Jobs and Careers
FI
Junior Project Engineer
FirestormSan Diego, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 27 Jun 2026
💰 $115,000/yr($90,000/yr – $115,000/yr)
About the role
Firestorm is looking for a Junior Project Engineer, xCell. This is a great early career if you want to get your hands into real defense hardware programs without spending your first few years buried in a single narrow task. You’ll work directly alongside our Technical Program Manager and xCell engineering team — keeping programs on track, chasing down technical details, and contributing real engineering work along the way.
You’ll be a force multiplier for a lean, fast-moving team. That means one day you’re updating a project schedule and tracking open actions, and the next you’re working with a supplier on a quote or building a 3D model to support a design decision. If you want early exposure to how defense hardware programs actually run — from the engineering bench to the customer — this is the right place to start.
What You’ll Do
- Program support — work closely with our Technical Program Manager to maintain project schedules, track milestones and action items, and keep DRIs accountable to commitments across xCell programs
- Engineering support — assist xCell engineers with technical tasks including creating 3D models and 2D drawings, chasing down technical details, and helping resolve open engineering questions
- Supplier interaction — support the team with quote requests, supplier follow-ups, and supplier communications; help ensure the information the engineering team needs gets back to them quickly
- Cross-functional coordination — work across engineering, manufacturing, and program teams to help keep information flowing and actions moving
- Customer and supplier site visits — participate in select customer and supplier interactions to build your understanding of the operational and commercial environment xCell operates in (approximately 10% travel)
- Documentation and reporting — help maintain accurate program documentation, meeting notes, and status reporting that keeps the broader team informed
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Systems, Industrial, or related field)
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
- 2+ years of experience ideally, but we’re open to strong recent graduates and early-career engineers alike
- Organized and detail-oriented — you close loops, track your own actions, and don’t let things fall through the cracks
- Technically curious — you’re comfortable digging into engineering details and asking the right questions to get what the team needs
- Strong communicator — you can work across functions and levels without losing clarity
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with project management tools (Jira, MS Project, or equivalent)
- SolidWorks or other CAD experience
- Experience with supplier interactions or procurement support
- Interest in defense, manufacturing, or hardware development
Why This Role, Why Now
xCell is building something that doesn’t exist anywhere else — deployable manufacturing at the point of need. The engineers and program professionals who join now will grow with the program and have a hand in shaping what comes next. If you’re early in your career and want real responsibility from day one, let’s talk.
Work Environment
- Based onsite at our San Diego, CA. Headquarters
- We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
- Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically & internationally
This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and may involve exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE). 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, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.
Compensation
- Base salary: $90,000 - $115,000 base, commensurate with experience
- Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company
The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compen
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