Quality Engineer, NPI

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 an NPI Quality Engineer to help ensure our new products are introduced successfully into production with robust quality designs, reliable processes, compliant documentation and effective risk management. In this role, you will serve as the quality representative, collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams throughout the product development process.
You’ll help identify risks early, catch potential issues before they become problems, and make sure every product meets our high standards. This is a hands-on, collaborative role where your work directly impacts the success of our products and the confidence of our teams. You will also drive lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives, helping Firestorm deliver products our customers can trust while fostering a culture of quality, across the entire company. What You'll Do

• Participate in all phases of the NPI process, including design reviews, process development, validation, prototype and pilot builds
• Work with engineering to gather product information and develop quality plans, inspection criteria and methods, and control strategies for new products
• Conduct risk analyses (FMEA, DFMEA, PFMEA) and ensure mitigation actions are implemented and verified
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify issues and opportunities in the product development process
• Partner with design, manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure quality standards are integrated into the product, and process design
• Review and approve first article inspections (FAI), PPAP submissions, and validation reports
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for NPI-related quality issues
• Support process capability studies and ensure statistical control methods are applied
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives into future NPI programs
• Provide quality training and guidance to cross-functional teams

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive quality and manufacturing experience
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations
• Demonstrated experience with FMEAs, control plans, PPAPs, and ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 quality systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Working knowledge of GD&T, design for manufacturability (DFM), and process validation
• Solid working knowledge of aerospace or industrial quality and inspection systems and quality engineering techniques, with an emphasis on root cause analysis
• Clear and professional communication with technical and non-technical users
• Effective collaborator with the ability to work across engineering disciplines and supporting business verticals

 Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., Costpoint) and PLM systems (e.g., Arena) is highly desirable.
• Experience in an early-stage tech or startup environment
• Ability to influence change and adapt processes as business needs evolve
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, fast-paced operations in a dynamic environment

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. and wear appropriate PPE [as required].
• PPE is provided; adherence to all safety protocols and environmental controls is mandatory.
• Occasional travel may be required (up to 5%)

 Work Environment

• This is an on-site role 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 pac