Enter a job title or keyword
Staff Backend Engineer
Job Location:
Job Location:
San Diego, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 175000 - 195000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
3 September 2026 (4 hours ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
1 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
Who We Are
At Firestorm we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive too slow to produce and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that.
We develop mission-adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell our deployable microfactory our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable adaptable and producible at the point of need.
We are looking for builders operators and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.
About the Role
Firestorm builds uncrewed aircraft and the manufacturing network that produces them: full-capability plants deployable xCell edge factories and forward-deployed sites that stand up production near the point of need.
Crucible is the software that runs that network. It plans and executes production across factories that dont look alike using supply that isnt guaranteed to arrive. It runs in the cloud inside a factory and air-gapped in classified environments with consistent behavior across all three.
The backend has to represent how production actually works: materials inventory resources processes work constraints and the state of a factory as it changes. It has to integrate with systems that own different pieces of that truth support planning and optimization and remain correct across deployments that may lose connectivity for hours or days.
We are hiring a Staff Backend Software Engineer to help build the core backend of Crucible. The backend is heavily TypeScript today with GraphQL and Prisma but we expect the stack to evolve with the product.
What Youll Do
- Build Crucibles backend Design and ship the services APIs data models and workflows behind production planning and execution.
- Own core system models Define how Crucible represents production materials inventory resources work and operational state.
- Design for distributed operation Build systems that behave correctly across cloud factory and disconnected deployments including synchronization reconciliation and failure recovery.
- Build durable integrations Connect Crucible to PLM ERP quality test optimization and other production systems through clear interfaces and ownership boundaries.
- Make the system reliable Improve performance observability testing and failure handling for software used to run real production.
- Partner on architecture Work with software leadership and architecture on service boundaries data ownership system interfaces and technical direction.
- Raise the engineering bar Review critical code and designs improve development practices and help other engineers solve difficult backend problem
Required Qualifications
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
- 8 years building and shipping backend or distributed software in production with a proven track-record of success
- Strong backend software engineering fundamentals and demonstrated judgment choosing technologies and system designs appropriate to the problem
- Strong experience with at least one modern backend language
- Strong relational data modeling API design and distributed systems fundamentals
- Experience designing systems with complex state workflows and consistency requirements
- Experience designing systems with synchronization distributed state or consistency challenges
- Experience operating and debugging production software
- Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous technical problems from design through deployment
- Strong written and verbal communication
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience building production backend systems with TypeScript/ GraphQL and Prisma or similar technologies
- Experience with disconnected or intermittently connected systems
- Experience with manufacturing logistics supply chain ERP or MES software
- Experience integrating with external enterprise or industrial systems
- Aerospace defense robotics automotive or other complex physical-system experience
Work Environment
- This role is based in San Diego CA.
- We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
Compensation
US Salary Range: $175000 $195000 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 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 dont hesitate to reach out to us at so we can provide the support you need.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
