Senior Manager, Flight Test Engineering

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

At Firestorm, we are building autonomous aerial systems that operate where they are needed most, when they are needed most. Our mission requires speed, ingenuity, and a relentless commitment to engineering excellence. Firestorm is seeking a Senior Manager to lead our Flight Test team & drive execution and coordination across the full development lifecycle of our unmanned aerial systems.
As the Senior Manager of Flight Test Engineering at Firestorm Labs, you will lead the team responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating the flight test activities that validate our autonomous aerial systems. You will mentor, develop, and guide a high-performing group of flight test engineers, setting technical direction while fostering a culture of accountability, curiosity, and operational excellence. While you will collaborate closely with Flight Test Operations, your core ownership is the engineering strategy behind test design, system integration, instrumentation, and data analysis.
In this role, you will shape the engineering roadmap for flight testing, partner cross-functionally to resolve complex integration challenges, and build processes that support rapid iteration without compromising safety or rigor. You’ll leverage deep experience with unmanned systems to translate development priorities into executable test plans, accelerate system maturation, and help deliver mission-ready capabilities that push the boundaries of autonomous aviation. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence across test activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize cross-functional collaboration to deliver mission-critical autonomous systems that transform defense capabilities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead both the Flight Test Engineering Team, providing technical guidance, and leadership.
• Establish and refine flight test methodologies for evaluating mission autonomy capabilities using surrogate vehicles in fast-paced test environments
• Develop long-term capacity planning for flight test capabilities to support future product initiatives and company growth
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Product, Engineering and Program Management to align test strategies with product development roadmaps
• Cultivate a strong organizational foundation focused on safety standards, regulatory adherence, and performance
• Ensure compliance with FAA and other regulatory requirements throughout all flight test operations
• Collaborate with government entities and private companies to execute complex test events that meet all stakeholder requirements
• Manage resource allocation, budgeting, and scheduling for flight test campaigns across multiple programs
• Create and implement standardized processes, metrics, and KPIs to measure test effectiveness and drive continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in testing unmanned aerial systems with at least 5 years in a leadership position
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
• Proven expertise in both software and hardware integration for complex autonomous systems
• Demonstrated success leading flight test operations as a Test Director for mission-critical platforms
• Strong understanding of aviation regulations and compliance requirements for unmanned systems
• Experience managing technical teams with diverse skill sets across operations and engineering
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities for troubleshooting complex hardware and software issues
• Outstanding communication skills for conveying technical concepts to stakeholders at all levels
• Flexibility to adapt to dynamic schedules and willingness to travel