# Staff Mechanical Engineer, Propulsion 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
- Level: Senior
- Location: San Diego, United States
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $180K to $215K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-10-09
- Apply by: 2026-11-23
- Apply: https://jobs.gem.com/firestorm/am9icG9zdDooLhs8YuiY_gHjgVXRWmjJ?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/firestorm-staff-mechanical-engineer-propulsion-2/

## About the role

Firestorm is hiring a Staff Mechanical Engineer, Propulsion who will own the propulsion systems that power our sUAS platforms—from small piston and heavy-fuel engines to the fuel, induction, ignition, and exhaust architectures that surround them. You will be responsible for engine selection, integration, calibration, and qualification across Firestorm’s fuel-based aircraft, translating mission endurance and performance requirements into producible powerplant solutions. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- Develop and execute engine test plans on test stands and in-flight: power and torque mapping, BSFC characterization, endurance runs, vibration surveys, and altitude/temperature performance testing
- Design and analyze fuel systems—tanks, lines, pumps, filters, regulators, and fuel pressure management—across the full flight envelope, including negative-G and altitude effects
- Investigate and root-cause propulsion anomalies (RPM collapse, lean events, misfires, mechanical failures), develop structured multi-phase test plans and drive corrective action
- Specify and qualify propellers in coordination with aerodynamics, balancing thrust, efficiency, ground clearance, acoustic signature, and vibration
- Develop and maintain propulsion engineering documentation: interface control documents, test plans and reports, propulsion budgets (power, fuel burn, endurance), and configuration baselines
- Partner with thermal engineering on engine cooling, exhaust routing, and heat rejection


Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/firestorm-staff-mechanical-engineer-propulsion-2/