Principal Engineer - Integration, Test, & verification

The posting, as Firestorm wrote it

About the Role

Build and lead a cross-product integration, test, and verification capability for complex hardware/software/UAS systems. Own the integration and verification approach, test architecture, evidence quality, and escalation of unresolved defects. Work with Chief Engineers, who remain accountable for product technical integrity and readiness recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

Integration and Verification Strategy

• Lead risk-based system integration, verification, and validation planning across 2–3 active product lines.
• Translate system requirements, critical interfaces, failure modes, and operational scenarios into executable test coverage and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate integration sequencing, test readiness, qualification evidence, and verification traceability with Chief Engineers and functional teams.

Test Engineering and Infrastructure

• Build or strengthen SIL/HIL, automated regression, bench/lab integration, instrumentation, data capture, and representative field/flight-test practices as appropriate.
• Establish repeatable test procedures, defect tracking, reproducibility standards, and configuration control for test articles and environments.
• Lead test engineering personnel and coordinate distributed functional test contributors without duplicating all existing testing teams.

Reliability and Independent Evidence

• Report objective verification results, open anomalies, residual risks, and coverage gaps; escalate unresolved concerns independently of schedule pressure.
• Drive failure analysis, root-cause investigation, corrective-action verification, and prevention of recurring integration escapes.
• Develop metrics for late-found defects, verification coverage, regression effectiveness, test reliability, and time to close critical anomalies.

AI-native engineering and builder mindset

• Personally use approved AI tools to accelerate architecture exploration, trade-study preparation, interface analysis, technical research, design-review preparation, and engineering knowledge retrieval. Know when to question and validate AI-driven results.
• Build and deploy practical AI-enabled workflows and lightweight internal tools that help product teams work faster, improve traceability, surface technical risk, and reduce administrative burden.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years in integration, test engineering, verification/validation, or systems test for complex hardware/software products.
• Experience leading test engineers or multidisciplinary integration/test teams and building test capability.
• Demonstrated ownership of test strategy and evidence for integrated systems through field or operational deployment.
• Practical knowledge of HIL/SIL, instrumentation, automation, test design, requirements traceability, defect management, and root-cause analysis.
• Ability to provide objective technical findings and escalate verification gaps constructively to engineering leadership.

Preferred Qualifi
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hort-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.

Compensation
The base pay range for this role is $200,000 – $230,000 per year.