Senior Manufacturing Specialist

The posting, as Firestorm wrote it

Every aircraft program has a gap between what engineering releases and what a technician can actually build. This role exists to close it.

As a Senior Manufacturing Specialist , you are the connective tissue between design engineering and the shop floor. You'll take released CAD, drawings, and BOMs and turn them into work that a technician can execute the same way twice — routings, travelers, manufacturing BOMs, and step-level work instructions, backed by the tooling and fixtures needed to hold tolerance at rate. Then you'll stand at the bench during the first builds and find out where you got it wrong.

This is a builder's job, not a desk job. You'll spend real time on the floor with a torque driver in your hand. You'll also spend real time redlining documentation, arguing a manufacturability issue back to a design engineer, and laying out a cell that flows. We are looking for two decades of aircraft manufacturing judgment — the kind you get from building airplanes, not from a classroom. No degree is required for this role.

You'll work across the full arc of a product: new aircraft coming out of development, first articles, engineering builds, and platforms already running at rate. The processes you write and the tooling you build here are what we package and stand up at our forward production sites, so the work travels well beyond San Diego.

What You'll Do

• Turn released engineering data into production-ready manufacturing planning: work orders, routings and travelers, manufacturing BOMs, and detailed work instructions.
• Work in the gap between engineering and production, and able to hold a technical position with engineers while staying credible with technicians.
• Author and maintain step-level work instructions in our digital work instruction system, linked to CAD, and keep them current as the configuration moves.
• Interpret and enforce aerospace specifications governing manufacturing processes, engineering requirements, and quality systems; verify the build conforms to what the spec actually calls for.
• Plan and support first article and engineering builds. Work the bench alongside technicians, capture every deviation, and drive redlines and change actions to closure.
• Design, source, build, and prove out tooling, jigs, fixtures, and gages — from identifying the need through shop acceptance and first use.
• Perform hands-on aircraft assembly and integration: bonded and fastened composite and metallic structure, finishing, propulsion installation, and mechanical/electrical integration.
• Lay out and optimize work cells. Sequence standard work, balance stations against a target rate, and eliminate the motion, waiting, and rework nobody has gotten around to fixing.
• Own the manufacturing side of new product introduction — take a platform from design through NPI verification and into full rate production without dropping the process detail on the way.
• Partner with Quality on inspection methods, buy-off points, first ar

[…]
ance

• 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.