Mechanical Engineering Senior Manager

San Diego, CASenior$190,000 - $210,00010+ years

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

As the Mechanical Engineering Manager at Firestorm, you will lead the mechanical engineering team responsible for the airframes, structures, mechanisms, and integration hardware that make up our sUAS platforms. You will own the technical direction, execution, and growth of a team that spans our main product lines, partnering with electrical engineering, propulsion, payloads, and manufacturing to deliver producible, qualified aircraft on aggressive timelines.

This is both a technical leadership role and a people leadership role. You will set design standards, drive change control, and represent mechanical engineering in cross-functional decision-making at the IPT and program level. Just as importantly, you will build the team: hiring, mentoring, and developing engineers at every level—creating the kind of environment where junior engineers grow into leaders and senior engineers do the best work of their careers.

What You'll Do

Technical Leadership

Set the technical direction for mechanical engineering across Firestorm's aircraft platforms—structures, mechanisms, integration, packaging, and production hardware.
Own design standards, drawing standards, and engineering documentation practices; ensure consistency and quality across the team's output.
Drive change control discipline: lead the team's participation in CCB, ECR/ECO workflows, and configuration management across Arena PLM.
Lead and participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR, structural reviews, production readiness reviews); provide technical judgment on trade studies and architecture decisions.
Partner with manufacturing and quality on producibility, DFM/DFA, first-article inspection, and disposition of non-conformances.
Represent mechanical engineering in cross-functional IPTs, customer technical interchanges, and program reviews.

People Leadership and Development

Lead, grow, and develop a multi-disciplinary mechanical engineering team spanning structures, mechanisms, GSE, and packaging.
Hire across all levels—from interns and new graduates to principal engineers—and build a pipeline of mechanical talent that scales with the company.
Mentor and develop early-career engineers: assign stretch work, run structured 1:1s, give honest feedback, and create clear paths from junior to senior contributor.
Coach senior engineers into technical leadership and IPT lead roles.
Set performance expectations, run performance reviews, and own compensation and leveling decisions for the team.
Build a team culture that values rigorous engineering, hands-on work, and personal ownership of outcomes.

Program Execution

Plan and resource mechanical engineering work across multiple programs; balance new development, sustaining engineering, and customer-driven changes.
Partner with program management to commit to schedules, identify risks, and deliver on milestones.
Drive productionization and transition from prototype to rate production across Firestorm's aircraft lines.
Support test and fielding events, including on-site presence for structural and integration test campaigns.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, with significant time in aerospace, defense, automotive, or comparable hardware-intensive industries
5+ years of direct people management experience, including hiring, performance management, and growing engineers from junior to senior levels
Demonstrated history of building and developing high-performing engineering teams—not just managing them
Deep technical credibility in mechanical design: structures, mechanisms, composites and/or metallic structures, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and DFM
Hands-on experience leading designs from concept through qualification and into production
Experience with change control, PLM systems (Arena, Windchill, Teamcenter, or equivalent), and configuration management at scale
Experience leading cross-functional integrated product teams (IPTs)
Strong communication skills—able to engage with engineers, executives, customers, and government stakeholders with equal effectiveness
Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic startup environment
U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading mechanical teams on sUAS, large aircraft, missile, or other SWaP-constrained airborne platforms
Experience scaling a hardware engineering team from prototype to rate production
Experience standing up or significantly improving change control / CCB processes
Track record of identifying and developing early-career engineers who have gone on to senior or principal-level roles

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 offer package where appropriate.
Domestic travel up to 10%, in support of test events.

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

US Salary Range: $190,000 – $210,000 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 careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.

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