# Principal Airframe Design Engineer at Firestorm

- Company: Firestorm
- What the company does: Firestorm Labs - Democratize the fight with radically-affordable, mission-adaptable power for air, land, and sea. Backed by NEA.
- Company website: https://www.launchfirestorm.com/
- Type: Startups (AI role)
- Level: Principal and up
- Location: San Diego, United States
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $153K to $206K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-08-12
- Apply by: 2026-10-08
- Apply: https://jobs.gem.com/firestorm/am9icG9zdDq8MjVfJ1NRGMU1k1BryAhb
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/firestorm-principal-airframe-design-engineer/

## About the role

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.

## What they're looking for

- Lead mechanical design efforts for key UAV subsystems across the entire product lifecycle: concept, prototyping, testing, production, and field support
- Analyze initial aerostructure designs against preliminary mass properties targets and strength and stiffness requirements
- Create and maintain high-quality 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and manufacturing documentation using SolidWorks, emphasizing GD&T principles to ensure precision and manufacturability
- Lead the structural mechanical design of aircraft primary and secondary structures in the airframe, from initial concept through production
- Develop and champion innovative structural solutions to optimize weight, cost, and performance
- Develop structural requirements, specifications, and test plans (DVP&R)