Systems Software Engineer, Linux/Edge
Firestorm · San Diego, United States · On-site
Pay: USD 175,000 – 220,000 a year
Posted Sep 2, 2026
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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 runs in the cloud, inside a factory, and air-gapped in classified environments. At the edge, Crucible has to operate reliably on local compute, connect to factory equipment, and keep working when cloud infrastructure and internet connectivity are unavailable.
We are hiring a Staff Software Engineer to build the systems layer behind Crucible's edge deployments. You'll own the Linux environment, deployment and lifecycle infrastructure, and the interfaces between Crucible and the machines, workstations, printers, test equipment, and other systems on the factory floor.
What You’ll Do
Build Crucible's edge platform — Design the runtime and infrastructure that runs Crucible in factories, xCells, and air-gapped environments.
Own the Linux environment — Define how systems are configured, provisioned, networked, secured, updated, and recovered.
Connect the factory floor — Build interfaces to machines, workstations, printers, scanners, test equipment, and other production hardware.
Build for disconnected operation — Make edge systems reliable through network loss, degraded connectivity, restart, and recovery.
Own device lifecycle — Build tooling for provisioning, configuration, software updates, diagnostics, and fleet management.
Debug the full system — Troubleshoot problems across applications, Linux, networking, peripherals, and physical equipment.
Partner on architecture — Work with software leadership and architecture on edge-to-cloud interfaces, deployment topology, security, and system boundaries.
Required Qualifications
8+ years building systems, platform, infrastructure, or embedded Linux software
U.S. person required due to ITAR regulations
Deep Linux experience, including processes, networking, filesystems, service management, and system debugging
Strong proficiency in at least one systems programming language
Experience building and…