Project Engineer, Weapons

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 building next-generation, deployable combat systems and we’re looking for a Project Engineer, to join our Payloads Group. In this role, you’ll lead the design, integration, test, and certification of kinetic and non-kinetic effectors on our tactical sUAS platforms, ensuring safe, effective, and compliant weapons employment from concept through field deployment.
This role will take ownership of the full weapons integration lifecycle, managing everything from safing/fuzing to release systems, interface documentation and live-fire testing. This isn’t about developing theoretical capabilities for a future that never arrives; it’s about fielding mission-ready payloads that operators will carry into live environments. You’ll work at the intersection of warfighter intent and technical execution, balancing rigor with agility, and compliance with tactical need. From loitering munitions to emerging payloads, you’ll help shape a flexible and scalable effects architecture that brings precision to the squad level and beyond.
This is a role for engineers who think like tacticians, sweat the details, and thrive in a fast-moving, multi-disciplinary environment.  What You’ll Do

• Serve as the technical lead for munition-related efforts, including integration, testing, and certification of kinetic and non-kinetic payloads on sUAS platforms.
• Develop and manage system- and subsystem-level requirements for munitions, release systems, and stores management, with an emphasis on modularity and scalability.
• Contribute to system architecture design and analysis; troubleshoot conflicting design or integration requirements across payload, airframe, and control systems.
• Oversee the physical and electrical integration of weapons, including mounting solutions, safety mechanisms, and interface control documentation (ICDs).
• Plan and execute test campaigns across lab, ground, and flight environments—supporting test readiness reviews, live-fire events, and post-test data analysis.
• Ensure all munition systems comply with DoD safety, airworthiness, and export regulations (e.g., MIL-STD, AFMAN, ITAR).
• Develop and present technical material at internal and external design reviews, customer meetings, and certification milestones.
• Coordinate with external partners on warhead design, guidance packages, fuzing systems, and energetic materials.
• Lead or support the development of Explosive Safety Submissions (ESS), range safety documentation, and coordination with range authorities.
• Provide technical direction to internal design, integration, and test teams throughout the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with program managers to align technical execution with program objectives, schedules, and constraints.
• Interface with customers, government stakeholders, and vendors to ensure delivery of operationally relevant and technically sound weapon systems.
• Support proposal efforts, white papers, and early-phase concept development for future munitions capabilities.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Weapons Engineering, Physics or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience, including at least 3 years directly supporting weapons or munitions integration.
• Alternatively,  in lieu of a degree, 10+ years of military service in an ordnance-related specialty (e.g., EOD, Aviation Ordnanceman, Weapons Troop, or similar munitions roles).
• Direct experience with integration or employment of air-delivered munitions, weapons release systems, or loitering munitions, preferably on Group 2–4 UAS or manned platforms.
• Working knowledge of MIL-STD-1760, safing/fuzing mechanisms, weapons release hardware, and applicable DoD safety/certification protocols.
• Familiarity with range safety procedures, explosive hazard classifications, and test range coordination.
• Strong communication, presentatio