Who We Are
At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors — regardless of their defense budget — through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.
About the Role
Firestorm is seeking a Product Manager, Software Ecosystem who will work hand in hand with our Head of Software and multidisciplinary teams to shape and continually refine the software capabilities that power our edge-based command and control systems, autonomy frameworks, and cloud-based mission management applications.
You will act as a force multiplier, synthesizing user insights, organizing priorities, and helping coordinate development efforts so that engineering, design, and business development stakeholders can move quickly and confidently. Your impact will be measured by how effectively you translate mission needs into clear, actionable work for the team and how smoothly you help shepherd features from concept through deployment and iteration.
At Firestorm Labs, capability is delivered to the warfighter at the speed of relevance through advanced autonomy, modular systems, and rapid manufacturing. The Product Manager will leverage these cutting-edge technologies to accelerate innovation, close capability gaps, and help revitalize the technological and operational advantage of U.S. and allied forces globally. This position offers significant visibility and frequent engagement with internal and external stakeholders in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
What You'll Do
- Contribute to the product roadmap by maintaining and updating backlog items and release plans in close coordination with the Head of Software to ensure alignment with overall product vision and business objectives
- Gather and document requirements by engaging with customers, end users, and internal stakeholders to capture needs, craft user stories, and keep Confluence and Jira artifacts accurate and current
- Facilitate agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, backlog grooming, and, when applicable, daily stand-ups, helping technical leads keep work items well defined and appropriately prioritized
- Track success metrics by defining KPIs in partnership with engineering and business teams, monitoring product performance, and surfacing data-driven insights that guide iteration
- Coordinate validation activities by planning field tests, user feedback sessions, and customer demos, collecting observations, and feeding them back into the roadmap
- Stay mission focused by continuously scanning competitive offerings, emerging technologies, and tactical edge use cases to inform prioritization and highlight opportunities for differentiation
- Enable cross-functional execution by ensuring documentation, timelines, and dependencies are clear so hardware, autonomy, cloud, and UX contributors can work in lockstep
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in software product management or a technical program management role.
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
- Hands-on background in software development (i.e., a former engineer)
- Demonstrated success supporting complex, mission-critical product portfolios in defense, autonomy, aerospace or similarly high-consequence domains
- Proficiency with agile workflows and tools such as Jira and Confluence
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to frequently interface with engineers, executives and customers
- Willingness to travel 20% within a CY.
Preferred Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in software product management or a technical program management role.
- Certification such as CSPO, SAFe POPM, or Pragmatic Marketing
- Experience working with edge computing, autonomous platform, or C2 product ecosystems
- Familiarity with DoD or other government customers, procurement processes, and tactical operations
- Experience collaborating across integrated hardware–software programs and multidisciplinary teams
- Hands-on use of product analytics and telemetry platforms (e.g., Mixpanel, Grafana, or Prometheus) to inform roadmap decisions
- Exposure to DevSecOps pipelines, CI/CD best practices, and secure coding standards in regulated environments
- Working knowledge of UX research techniques and human factors considerations for mission-critical operator interfaces
- Experience applying model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or digital engineering approaches to requirements management
- Familiarity with financial modeling and cost-benefit analysis to support product discussions
- Prior experience in supporting SBIR/STTR or other government-funded R&D programs
Work Environment
- This role can either be Remote or on site in San Diego, CA.
- We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
- Occasional travel may be required to domestically; up to 20% within a calendar year.
This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and 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 and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.
Compensation
U.S. Range: $142,000 - $193,000
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 November, & 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.
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