Staff Electrical Engineer - Weapons

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Equity grants for new hires

Unlimited PTO

Generous holiday schedule

Job summary

Firestorm is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to own ESAD/ESAF electrical design, integration, test, and certification across munitions platforms. You will manage energy storage, arming logic, environmental sensing, and safety features, ensuring inert operation until armed and compliant through field deployment.

You’ll drive interface definitions, ICD documentation, and rigorous testing, collaborating with software, mechanical, and external partners while aligning with DoD standards and ITAR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; equivalent experience accepted.
• 7+ years electrical engineering experience, 3+ years in safe-and-arm, fuzing, or munitions firing electronics.
• Hands-on experience designing firing-set or initiation electronics.
• Knowledge of fuze safety criteria and MIL‑STD‑1316.
• Familiarity with environmental, EMI/EMC, and HERO considerations for ordnance electronics.
• Strong communication and ability to interface with multiple departments.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical owner for ESAD/ESAF integration across Firestorm munition payloads.
• Design firing-set electronics including energy storage and charge/fire circuitry.
• Architect arming and safety logic with environmental sensing and arming features.
• Develop schematic capture, PCB layout, and mixed-signal designs.
• Define electrical interfaces via ICDs between ESAD/ESAF, flight controller, payload bus, and host platform.
• Lead environmental, EMI/EMC, and HERO analysis and testing.
• Plan and execute test campaigns across bench, environmental, ground, and flight situations.
• Ensure compliance with DoD fuze safety standards and ITAR.
• Lead or support Fuze Safety Review Board qualification efforts.
• Present technical material at design reviews and certifications.
• Coordinate with embedded software, mechanical, and payload teams and partners.

Skills

Electrical design

System integration

Test & validation

Safety standards

Technical communication

Security clearance readiness

FSRB qualification awareness

ESAD/ESAF design experience

Initiation electronics

Project collaboration tools (Jira/Confl

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Mixed-signal design

Jira

Confluence

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 - our deployable microfactory - our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable, adaptable, and producible at the point of need.

We are looking for builders, operators, and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.

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 payloads 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 30lbs

Firestorm is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions. Our culture at Firestorm fosters collaboration, respect, and trust to empower passionate people to do their best work.We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

Compensation

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

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision 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 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. 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.

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.

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.