Staff Backend Software Engineer
Firestorm · San Diego, California, United States
FULL TIMEpermanent
Job Description
We are hiring a Staff Backend Software Engineer to help build the core backend of Crucible. The backend is heavily TypeScript today, with GraphQL and Prisma, but we expect the stack to evolve with the product.
The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.
Who We Are
At Firestorm, we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive, too slow to produce, and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that.
We develop mission-adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell — our deployable microfactory — our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable, adaptable, and producible at the point of need.
We are looking for builders, operators, and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.
About the Role
Firestorm builds uncrewed aircraft and the manufacturing network that produces them: full-capability plants, deployable xCell edge factories, and forward-deployed sites that stand up production near the point of need.
Crucible is the software that runs that network. It plans and executes production across factories that don't look alike, using supply that isn't guaranteed to arrive. It runs in the cloud, inside a factory, and air-gapped in classified environments, with consistent behavior across all three.
The backend has to represent how production actually works: materials, inventory, resources, processes, work, constraints, and the state of a factory as it changes. It has to integrate with systems that own different pieces of that truth, support planning and optimization, and remain correct across deployments that may lose connectivity for hours or days.
What You’ll Do
Build Crucible's backend — Design and ship the services, APIs, data models, and workflows behind production planning and execution.Own core system models — Define how Crucible represents production, materials, inventory, resources, work, and operational state.Design for distributed operation — Build systems that behave correctly across cloud, factory, and disconnected deployments, including synchronization, reconciliation, and failure recovery.Build durable integrations — Connect Crucible to PLM, ERP, quality, test, optimization, and other production systems through clear interfaces and ownership boundaries.Make the system reliable — Improve performance, observability, testing, and failure handling for software used to run real production.Partner on architecture — Work with software leadership and architecture on service boundaries, data ownership, system interfaces, and technical direction.Raise the engineering bar — Review critical code and designs, improve development practices, and help other engineers solve difficult backend problemRequired Qualifications
8+ years building and shipping backend or distributed software in production, with a proven track-record of successU.S. person required due to ITAR regulationsStrong backend software engineering fundamentals and demonstrated judgment choosing technologies and system designs appropriate to the problemStrong experience with at least one modern backend languageStrong relational data modeling, API design, and distributed systems fundamentalsExperience designing systems with complex state, workflows, and consistency requirementsExperience designing systems with synchronization, distributed state, or consistency challengesExperience operating and debugging production softwareDemonstrated ability to take ambiguous technical problems from design through deploymentStrong written and verbal communication
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building production backend systems with TypeScript/Node.js, GraphQL, and Prisma or similar technologiesExperience with disconnected or intermittently connected systemsExperience with manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, ERP, or MES softwareExperience integrating with external enterprise or industrial systemsAerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other complex physical-system experienceWork Environment
This role is based 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.
Compensation
US Salary Range: $175,000 – $195,000 USD
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 plans401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goalsEquity grants for new hiresUnlimited PTOExtremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July & December.Generous Parental LeaveLifestyle Spending AccountFSADCFSAHSAHospital Indemnity insuranceCritical Illness insuranceAccident insuranceBasic 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. xzbcwsv Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.
Who We Are
At Firestorm, we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive, too slow to produce, and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that.
We develop mission-adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell — our deployable microfactory — our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable, adaptable, and producible at the point of need.
We are looking for builders, operators, and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.
About the Role
Firestorm builds uncrewed aircraft and the manufacturing network that produces them: full-capability plants, deployable xCell edge factories, and forward-deployed sites that stand up production near the point of need.
Crucible is the software that runs that network. It plans and executes production across factories that don't look alike, using supply that isn't guaranteed to arrive. It runs in the cloud, inside a factory, and air-gapped in classified environments, with consistent behavior across all three.
The backend has to represent how production actually works: materials, inventory, resources, processes, work, constraints, and the state of a factory as it changes. It has to integrate with systems that own different pieces of that truth, support planning and optimization, and remain correct across deployments that may lose connectivity for hours or days.
What You’ll Do
Build Crucible's backend — Design and ship the services, APIs, data models, and workflows behind production planning and execution.Own core system models — Define how Crucible represents production, materials, inventory, resources, work, and operational state.Design for distributed operation — Build systems that behave correctly across cloud, factory, and disconnected deployments, including synchronization, reconciliation, and failure recovery.Build durable integrations — Connect Crucible to PLM, ERP, quality, test, optimization, and other production systems through clear interfaces and ownership boundaries.Make the system reliable — Improve performance, observability, testing, and failure handling for software used to run real production.Partner on architecture — Work with software leadership and architecture on service boundaries, data ownership, system interfaces, and technical direction.Raise the engineering bar — Review critical code and designs, improve development practices, and help other engineers solve difficult backend problemRequired Qualifications
8+ years building and shipping backend or distributed software in production, with a proven track-record of successU.S. person required due to ITAR regulationsStrong backend software engineering fundamentals and demonstrated judgment choosing technologies and system designs appropriate to the problemStrong experience with at least one modern backend languageStrong relational data modeling, API design, and distributed systems fundamentalsExperience designing systems with complex state, workflows, and consistency requirementsExperience designing systems with synchronization, distributed state, or consistency challengesExperience operating and debugging production softwareDemonstrated ability to take ambiguous technical problems from design through deploymentStrong written and verbal communication
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building production backend systems with TypeScript/Node.js, GraphQL, and Prisma or similar technologiesExperience with disconnected or intermittently connected systemsExperience with manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, ERP, or MES softwareExperience integrating with external enterprise or industrial systemsAerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other complex physical-system experienceWork Environment
This role is based 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.
Compensation
US Salary Range: $175,000 – $195,000 USD
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 plans401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goalsEquity grants for new hiresUnlimited PTOExtremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July & December.Generous Parental LeaveLifestyle Spending AccountFSADCFSAHSAHospital Indemnity insuranceCritical Illness insuranceAccident insuranceBasic 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. xzbcwsv Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
Details
| Company | Firestorm |
| Location | San Diego, California, United States |
| Type | FULL TIME |
| Niche | general |
| Experience | permanent |