Applications Engineer

A manufacturing system is only as good as the parts it actually produces. This role owns that promise. As an Applications Engineer, you're the bridge between what our customers need to make and what xCell can reliably deliver — turning a warfighter's "I need this part, here, now" into a validated, repeatable manufacturing process on a fielded system. You'll live at the intersection of additive and traditional manufacturing, process development, materials, and the customer. One day you're dialing in print or machining parameters and running a part to first article; the next you're on a deployment helping operators produce reliably under real conditions, then feeding what you learned back to engineering to make the next xCell better. If you want to own hard, hands-on problems that have near-term impact in the field — not spend your days moving PowerPoints — this is the right place. What You'll Do 

• Application development — take customer part requirements and turn them into validated, repeatable manufacturing processes on xCell across additive (MJF, FDM, metal) and CNC, from DFM/DFAM through first article
• Process & materials engineering — develop and qualify process parameters, materials, and the part libraries and work instructions that let operators produce to spec without you in the room
• Field & deployment support — support xCell deployments, train and enable operators, and troubleshoot production issues on fielded systems in both CONUS and OCONUS environments
• Customer engagement — work directly with warfighters and program customers to understand the applications they care about and translate mission needs into what xCell can produce
• Sustaining & quality — own first-article inspection and part qualification, and when a fielded system fails to deliver as advertised, drive the process- and application-level fix
• Cross-functional feedback loop — feed real application and field data back to systems, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering to sharpen the next generation of xCell
• Have a high ownership mentality — you close loops, you don't wait to be told, and you hold yourself and others to a high standard

 Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, or related field)
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
• 3+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience with additive (MJF, FDM, or metal) and/or CNC machining — you've made real parts, not just modeled them
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) / Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) fluency — you know how to make a part manufacturable and can coach others to do the same
• Comfortable troubleshooting hardware and process problems on your feet, where the answer isn't always clear and speed matters
• Proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks preferred)

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Defense background — you understand the operational context your hardware will live in
• Metal additive or CNC process development and qualification experience
• Materials qualification, GD&T, and first-article / PPAP-style inspection experience
• Experience training or supporting end users on manufacturing equipment in the field
• Familiarity with PLM and quality/documentation systems

 Why This Role, Why Now xCell only matters if it makes what the warfighter needs, where they need it — and someone has to own the part that turns a capable machine into a reliable one in the field. That's this role. The engineers who join now will define how we qualify, deploy, and scale what xCell can produce, and they'll do it on a team that takes the work seriously and moves with urgency. If you want real responsibility and near-term impact on a fielded defense platform, let's talk. About Firestorm Firestorm is a defense technology company solving one of the hardest logistics problems in modern warfare — how do you manufacture what you need, when you need it, and where you need it without support from traditional supply chains? Our answer is xCell: containerized, deployable manufacturing units built around advanced additive and traditional manufacturing that go where warfighters go. We're roughly 150 people, headquartered in San Diego, and we're past concept — xCell systems are in the field in both OCONUS and CONUS today and our development pipeline is aggressive. Work Environment 

• Based onsite at our San Diego, CA. Headquarters
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Travel between 15-25%, customer and field sites, including some OCONUS

 This position typically operates in 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). 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 to operate standard office equipment.  Compensation 

• Base salary: $100,000 - $130,000 base, commensurate with experience
• Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company

 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 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
• 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 don’t hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.