Operational Flight Team Leader & Mobile Training Team (MTT) Lead

Location: This position is required to be ON-SITE daily in the San Diego, CA office, and requires sixty percent (60%) travel off-site. RELOCATION is available for the successful candidate.

About The Job

Firestorm as a company grew out of the simple question: how does a US ally country with a respectively low defense budget deter an aggressor state entity with a vastly larger war chest? We’re building the very answer to that question, something we call “democratized deterrence.” Firestorm is a VC-backed, defense-meets-Silicon Valley technology company developing mission-adaptable aerial vehicles to put the power back into the hands of the operator. We aim to upend the current defense procurement cost paradigm by bringing world-class capabilities to bear at meaningfully lower costs.

About The Role

We are seeking an Operational Flight Team Leader & Mobile Training Team (MTT) Lead with a passion for innovation to join our growing team. You’ll have the opportunity to lead our flight test campaigns on our additively manufactured UAVs as we continue to push the boundaries of what modular UAVs can do.

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage sUAS flight teams in operational deployments, field testing, and R&D initiatives.
• Plan, execute, and oversee live-flight missions, ensuring adherence to military aviation standards and Firestorm Labs’ operational protocols.
• Develop and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safe and effective sUAS operations.
• Oversee maintenance, logistics, and readiness of Firestorm Labs’ sUAS platforms.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on sUAS tactical employment, mission execution, and integration with ground forces.
• Develop, implement, and lead mobile training programs for U.S. military, defense agencies, and strategic partners.
• Conduct classroom-based and live-flight instruction, covering mission planning, flight operations, emergency procedures, and advanced tactics.
• Evaluate and certify operators in accordance with DoD sUAS requirements and FAA regulations.
• Maintain training records, proficiency evaluations, and post-training reports.
• Mentor and develop Firestorm Labs’ operational and training teams to ensure high levels of expertise and readiness.
• Design tactical sUAS mission profiles, optimizing reconnaissance, surveillance, and operational effectiveness.
• Conduct risk assessments, airspace deconfliction, and operational risk management (ORM) for safe mission execution.
• Integrate sUAS capabilities into multi-domain operational environments, supporting real-world military applications.
• Conduct After-Action Reviews (AARs) and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with FAA Part 107, DoD sUAS regulations, and National Airspace System (NAS) requirements.
• Lead safety and risk management programs, including emergency procedures and incident response.
• Collaborate with Firestorm Labs’ engineering teams to refine system capabilities, flight safety, and mission effectiveness.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• One (1) to four (4) plus years of experience in autonomous or remotely piloted flying systems
• Proven ability to develop and safely execute test plans for aerial systems within tight deadlines
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to meet project milestones and deliverables
• Excellent communication skills to effectively articulate technical challenges and solutions to diverse audiences
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as needed
• “US Citizen” status required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret-Level security clearance
• Excellent organizational skills and a keen attention to detail
• Ability to travel up to 60% of the time
• Valid Drivers License is required and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Able to lift 25 pounds as needed
• Able to work in multiple environmental conditions to include heat, cold, precipitation, and/or wind
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in developing, testing, and deploying autonomous systems in a defense or aerospace context
• Hands-on experience with simulation environments and tools used for testing autonomous systems
• Knowledge of current industry and military standards related to unmanned aerial systems and their operation within the national airspace
• Strong analytical skills to interpret test data, diagnose system behaviors, and recommend actionable improvements
• Certified by the FAA to be a Remote Pilot (Part 107)
• Desire and ability to succeed in a startup environment
• Experience with military range regulations and scheduling
• Group 3 UAV experience
  
  

Salary Range: $110,000 - $115,000

Firestorm is committed to hiring and retaining a world-class workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions. Our culture at Firestorm fosters collaboration, respect, and trust to empower passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

Why Join Firestorm?

At Firestorm, you’ll be at the forefront of next-generation defense innovation, helping to visually shape how unmanned systems are marketed, demonstrated, and deployed. If you are a talented Flight Team/Mobile Training Team Lead who wants to work on additively manufactured, modular unmanned aerial systems, we want to hear from you!

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