Principal Software Engineer
Job Location:
Job Location:
San Diego, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
$ 200000 - 230000
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
2 days ago
Posted on:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
Who We Are
Firestorm is building the next generation of uncrewedaircraftand the advanced manufacturing systems that deliver them at speed. The SoftwareIntegration& Operations departmentowns the software layer that spans factory floor to cloud the applications automation edge systems and intelligence that make it possible to iterate product designs automate advanced manufacturing and scale production with uncompromising quality and rigor.
About the Role
As a Principal Engineer in theteam you are the senior-most technical leader across engineering execution. You raise the engineering bar lead the hardest initiatives to completion and serve as the connective tissue between the department head the System Architect and the engineering teams shipping the platform. You write production code when it matters and you choose your leverage deliberately mentoring a senior engineer through a design stepping into an incident leading a high-risk migration or pair-programming on a critical path feature.
Where the System Architect owns the reference architecture and the coherence of the systems design the Principal Engineer owns the quality of how engineering is executed against that design. The two roles are peers and you are expected to partner tightly with the System Architecttodesignour advanced manufacturing systemsanddirectly withplatformcomponentteams to drive execution of new products or is a technical leadership role you will be expected to turn a vision into working software prove it in production and grow a team to own it.
What Youll Do
- Lead the hardest engineering initiatives across the department high-risk migrations new module launches incident response and cross-team efforts where execution quality is the dominant risk.
- Raise the engineering bar across the department: code quality testing discipline observability operational excellence and the working practices thatdeterminewhether a team ships well.
- Serve as a technical mentor to senior ICs across all functions full stack infrastructure embedded integration applied AI and a calibration anchor for engineering hiring.
- Partner with the System Architect on landing architectural direction in engineering execution: translating reference designs into implementation plans flagging where execution reality should inform architectural revision and holding the line on system coherence during the build.
- Partner with the department head on roadmap staffing and technical strategy the right hand who translates direction into engineering execution.
- Write production code when it matters on critical path features in incident response or in proof-of-concepts that unblock a team.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Computer Science Engineering or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- U.S. Citizenshiprequireddue to ITAR regulations
- 10 years of engineering experience withdemonstratedimpact across multiple production systems.
- Deep technical breadth you hold your own across full-stack web cloud infrastructure systems programming and integration work.
- Track recordof leading engineering execution on non-trivial systems features shipped incidents handled migrations landed and teams raised to a higher bar.
- Demonstrated technical leadership without formal authority: mentoring design review incident command and cross-team alignment.
- Strong written and verbal communication you take a messy technical problem write the doc that frames it and drive the room to a decision.
- Demonstrated history of holding yourself and your teammates to a high standard even when it creates discomfort.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior Staff or Principal engineering role at a company shipping hardware-connected software. Nominally withexperience in manufacturing aerospaceordefensesoftware environments.
- Experience leading engineering through rapid scale from a small team into a structured department.
- Background that includes both startup and mature-scale engineering organizations.
Work Environment
- Based at our Headquarters in San Diego CA
- This role requires an on-site presence
This position typicallyoperatesin 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). This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions noise and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross departmental collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities.
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 tooperatestandard machine equipment as well as standard office be physically capable of tolerating loud noise heat cold dust or chemicals (with PPE).
Compensation
US Salary Range: $200000 - $230000 USD
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 addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovativecollaborativeand 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 November & 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 theoptiontopurchaseadditionallife insurance for you and your family.
- Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and -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 upholdingequitablehiring 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 yourequireaccommodations orassistanceduring the application process pleasedonthesitate to reach out to us atso we can provide the support you need.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
