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Senior Quality, Test & Evaluation Engineer
FirestormSan Diego, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 14 Apr 2026
💰 $183,000/yr($142,000/yr – $183,000/yr)
About the role
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 Quality, Test & Evaluation (QTE) Engineer to own system-level testing, build quality control, and deployment readiness for the xCell program. This role works directly with the engineer and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure xCell systems meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements from initial build through field sustainment. This position is hands-on and execution-driven. You will define how we verify xCell performance, lead acceptance and validation testing, resolve quality issues, and drive continuous improvement into both current and next-generation xCell designs. What You’ll Do
Required Qualifications
- Develop, maintain, and execute system-level Verification & Validation (V&V) plans, test procedures, and acceptance criteria for xCell platforms.
- Lead build acceptance and system readiness reviews, determining whether units are cleared for deployment or require rework.
- Conduct hands-on system inspections and functional testing of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and power subsystems.
- Own nonconformance identification, documentation, and resolution, driving corrective actions to closure with Engineering and Operations.
- Perform root cause analysis and define preventive measures that feed back into design and build processes.
- Coordinate supplier quality activities, verifying delivered components and assemblies meet specification and reliability expectations.
- Maintain configuration traceability across system variants, updates, and field retrofits.
- Capture operational and field feedback to guide design improvements in future xCell revisions.
- Support and help lead test readiness and deployment readiness events.
Required Qualifications
- U.S. Citizen or U.S. permanent resident capable of obtaining and maintaining a DoD security clearance.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Industrial Engineering (or related).
- 5–9 years of experience in hardware test, system integration test, or quality engineering roles.
- Demonstrated experience owning test planning, execution, results documentation, and corrective action decision-making.
- Hands-on troubleshooting and inspection experience across mechanical and electrical assemblies.
- Comfortable working in integrated build environments and coordinating across engineering, operations, and suppliers.
- Experience with deployable or containerized systems, environmental controls, or industrial power equipment.
- Familiarity with AS9100, ISO9001, MIL-STD test methods, or government acceptance criteria.
- Experience supporting field testing or operational sustainment activities.
- Engineering Management, PMP, Six Sigma, or reliability engineering certification a plus (not required).
- Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA
- Travel up to 30% (domestic and international) to support supplier visits, deployments, and field operations.
- Ability to lift up to 30 lbs and perform physical system setup and testing tasks.
- Ability to understand and adhere to all company policies, safety standards, and applicable labor regulations.
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