Electronics Engineering Technician

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 Labs is on a mission to redefine how autonomous systems are built, deployed, and scaled faster, smarter, and at the edge of possibility. As an Electronics Engineering Technician, you won’t just be building boards and testing circuits, you’ll be enabling the rapid development of the world’s next-generation autonomous defense platforms.
In this hands-on, high-impact role, you’ll partner closely with engineers, fabricators, and manufacturing teams to bring advanced electronics systems from prototype to production. Whether it's assembling a critical control module, debugging a flight system or optimizing our build processes, your contributions will directly shape the performance and reliability of mission-critical technologies. This is a role for a doer; someone who thrives on the manufacturing floor and in the lab, solves problems under pressure, and takes pride in precision.
The ideal candidate has previously experience as a a hands-on technician with strong experience in electronics assembly, test and diagnostics, who thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix environment and enjoys collaborating across disciplines to bring cutting-edge products to life. If you're driven by hardware, purpose and the chance to make a real-world impact, we want you on the team.
 What You’ll Do

• Build, rework, and test complex electronic assemblies including PCBAs, wire harnesses, and control units in support of production and engineering.
• Perform visual and functional inspections, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis of electronics components and systems down to the component level.
• Support first-article builds and document new procedures and build/test results for transitioning products from prototype to production.
• Assist in the design, fabrication, and documentation of test harnesses, jigs, fixtures, and automated test systems.
• Conduct functional and environmental tests using oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, DAQs, and other instrumentation.
• Supports maintenance, repairs and installation of various types of electronic equipment and related devices such as electronic transmitting and receiving equipment, micro and mainframe computers and industrial measuring, controlling and calibration devices.
• Execute incoming inspection and quality control checks; identify and resolve non-conformance issues.
• Support production and engineering teams with technical feedback, design changes, and failure analysis.
• Manage and track calibration, preventative maintenance, and repair of test equipment and lab instrumentation.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and ESD-compliant electronics lab and work environment.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts for performance, yield, and manufacturability.
• Should demonstrate an understanding of engineering terminology and be able to work well in a technically diverse team environment.

 Required Qualifications 

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in electronics manufacturing, test, or R&D environments.
• Proficiency in hand soldering (TH and SMT), PCB rework, and wire harness fabrication.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, layout files, BOMs, technical orders and mechanical drawings.
• Considerable knowledge and use of electronic test equipment, hand and soldering tools, voltage or amperage measuring and recording devices
• Experience using and troubleshooting with oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, function generators, and related test equipment.
• Working knowledge of IPC standards (IPC-A-610, IPC-A-620, J-STD-001, etc.).
• Familiarity with electrical safety, ESD best practices, and proper use of PPE in a lab/manufacturing environment.
• Strong documentation skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work independently, and a team environment is essential, along with effectively prioritizing tasks to meet production and program deadlines.
• Must be able to perform a variety of non-routine tasks and demonstrate considerable knowledge of avionics and electronic procedures and principles
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• Ability to safely lift and transport materials up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working with hazardous materials under safety-controlled conditions.

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field
• Experience working in the defense or aerospace industry
• IPC/J-STD certifications (IPC-7711/7721, A-610, A-620)
• Experience in prototype development, low-rate initial production (LRIP), and transitioning designs to high-volume builds
• Familiarity with test automation, data acquisition, and sensor instrumentation.
• Understanding of EMI/EMC, high-voltage, or high-power testing environments.
• Experience with ERP systems and test documentation software (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, MES).
• Experience supporting design-for-manufacturing (DFM) or design-for-test (DFT) initiatives.

  Work Environment  

• Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA.
• This role requires daily on-site presence.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and wear appropriate PPE [as required].
• Extended periods of standing, bench work or seated computer use, is a physical requirement for this role.
• PPE is provided; adherence to ESD protection, all safety protocols and environmental controls, is mandatory.
• Occasional travel (up to 10%) may be required

Compensation US Hourly Range: $28 - $44 USD
The posted 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
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
• Generous Parental Leave 
• 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.

 ITAR Compliance To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 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. 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.