Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at Firestorm

San Diego, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 Mar, 26

Salary

178000.0

Posted On

20 Dec, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Mechanical Design, Structural Analysis, 3D CAD, SolidWorks, Design-for-Manufacturability, FEA, Prototyping, Testing, Cross-Functional Collaboration, UAV Systems, Aerospace Technology, Electromechanical Systems, Weight Optimization, Cost Reduction, Agile Development, Configuration Management

Industry

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Description

Who We Are At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost. About the Role Firestorm is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our innovative engineering team in developing next-generation UAV systems. As a Mechanical Design Engineer at Firestorm, you will be responsible for the design, structural analysis, and build efforts of critical flight structures and mechanisms within our product line. You will be given ownership for the hardware product lifecycle of the airframe. You will be responsible for the design, analysis, and oversight of manufacturing and validation of primary structure. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in developing mechanical components and subsystems that satisfy demanding criteria for performance, manufacturability, and cost. Your expertise will bridge advanced aerospace technology and practical engineering as you collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, manufacturing, and flight-test teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical and electromechanical systems. In order to be successful in this role, you must be someone who is self-motivated, adaptable and is able to lead your own projects to completion in a fast-paced environment. Ideally, you have significant structural airframe design experience and a proven track record completing collaborative projects effectively. A successful candidate will have proven experience delivering high-performance, mass-optimized hardware in rapid development environments, with a strong foundation in both mechanical design and structural analysis. Proficiency in 3D CAD, first-order hand calculations, and higher order analysis methods will be key to driving innovative solutions that enhance our UAV platform capabilities. As an individual contributor, you will directly influence the technical direction of your designs and help shape engineering best practices across projects. You will be engaged in all phases of the development lifecycle, from early concepts and prototyping through rigorous testing and production, in a fast-moving, high-impact setting. What You’ll Do Lead mechanical design and structural analysis efforts for key UAV subsystems across the entire product lifecycle: concept, prototyping, testing, production, and field support. Develop innovative, manufacturable airframe designs optimized for UAV flight performance under varying operational conditions, ensuring structural, dynamic, thermal and functional requirements are met through rigorous analysis and validation. Analyze initial aerostructure designs against preliminary mass properties targets and strength and stiffness requirements. Create and maintain high-quality 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and manufacturing documentation using SolidWorks, emphasizing GD&T principles to ensure precision and manufacturability. Lead the structural mechanical design of aircraft primary and secondary structures in the airframe, from initial concept through production. Develop and champion innovative structural solutions to optimize weight, cost, and performance, often taking the lead on these efforts. Develop structural requirements, specifications, and test plans (DVP&R) with minimal guidance. Review of static & dynamic load inputs, material properties and test results. Independently perform analyses using FEA and hand calculations to predict performance under various loading conditions (static, dynamic, fatigue, etc.). Lead and oversee structural testing, expertly analyze test data, and take ownership of generating detailed test reports. Proactively investigate and resolve complex structural issues that arise during development and providing robust design solutions. Contribute to the development and improvement of structural analysis methodologies and best practices within the team. Drive high-cadence iterative design and analysis cycles, supporting rapid prototyping and cross-functional design reviews to incorporate test feedback promptly and continuously improve hardware through agile development processes. Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical engineers, flight-test engineers, and manufacturing teams to integrate complex mechanical and electromechanical systems, including servos, pumps, sensors, cameras, PCBAs, wiring harnesses, and connectors. Support technical reviews and contribute to design and analysis decisions, ensuring robust engineering practices and adherence to program requirements. Support rapid prototyping efforts with hands-on experience building functional prototypes in a shop environment, iterating designs based on real-world results and test data. Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical issues through root cause analysis and implement effective corrective actions. Contribute to configuration management and documentation control, maintaining clear versioning of CAD files, assemblies, and design revisions. Build and maintain engineering rigor by contributing to the development of company-wide best practices, including CAD standards, documentation protocols, and hardware management processes. Write detailed build documentation and collaborate hands-on with technicians during hardware integration and assembly. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline. 8+ years of mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft design. Minimum 3 year of hands-on experience in structural analysis. Strong foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals; structures, fluid systems, thermal management, and mechanisms. Hands-on design engineering experience, with proven application of design-for-manufacturability (DFM) principles. Experience analyzing primary and secondary aircraft structures using industry-standard tools and methods. Demonstrated ability to perform structural modeling and analysis of mechanical components and assemblies. Proficiency in first-order structural analysis and hand calculations, including free body diagrams, statics, and mechanics of materials. Experience in SolidWorks, including surfacing, top-down design, and advanced modeling techniques, plus strong knowledge of GD&T principles. Experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical systems, including PCBAs, wiring harnesses, and electromechanical components such as servos and sensors. Direct application of DFM and designing for additive, traditional, and composite manufacturing methods, including tooling and fixturing for composite assemblies. Must be a U.S. Person (citizen or permanent resident) and able to work on-site in San Diego. Preferred Qualifications 10+ years’ of professional mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft structural design, and analysis. 5+ of hands-on experience in structural analysis & in the design of primary and secondary aircraft structures. Background supporting the full hardware development lifecycle, including design, prototyping, testing, and production Demonstrated skill in correlating analytical results with physical test data and applying findings to improve design performance Familiarity with configuration management, version control practices for CAD, and engineering documentation control Familiarity with designing injection-molded components or polymer-based additive manufacturing techniques. Work Environment Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA This role requires an on-site presence Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs. and wear appropriate PPE [as required] Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically for testing and demonstrations Ability to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as needed Compensation US Salary Range: $136,000 - $178,000 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 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 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.

Responsibilities

Lead mechanical design and structural analysis efforts for UAV subsystems throughout the product lifecycle. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure integration of mechanical and electromechanical systems.