Firestorm
About the Role
Firestorm is seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team in developing next-generation UAV systems. You will be responsible for the design and analysis of critical flight structures and mechanism design, as well as build efforts for Firestorm's product line. You will work closely with a fast-moving team to ensure mission-critical hardware is delivered on time and meets demanding technical performance. What You’ll Do
Support mechanical design efforts for key UAV subsystems across the entire product lifecycle: concept, prototyping, testing, production, and field support. Develop innovative, manufacturable mechanical designs optimized for UAV flight performance under varying operational conditions, ensuring structural, thermal, and functional requirements are met. 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. Validate and optimize designs using hand calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and physical testing. Drive high-cadence iterative design cycles, supporting rapid prototyping and cross-functional design reviews to incorporate test feedback and continuously improve hardware. Collaborate with electrical engineers, flight-test engineers, and manufacturing teams to integrate mechanical and electromechanical systems, including servos, pumps, sensors, cameras, PCBAs, wiring harnesses, and connectors. Support technical reviews and contribute to design decisions, ensuring robust engineering practices and adherence to program requirements. Support rapid prototyping with hands-on experience building functional prototypes in a shop environment, iterating designs based on test results. Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical issues through root cause analysis and implement corrective actions. Contribute to configuration management and documentation control, maintaining clear versioning of CAD files, assemblies, and design revisions. Build engineering rigor by contributing to company-wide best practices, including CAD standards, documentation protocols, and hardware management processes. Write build documentation and collaborate hands-on with technicians during hardware integration and assembly. Support DFM efforts, working with internal and external manufacturing teams to refine parts and processes—including additive manufacturing, CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and composite tooling and fixturing. Leverage additive manufacturing and traditional fabrication methods to produce high-performance UAV components. Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. Minimum of 3 years of mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft design. Hands-on design engineering experience with design-for-manufacturability (DFM) principles. Experience in SolidWorks, including surfacing, top-down design, and advanced modeling techniques, plus strong knowledge of GD&T principles. Strong foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals—structures, fluid systems, thermal management, and mechanisms. 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
5+ years of professional mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft design and analysis. Hands-on experience with UAV or aircraft systems, including rotary- and fixed-wing platforms. Experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting UAVs. Familiarity with electrical wiring practices and AC/DC power systems. Experience with configuration management practices for CAD and documentation control. Familiarity with designing injection-molded components or polymer-based additive manufacturing techniques. Work Environment
Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA. On-site presence is required. 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. Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record to support offsite flight operations and testing. Ability to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as needed. Compensation
US Salary Range: $95,000 - $140,000 USD. The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on various compensation factors. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change with market conditions. Benefits & Perks
We offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for career growth, including: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan Equity grants for new hires Unlimited PTO Generous holiday calendar and parental leave Lifestyle Spending Account, FSA, DCFSA, HSA Life, disability, and other insurance coverage Mental health resources and additional work-life services Equal Opportunity
Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic.
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Firestorm is seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team in developing next-generation UAV systems. You will be responsible for the design and analysis of critical flight structures and mechanism design, as well as build efforts for Firestorm's product line. You will work closely with a fast-moving team to ensure mission-critical hardware is delivered on time and meets demanding technical performance. What You’ll Do
Support mechanical design efforts for key UAV subsystems across the entire product lifecycle: concept, prototyping, testing, production, and field support. Develop innovative, manufacturable mechanical designs optimized for UAV flight performance under varying operational conditions, ensuring structural, thermal, and functional requirements are met. 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. Validate and optimize designs using hand calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and physical testing. Drive high-cadence iterative design cycles, supporting rapid prototyping and cross-functional design reviews to incorporate test feedback and continuously improve hardware. Collaborate with electrical engineers, flight-test engineers, and manufacturing teams to integrate mechanical and electromechanical systems, including servos, pumps, sensors, cameras, PCBAs, wiring harnesses, and connectors. Support technical reviews and contribute to design decisions, ensuring robust engineering practices and adherence to program requirements. Support rapid prototyping with hands-on experience building functional prototypes in a shop environment, iterating designs based on test results. Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical issues through root cause analysis and implement corrective actions. Contribute to configuration management and documentation control, maintaining clear versioning of CAD files, assemblies, and design revisions. Build engineering rigor by contributing to company-wide best practices, including CAD standards, documentation protocols, and hardware management processes. Write build documentation and collaborate hands-on with technicians during hardware integration and assembly. Support DFM efforts, working with internal and external manufacturing teams to refine parts and processes—including additive manufacturing, CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and composite tooling and fixturing. Leverage additive manufacturing and traditional fabrication methods to produce high-performance UAV components. Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. Minimum of 3 years of mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft design. Hands-on design engineering experience with design-for-manufacturability (DFM) principles. Experience in SolidWorks, including surfacing, top-down design, and advanced modeling techniques, plus strong knowledge of GD&T principles. Strong foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals—structures, fluid systems, thermal management, and mechanisms. 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
5+ years of professional mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft design and analysis. Hands-on experience with UAV or aircraft systems, including rotary- and fixed-wing platforms. Experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting UAVs. Familiarity with electrical wiring practices and AC/DC power systems. Experience with configuration management practices for CAD and documentation control. Familiarity with designing injection-molded components or polymer-based additive manufacturing techniques. Work Environment
Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA. On-site presence is required. 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. Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record to support offsite flight operations and testing. Ability to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as needed. Compensation
US Salary Range: $95,000 - $140,000 USD. The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on various compensation factors. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change with market conditions. Benefits & Perks
We offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for career growth, including: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan Equity grants for new hires Unlimited PTO Generous holiday calendar and parental leave Lifestyle Spending Account, FSA, DCFSA, HSA Life, disability, and other insurance coverage Mental health resources and additional work-life services Equal Opportunity
Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic.
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