Senior Quality, Test & Evaluation Engineer

About the Role

The Quality, Test & Evaluation (QTE) Engineer will own system‑level testing, build quality control, and deployment readiness for the xCell program, working closely with engineering and cross‑functional teams to meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements from build through field sustainment. In this hands‑on, execution‑driven role you will develop verification and validation plans, lead acceptance and readiness reviews, conduct inspections of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and power subsystems, manage nonconformances, perform root‑cause analysis, coordinate supplier quality, maintain configuration traceability, and translate field feedback into design improvements. • Develop, maintain, and execute system‑level Verification & Validation (V&V) plans, test procedures, and acceptance criteria for xCell platforms. • Lead build acceptance and system readiness reviews to determine deployment clearance or required rework. • Perform hands‑on inspections and functional testing of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and power subsystems. • Identify, document, and resolve nonconformances, driving corrective actions to closure with engineering and operations. • Conduct root‑cause analyses and define preventive measures feeding back into design and build processes. • Coordinate supplier quality activities, verifying components and assemblies meet specifications and reliability expectations. • Maintain configuration traceability across system variants, updates, and field retrofits. • Capture operational and field feedback to guide future xCell design improvements. • Support and help lead test readiness and deployment readiness events.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸verification planning
• ▸readiness review
• ▸subsystem testing
• ▸nonconformance management
• ▸root cause analysis
• ▸supplier quality

What You Bring

The position requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency with eligibility for a DoD clearance, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, and 5–9 years of experience in hardware test, system integration, or quality engineering, including ownership of test planning and corrective‑action decision‑making. Preferred experience includes work with deployable or containerized systems, familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, MIL‑STD test methods, and certifications such as PMP, Six Sigma, or reliability engineering. The role is based at Firestorm’s headquarters in San Diego, CA, with up to 30 % travel for supplier visits, deployments, and field operations, and may require lifting up to 30 lb and performing physical system setup and testing. • Require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency with eligibility for DoD security clearance. • Hold a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Industrial Engineering (or related field). • Possess 5–9 years of experience in hardware test, system integration test, or quality engineering. • Demonstrated ownership of test planning, execution, results documentation, and corrective‑action decision‑making. • Hands‑on troubleshooting and inspection experience across mechanical and electrical assemblies. • Ability to travel up to 30 % (domestic and international) and lift up to 30 lb for system setup and testing.

Requirements

• ▸u.s. citizenship
• ▸bachelor's degree
• ▸5-9 yrs
• ▸hardware test
• ▸test planning
• ▸six sigma

Benefits

Compensation ranges from $142,000 to $183,000 USD, reflecting factors such as experience, education, certifications, location, and business needs. Firestorm offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, equity grants for new hires, unlimited PTO, an extensive holiday calendar, generous parental leave, a lifestyle spending account, various insurance options, 24/7 mental‑health resources, and free legal and financial support services.

Work Environment

Onsite