Staff Avionics Engineer: Lead UAS Hardware & Systems

Firestorm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Firestorm is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead avionics hardware development for Group 2 UAS. You will guide architecture, design, validation, production, and fleet support across cross-functional teams.

You will stay hands-on through schematic design, PCB bring-up, and system integration while driving risk mitigation and safety-critical hardware practices. This role centers on innovative, manufacturable aerospace electronics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years in electrical engineering, with avionics/UAS focus.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of analog and digital circuit design, PCB design, and avionics systems.
• Ability to oversee technical aspects of projects from concept to delivery.
• Experience leading technical projects or small teams in engineering.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on innovative solutions.
• Hands-on experience developing and validating safety-critical electromechanical systems.
• Strong foundation in electrical engineering and first-principles reasoning about hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, and development of avionics electrical systems for Group 2 UAS across multiple launch modalities.
• Remain hands-on through schematic design, PCB development, bring-up, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and design iteration.
• Lead aircraft-level integration, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions across avionics, payloads, flight controls, propulsion, and other subsystems.
• Define and execute system-level verification and validation to ensure hardware meets performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Partner across firmware, software, mechanical, thermal, test, reliability, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and program teams to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for design reviews, system integration, flight test, suppliers, customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Own and review engineering documentation, hardware changes, test procedures, configuration records, and compliance with applicable standards and company processes.
• Work with suppliers on component selection, technical evaluation, availability, quality, and production readiness.
• Identify technical risks, drive key engineering tradeoffs, improve engineering processes, and mentor the broader team.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Avionics

PCB design

Leadership

Problem solving

US Person

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

SPI controllers

ADC peripherals

Schematic design

Job description

Firestorm is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead avionics hardware development for Group 2 UAS. You will guide architecture, design, validation, production, and fleet support across cross-functional teams.

You will stay hands-on through schematic design, PCB bring-up, and system integration while driving risk mitigation and safety-critical hardware practices. This role centers on innovative, manufacturable aerospace electronics.