Manager, Product Logistics & Sustainment

Firestorm is looking for a Manager, Product Logistics & Sustainment, who will work with internal and external customers to assess, identify gaps, build, and own Firestorm's logistics and sustainment capability for existing and near-term products. This role focuses on solving near to medium-term problems with a long-term vision, establishing the operating model for a scalable enterprise sustainment function. You will own two currently unowned capabilities: (1) the sustainment architecture for fielded xCell / Tier 3 systems, and (2) the first repair-and-maintenance sustainment model for Firestorm's UAS products. Additionally, you will scope, establish, and validate Production Advisory Services (PAS), embedding directly with customers to drive utilization and generate operational data for continuous improvement. The position sits within the xCell organization and will be reassessed as the company's broader Operations function matures.

Responsibilities

• Own xCell / Tier 3 Sustainment
  • Work closely with xCell Field Support and the Mission Success Team (MST) to build and refine spare-parts, consumables, tools, and replenishment packages for fielded xCell systems based on projected and real utilization and failure data.
  • Define resupply trigger logic and stocking strategy for fielded units.
  • Serve as the connective tissue between Field Support, MST, and the xCell manufacturing/engineering teams when sustainment issues surface.
  • Capture fielding and sustainment lessons and feed them into product, packaging, and process improvements.
• Build Drone Product Logistics & Sustainment (New Capability)
  • Work closely with MST and the UAS team to stand up Firestorm's repair and maintenance sustainment model for UAS sold and supported independent of xCell.
  • Define spare-parts, maintenance, and replenishment strategy for UAS product lines.
  • Partner with Mission Success to close the gap between training/flight operations and the maintenance/sustainment tail.
  • Establish baseline repair-intake and turnaround processes before volume demands them.
• Establish and Run Production Advisory Services (PAS)
  • Embed directly with customers to guide full utilization of xCell production capability, ensuring customers extract full value from their systems.
  • Develop the KPI/metrics framework (cost, time, uptime) to prove customer value and build an internal case for future investment.
  • Feed customer process data and lessons learned into sustainment planning, Crucible development, and the Applications Engineering team to drive improved processes.
  • Work with BD and MST to determine if PAS engagements could serve as a pre-sale value-demonstration tool.
• Maintain Tier 2 Awareness
  • Maintain visibility into Tier 2 sustainment needs and flag emerging risks or dependencies to leadership.
  • Provide input as Tier 2 planning matures, without carrying primary execution responsibility at this stage.
• Other Requirements
  • Ensure fielded xCell and drone products meet baseline requirements for safe handling, storage, packaging, and documentation.
  • Partner with qualified specialists, internal or external, on SDS/HAZMAT and configuration-driven compliance needs as they arise.
  • Help shape Crucible development and prioritization based on knowledge gained and lessons learned.
  • Identify personnel gaps and potential organizational solutions related to sustainment and logistics.
  • Provide back-up support for logistics movements of Firestorm systems and parts as needed.

How You'll Operate

• Sustain: Establish processes and work cross-functionally to ensure fielded xCell / Tier 3 and drone products are online and ready through maintenance, repair, provisioning, and resupply.
• Advise: Scope, validate, and run PAS engagements that drive real customer adoption and generate field-truth data.
• Build: Map out and stand up the UAS product field resupply and sustainment model.
• Connect: Bridge xCell manufacturing/engineering and field support, Mission Success, the UAS team, Supply Chain Management, and Business Development, wherever fielded-product reality should inform their decisions.
• Report: Convert field data into metrics and lessons that justify what gets built next.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics Management, or a related field.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• 5+ years of experience in logistics, supply chain, sustainment, maintenance, or field support operations, ideally in a fast-moving or resource-constrained environment.
• Experience building process and structure where none has existed before.
• Experience working hands-on in the field while also thinking analytically about the systems and data behind sustainment decisions.
• Strong cross-functional communication and the judgment to know when to escalate versus resolve directly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Military logistics or sustainment experience, ideally in joint or expeditionary operations.
• Experience in PACOM or other complex international logistics environments.
• Familiarity with maintenance/repair operations for fielded hardware, ground or aerial systems.
• An advanced degree/certification: MBA, MS Supply Chain Management, CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), PMP (Project Management Professional), or equivalent.
• Active U.S. security clearance.

Why This Role, Why Now

xCell only matters if it makes what the warfighter needs, where they need it — and someone has to own the part that turns a capable machine into a reliable one in the field. That's this role. The engineers who join now will define how we qualify, deploy, and scale what xCell can produce, and they'll do it on a team that takes the work seriously and moves with urgency. If you want real responsibility and near-term impact on a fielded defense platform, let's talk.

About Firestorm

Firestorm is a defense technology company solving one of the hardest logistics problems in modern warfare — how to manufacture what you need, when you need it, and where you need it without support from traditional supply chains. Our answer is xCell: containerized, deployable manufacturing units built around advanced additive and traditional manufacturing that go where warfighters go. We're roughly 150 people, headquartered in San Diego, and we're past concept — xCell systems are in the field in both OCONUS and CONUS today, and our development pipeline is aggressive.

Work Environment

• Based on-site at our San Diego, CA headquarters.
• Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Travel up to 25%, including customer and field sites, both CONUS & OCONUS.
• This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. The role may involve exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE).

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, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.

Pay

• Base salary: $135,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience.
• Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Equity grants for new hires.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July and 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. Option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: Free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support.