Enter a job title or keyword
Staff Project Engineer, UAS Development
Job Location:
Job Location:
San Diego, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 165000 - 185000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (Yesterday)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
Staff Project Engineer UAS Development
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
The Senior Staff Project Engineer UAS Development is responsible for leading and coordinating the technical development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) throughout the entire product lifecycle: from initial prototype development including conceptual design to first flight through productionization. This utilizes strong engineering fundamentals and efficient technical program execution to deliver safe reliable and innovative UAS platforms.
In addition to individual-contributor program execution the Senior Staff Project Engineer is expected to build the functional processes and best practices that make UAS program execution repeatable across the team not just for their own programs.
What Youll Do
Project Leadership & Integration:
- Manage technical maturity ensuring alignment with program timelines and budgets.
- Lead and coordinate program reviews from conceptual design reviews through production readiness reviews.
- Coordinate across multidisciplinary teams including aero-performance mechanical engineering electrical engineering autonomy software flight testing and payload integration.
- Translate system specifications into derived requirements and manage system-level architecture and interfaces.
Technical Oversight & Systems Engineering:
- Provide peer reviews for technical deliverables such as stress analyses and flight test plans.
- Ensure all subsystems (flight control navigation communication propulsion etc.) are effectively integrated and tested.
- Map verification and validation methods to requirements.
- Communicate technical risks throughappropriate stakeholders.
Building Functional Processes & Best Practices:
- Own the systems engineering practices digital engineering tools and agile execution structures used across UAS programs. These will be a reusable standard for the team.
- Establish repeatable templates and entry/exit criteria for design and program reviews so review qualitydoesntdepend onwhosrunning it.
- Build andmaintainconfiguration management andinterfacecontrol practices that scale as program count and team size grow.
- Capture lessons learned from each development cycle and convert them into concrete process changes checklists or tooling.
- Identifyrecurring cross-functional friction points (e.g. handoffs between design manufacturing and flight test) and design lightweight processes to close them.
- Partner with engineering leadership to decide where formal process adds value versus where it slows down iteration. This role is expected to professionalize execution without over-processing a fast-moving org.
Testing & Certification:
- Support development of cross-functional input to test plans test procedures and data analysis for UAS verification and validation.
- Ensure airworthiness safety and compliance with relevant UAS standards and operational guidelines (e.g. Part 107 or COA).
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Interface with internal teams suppliers customers and government agencies to align expectations and ensure project success.
- Prepare and deliver project reports risk assessments and technical presentations to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering or related field (Masters preferred).
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- 12 years of experience in aerospace development with at least 3 years in a Project Engineer or equivalent technical program execution role.
- Experience in aircraft architecture airframe development or aircraft software development. Experience with flight controls communications or payload integration highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience building or substantially improving an engineering process (e.g. design review structure configuration management verification planning)not just following an existing one.
- Ability to work in fast-paced evolving environments with rapid development cycles.
- Deep understanding of first order principles demonstrated by hand calculations of statics and mechanics.
- Proficient in systems engineering and technical program execution methodologies.
- Familiar with CAD and simulation tools (e.g. SolidWorks MATLAB/Simulink).
- Strong organizational problem-solving and cross-functional communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- 15years of experience in aerospace development.
- 5 years in unmanned aerial systems or autonomous platforms.
- Prior experience mentoring or informally leading engineers even without a formal management title.
- Privatepilot home-buildaircraft or RC buildaircraftexperiencehighlydesirable.
- Understanding of autonomy AI/ML integration or edge computing for UAS.
- Familiarity with DoD NASA or commercial UAS programs.
- Knowledge of UAS regulatory frameworks (FAA Part 107 or COA) and airworthiness requirements.
Work Environment
This role is based in San Diego CA.
We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offerpackage where appropriate.
Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically within a calendar year in support of field operations integration events customer support and testing.
Compensation
US Salary Range: $165000 $185000 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 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 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 a holiday hiatus 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.
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 dont hesitate to reach out to us at so we can provide the support you need
Required Experience:
Staff IC
