Senior Manufacturing Engineer, New Product Introduction (NPI)

Roboticsconnected; San Diego (CA); In loco; USD 125.000 - 145.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) retirement plan

Equity grants

Unlimited PTO

Generous holiday schedule

Parental leave

Lifestyle Spending Account

FSA/DCFSA/HSA

Descrizione del lavoro

Firestorm is building mission-adaptive UAV platforms and seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to transition designs into scalable production. You will work closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams to develop processes, tooling, and documentation, spending substantial time on the production floor.

You will ensure manufacturability, supports First Article inspections, and contributes to FMEA and control plans within the NPI team.

Competenze

• Bachelor-level degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent.
• U.S. Person status per ITAR: citizen or eligible resident.
• 3+ years in manufacturing or production engineering.
• Experience scaling prototype to first run production.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Experience with common manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, assembly, composites).
• Experience with 2D/3D CAD software.
• Ability to create effective work instructions.
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, and operations.

Mansioni

• Analyze drawings/3D models for manufacturability and flag tolerances, materials, or process concerns.
• Create clear, visual work instructions with step-by-step procedures and acceptance criteria.
• Design assembly fixtures/jigs focusing on repeatability and error-proofing.
• Spend significant time on the production floor supporting setup, debugging, and hands-on problem solving.
• Support First Article Inspection activities per AS9102 and balloon drawings.
• Contribute to process FMEA and control plan development within the NPI team.
• Develop/test production acceptance and functional verification procedures.
• Collect and analyze manufacturing data (cycle time, yield, defects) for continuous improvement.
• Perform root cause analysis on nonconformances using structured problem solving.
• Maintain ITAR and CUI compliance across docs and data.

Conoscenze

DFM/DFA analysis

CAD software

GD&T interpretation

Work instructions

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing processes

Production floor hands-on

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Strumenti

3D CAD software

ERP/MRP/PLM systems

CMM/calipers/micrometers

Descrizione del lavoro

Firestorm is building mission-adaptive UAV platforms designed for rapid deployment and scalable production. As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, New Production Introduction (NPI), you will support the transition of early designs into production-ready systems, helping scale from prototype builds to low-rate production.

This is a hands‑on role where you will work closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams to develop manufacturing processes, tooling, and documentation. You will spend meaningful time on the production floor, learning by doing and contributing directly to how products are built. We are looking for someone who is curious, detail-oriented, and eager to grow. You enjoy being close to hardware, solving problems in real time, and building a strong foundation in manufacturing engineering within a fast-paced environment.

What You’ll Do

• Support DFM and DFA reviews by analyzing drawings and 3D models for manufacturability, flagging tolerance, material, or process concerns
• Develop and maintain clear, visual work instructions with step-by-step procedures and accept and reject criteria
• Assist in designing assembly fixtures and jigs with a focus on repeatability and error-proofing
• Spend significant time on the production floor supporting process setup, debugging, and hands‑on problem solving
• Support First Article Inspection activities per AS9102, including balloon drawings and documentation
• Contribute to process FMEA and control plan development as part of the NPI team
• Help develop and execute test procedures for production acceptance and functional verification
• Collect and analyze manufacturing data such as cycle time, yield, and defects to support continuous improvement
• Assist with root cause analysis on manufacturing nonconformances using structured problem-solving methods
• Maintain ITAR and CUI compliance across manufacturing documentation and data
• Perform other duties as required

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering or equivalent degree.
• 'U.S. Person' as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62 required due to ITAR regulations, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), or protected individuals under asylee or refugee status
• 3+ years of working in a manufacturing or production engineering environment
• Experience scaling from prototype to first run production
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T
• Experience with common manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, assembly, or composites
• Experience working with 2D and/or 3D CAD software
• Experience creating effective work instructions
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, quality, and/or operations teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the defense or aerospace industry.
• Experience with
• SolidWorks
• Exposure to aerospace or defense manufacturing standards such as AS9100, AS9102, or MIL-STD
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles and basic Six Sigma concepts
• Experience with ERP, MRP, or PLM systems such as Arena or SAP
• Hands‑on experience with measurement tools such as CMMs, calipers, or micrometers, or with test equipment
• Experience with Python, Power BI, or similar tools for manufacturing metrics and data analysis
• Exposure to AI or LLM tools for documentation or engineering workflows
• IPC-A-610 or IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification; or willingness to obtain

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we're building toward a future defined by incontestable defense logistics. That means equipping warfighters with mission-critical capabilities at the point of need. Not in months, not from a depot halfway around the world, but now, in the field, on demand.

We're a VC-backed defense technology company pioneering an expeditionary manufacturing ecosystem that produces and sustains modular, mission‑adaptable unmanned systems, parts and components for repair and sustainment, and the software to transform point solutions into a network of strategic assets.

We're building a team of engineers, operators, and problem‑solvers who believe the future of deterrence cannot rely only on expensive, exquisite platforms made in centralized factories. We build and field affordable systems using distributed production capabilities at the edge. If you want to solve challenging problems that will reshape the future of defense, you're in the right place.

Work Environment

• Working onsite at our headquarters in San Diego, CA
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods throughout the workday, frequently moving across the production floor
• Exposure to moderate noise, temperature variation, and typical shop‑floor conditions
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and must be worn as required
• This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.

Compensation

Base salary:
$125,000 - $145,000 base, commensurate with experience

Equity:
Meaningful equity grant in a growth‑stage defense technology company

Benefits & Perks

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long‑term retirement goals
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including holiday hiatuses in July & December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Basic Life/AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work‑life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.
[e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.

Accommodations

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail] so we can provide the support you need.