Systems Engineer, Customer Integration (xCell)

Firestorm is looking for a Systems Engineer, Customer Integration (xCell) that can operate fluently in two worlds — sitting with a defense customer one day and translating what they actually need into engineering constraints the next. Someone who understands both the operational reality of the warfighter and the engineering tradeoffs required to serve them well. This is not your typical systems engineering position.

You’ll be a key conduit from our customer-facing teams and customers into xCell design and planning, and an equally important conduit on the realm of the possible from the xCell team back out to the customer. That means you can articulate tradeoffs and constraints clearly to both sides — and help drive the best possible answer regardless of which side of the table you’re sitting at.

If you want to spend your time in a large program office working minutiae and moving PowerPoints, this isn’t the right place. If you want to build things that matter, work directly with the people who use them, and help shape what gets built next — keep reading.

What You’ll Do

• Customer integration — serve as the primary technical interface between xCell and our customer-facing teams, translating operational requirements into engineering inputs and communicating engineering tradeoffs and capabilities back to the customer in terms they can act on
• Requirements definition — engage directly with defense customers to capture real operational requirements, decompose them into actionable engineering inputs, and ensure they’re reflected in xCell design and planning throughout the development cycle
• Systems engineering contribution — work closely with the xCell engineering team to help define system architecture, interfaces, and constraints across xCell variants; participate in trade studies that sit at the intersection of what the customer needs and what the engineering team can deliver
• New product development — contribute to xCell NPD/I efforts from concept through production, bringing systems thinking across mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and software interfaces with a customer lens embedded throughout
• Sustaining engineering support — when something breaks in the field or fails to deliver as advertised, work closely with the xCell engineering team to help drive solutions — your customer context helps the team understand why it matters and what good looks like
• BD and program support — work alongside Mission Success and BD teams on customer engagements, site visits, and program development; help translate xCell capabilities into language that resonates with operators and program managers
• Tradeoff communication — help bridge the conversation on constraints, design decisions, and engineering tradeoffs that cross the boundary between customer expectations and engineering reality; make sure both sides have what they need to make good decisions
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or related field. In lieu of a degree 10 years of progressive relative experience in the engineering field.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
• 7 years of hands-on hardware development experience — concept through production, not just analysis
• Systems engineering mindset — you can hold requirements, tradeoffs, and interfaces in your head simultaneously and communicate them clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Direct experience working with defense customers in operational or technical capacities — you understand how they think, what they need, and how to communicate with them
• Proficiency with CAD and PLM tools
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 or equivalent defense hardware standards
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Military service background — you’ve been on the customer side of this equation and you know what operational context actually means
• Experience with SolidWorks
• Experience supporting BD efforts including ROMs, BOEs, or customer-facing technical briefings
• Additive manufacturing or ruggedized hardware development background
• Experience with requirements management tools and systems engineering methodologies (MBSE, SysML, etc.)
  
  

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.
• Travel up to 25%, including CONUS and OCONUS customer sites
  
  

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

US Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July, & December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
  
  

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.