Staff Electrical Engineer - Weapons

Firestorm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Unlimited PTO

Equity grants for new hires

Job summary

Firestorm is looking for a Senior Electrical Engineer in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will own the electrical design and integration of Electronic Safe-and-Arm Devices for our tactical sUAS platforms. Your work will ensure systems are safe until the right conditions are met and functions reliably.

You will lead design efforts, ensuring compliance with DoD fuze safety standards while collaborating with various teams. We're seeking engineers who thrive in fast-paced environments and prioritize safety.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of electrical engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience with firing-set electronics.
• Strong knowledge of MIL-STD safety design criteria.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical ownership for ESAD/ESAF integration.
• Design firing-set electronics and arming logic.
• Ensure compliance with DoD safety standards.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Circuit Design

Safety Standards Compliance

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Jira

PCB Design Software

Job description

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive, too slow to produce, and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that. We develop mission‑adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell—the deployable microfactory—our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable, adaptable, and producible at the point of need.

About The Role

Firestorm is building next‑generation, deployable combat systems, and we’re looking for a Senior Electrical Engineer to join our Munitions Group. In this role, you’ll own the electrical design, integration, test, and certification of Electronic Safe‑and‑Arm Devices (ESAD) and Electronic Safe‑Arm‑and‑Fire (ESAF) systems across our tactical sUAS platforms—ensuring every effector stays inert until intentionally armed, functions reliably on command, and remains compliant from concept through field deployment.

This role sits at the heart of how our munitions are made safe. You’ll architect and integrate the firing electronics, energy storage and management, environmental sensing, and arming logic that keep weapons inert until the right conditions are met—then deliver precise, repeatable function on command. One day may fly by on schematic capture and PCB layout for a proposed firing set; the next may be lab characterization of arm/fire sequences, or range support evaluating effect on target. From interface control documentation and preliminary design reviews to Fuze Safety Review Board qualification, you’ll be the technical owner who turns rigorous safety requirements into fielded, mission‑ready hardware. You’ll work at the intersection of warfighter intent and technical execution, balancing rigor with agility, and compliance with tactical need.

This career is for electrical engineers who treat safety as a discipline, sweat the details, and thrive in a fast‑moving, multi‑disciplinary environment.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the technical owner for ESAD/ESAF integration across Firestorm munition payloads—leading electrical design, integration, test, and certification on sUAS platforms.
• Design firing‑set electronics—including energy storage and management, charge/fire circuitry, and initiation interfaces for electric initiators.
• Architect arming and safety logic—including independent environmental sensing and arming features—to satisfy fuze design safety criteria and prevent inadvertent function.
• Develop schematic capture, PCB layout, and mixed‑signal designs, addressing signal integrity, power integrity, and reliability across the full operating envelope.
• Define and document the electrical interfaces between the ESAD/ESAF, flight controller, payload bus, and host platform via Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Lead environmental, EMI/EMC, and HERO (Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance) analysis and testing to ensure safe operation in the deployed electromagnetic environment.
• Plan and execute test campaigns across bench, environmental, ground, and flight environments—supporting test readiness reviews, arm/fire sequence characterization, and post‑test data analysis.
• Ensure all safe‑and‑arm designs comply with applicable DoD fuze safety standards (e.g., MIL‑STD‑1316, MIL‑STD‑1901, STANAG 4187) and applicable airworthiness and export regulations (e.g., ITAR).
• Lead or support Fuze Safety Review Board (FSRB) qualification efforts, including safety assessments, hazard analyses, and qualification test documentation.
• Develop and present technical material at internal and external design reviews, customer meetings, and certification milestones.
• Coordinate with embedded software, mechanical, and payload teams—and with external partners on initiation systems, fuzing, and energetic materials—to close the full effector chain.
• Collaborate with program managers to align technical execution with program objectives, schedules, and constraints, and support proposals, white papers, and early‑phase concept development for future safe‑and‑arm and fuzing capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, or a related STEM field — or equivalent engineering experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 7 years of electrical engineering experience, including at least 3 years directly supporting safe‑and‑arm, fuzing, or munitions firing electronics.
• Hands‑on experience designing firing‑set or initiation electronics—energy storage and management, charge/fire circuitry, and electric initiator interfaces.
• Working knowledge of fuze and weapon safety design criteria, including MIL‑STD‑1316 and related safe‑and‑arm standards.
• Familiarity with environmental, EMI/EMC, and HERO considerations for ordnance electronics.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interface with other departments and represent the organization as a prime technical contact.
• Customer‑focused mindset with the ability to formulate and implement plans to resolve technical engineering problems.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience designing ESAD/ESAF systems for guided munitions, loitering munitions, or air‑delivered weapons.
• Experience taking a safe‑and‑arm device through Fuze Safety Review Board (FSRB) qualification.
• Hands‑on experience with electric initiation systems such as exploding bridgewire (EBW), exploding foil initiators (EFI), or hot‑wire devices.
• Working knowledge of MIL‑STD‑1901, MIL‑STD‑1911, STANAG 4187, and related fuze safety and interoperability standards.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools, mixed‑signal design, and electrical bring‑up and debug of prototype hardware.
• Experience collaborating closely with embedded software/firmware teams on arming logic and built‑in test.
• Familiarity with Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) and store/payload interface standards.
• Experience working with DoD customers or within the defense acquisition environment.
• Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, or similar project tracking tools.
• Hands‑on field experience supporting ground or flight test of UAS platforms or weapon systems.
• Experience working with military range authorities and supporting Explosive Safety Submissions (ESS).
• Active DoD security clearance.

Work Environment

• Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, both CONUS and OCONUS.
• PPE is provided; adherence to all safety protocols and environmental controls is mandatory.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.

Compensation

US Salary Range: $170,000 - $220,000 USD.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Equity grants for new hires.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November & 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. Option to purchase additional life insurance.
• Mental health resources: free mental health resources 24/7, free legal and financial support.

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.

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.

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail].