Job Description
Firestorm is looking for a Director of Marketing who is equal parts strategist and executor. This is not a role for someone who writes strategies and hands them off. You will own the strategy, build the campaigns, and see them through to results.
You will lead a team that includes a marketing coordinator, podcast producer, events coordinator, a PR agency, and a roster of creative contractors covering video, photography, and graphic design. Your job is to give that team direction, clarity, and momentum, and then hold everyone accountable to a standard of work that reflects Firestorm’s ambition.
You will work closely with our Business Development team to ensure marketing is directly supporting our pipeline. You will craft the annual strategy, run the campaigns, lead the events, direct the content, and manage the budget.
We are not looking for someone who has spent their career in defense. But you need to understand how complex, relationship-driven markets work, how physical products are marketed, and how to build a brand in an industry where trust and credibility take time to earn. If you have built something real, marketed something tangible, and led a team that executed under pressure, we want to hear from you.
What You'll Do
Strategy & Planning
- Own Firestorm’s annual marketing strategy: set the vision, define priorities, allocate resources, and translate goals into concrete campaigns and timelines
- Develop integrated, multi-channel campaign strategies aligned with product milestones, fundraising cycles, BD priorities, hiring pushes, and industry moments
- Set measurable goals for every initiative and hold yourself and your team accountable to them; deliver executive-ready performance reports with clear KPIs and ROI
- Partner with the founders and executive team to align marketing strategy with company growth objectives
Campaign Creation & Execution
- Create campaigns from concept to launch: brief, strategy, messaging, creative direction, channel plan, and execution -- then drive them to completion
- Direct the creative contractor roster (video, photography, graphic design) to produce assets that meet the brief, hit the timeline, and reflect the brand
- Coordinate all asset creation with the marketing coordinator, covering social content, PR materials, digital assets, and collateral
- Lead the PR agency: set direction, review pitches and press materials, hold them to a proactive media strategy, and ensure Firestorm’s story is being told in the right places
- Develop and maintain Firestorm’s brand identity, voice, and visual language across every channel and touchpoint
- Produce or oversee high-impact content including product videos, capability briefs, thought leadership, newsletters, customer stories, and investor materials
Events Strategy & Execution
- Own the events strategy: identify priority conferences, tradeshows, and industry gatherings; set goals for each; and manage the full annual calendar
- Work directly with the events coordinator to plan and execute Firestorm’s presence from booth concept and speaking submissions to demo strategy and on-site logistics
- Lead pre-event campaign planning and post-event follow-up in close coordination with the BD team to maximize pipeline impact
- Develop activations and experiences that generate real attention and meaningful conversations
Business Development Partnership
- Work shoulder-to-shoulder with the BD team to ensure marketing strategy, campaigns, and content are directly aligned with pipeline priorities and growth targets
- Build and maintain sales enablement materials (pitch deck, slick sheets), proposal support assets, and account-based content that accelerates BD conversations
- Develop customer-facing collateral — capability briefs, program slick sheets, technical one-pagers — that gives the BD team what they need to open doors and close them
- Participate in customer meetings, program reviews, and stakeholder engagements as a communications resource and brand ambassador
Team & Budget Leadership
- Lead and coordinate a team of direct reports and extended contributors: marketing coordinator, podcast producer, events coordinator, PR agency, and creative contractors
- Set clear direction, maintain high creative standards, and hold every contributor accountable to deadlines and quality
- Own the marketing budget: prioritize spend, track ROI, and report performance directly to the executive team
- Manage vendor and agency relationships; set expectations, review output, and maintain discipline on budget and timelines
Digital, Content & Communications
- Own Firestorm’s digital ecosystem: website, SEO/SEM, paid and organic social, and marketing operations
- Unify Firestorm’s presence across podcasts, video, press, events, and social under a single consistent voice and visual identity
- Serve as a trusted communications partner to the CEO and founders, supporting speechwriting, investor relations, board materials, and internal messaging
- Lead crisis and reactive communications; develop playbooks, messaging frameworks, and response protocols in partnership with leadership
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Business Administration or equivalent degree. In lieu of a degree need to have 12 years of relevant progressive experience.
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
- 8+ years of progressive marketing experience, with at least 3 years in a director-level or senior leadership role -- if you don't meet these benchmarks but strongly believe you're the right person for this role, tell us why.
- You have created strategies and executed them yourself — not delegated strategy up and execution down; you have done both
- Experience marketing a physical product; you understand the dynamics of selling something tangible in a complex, relationship-driven market
- Proven track record leading a team of direct reports and managing external partners including agencies, contractors, and vendors
- Experience owning a marketing budget with direct accountability for spend, prioritization, and results
- Demonstrated ability to build campaigns from concept to launch across brand, content, digital, events, and earned media
- Experience working closely with a sales or BD team to directly support pipeline through marketing
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills — able to make complex or technical subject matter clear, compelling, and human
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in defense, aerospace, national security, government technology, or adjacent dual-use sectors
- Familiarity with B2G markets and federal procurement dynamics, including how the DoD and intelligence community evaluate and engage vendors
- Experience managing or directing a PR agency and holding them to a proactive earned media strategy
- Familiarity with design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite)
- MBA or advanced degree in marketing, communications, or a related field
Work Environment
- The position is working onsite at our headquarters 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.
- Travel up to 10% to Industry Conferences, Customer Meetings, Team Offsites, Event Oversight, Vendor Visits etc. as needed
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.
Backed by leading investors across defense, aerospace, and technology, Firestorm is redefining how defense capability is built, fielded, and sustained in contested environments.
We are looking for builders, operators, and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.
Compensation
Base Salary: $160,000-195,000 USD base, commensurate with experience
Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company
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 holiday hiatuses in July & 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.
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.
