Aerospace Mechanical Assembly & Test Lead

Castelion Corporation; Rio Rancho (NM); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Castelion Corporation is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Assembly, Integration & Test Lead to own the physical assembly, integration, and testing of its long‑range hypersonic strike vehicles. You will guide vehicle integration from early prototypes through qualification and production transition.

The role requires deep mechanical judgment and coordination with electrical, avionics, propulsion, and structural interfaces, leading engineers and technicians to deliver flight‑ready vehicles at a high

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in aerospace, defense, or another high‑reliability hardware environment, with significant responsibility for vehicle integration, assembly, testing, or production transition.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex aerospace hardware from prototype development through qualification or production.
• Experience leading hands‑on assembly, integration, and test activities for complex mechanical or electromechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, structural interfaces, fasteners, materials, tolerances, and assembly processes.
• Experience integrating electrical, avionics, wiring, and power or data systems into mechanical assemblies.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software; Siemens NX experience preferred.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional technical work and resolve ambiguous, system‑level hardware problems.

Responsibilities

• Own assembly, integration, and mechanical test processes for complete long‑range hypersonic strike vehicle assemblies, including solid rocket motors, structural and composite components, mechanisms, electrical systems, and avionics.
• Develop a deep understanding of vehicle‑level interfaces, subsystem interactions, operational environments, and field use.
• Define vehicle integration strategies, build sequences, test flows, acceptance criteria, and readiness assessments.
• Partner with design, manufacturing, systems, and quality engineering teams to transition hardware from concept and prototype through qualification and production.
• Evaluate designs for manufacturability, assembly, testability, serviceability, and producibility; drive requirements and design changes through technical reviews.
• Develop, document, validate, and qualify manufacturing, assembly, and test processes.
• Create and maintain work instructions, test procedures, manufacturing bills of material, inspection requirements, and quality standards.
• Design and commission tooling, test stands, lifting equipment, jigs, fixtures, and other integration and test equipment.
• Lead hands‑on build and test operations alongside engineers and technicians, including flight‑hardware assembly, subsystem installation, functional testing, environmental testing, acceptance testing, and test‑data review.
• Establish acceptance criteria, assess test results, and make technical recommendations for subsystem and vehicle readiness.
• Lead fault isolation, root cause analysis, corrective action, and resolution of mechanical and cross‑disciplinary integration issues.
• Coordinate with supply chain, vendors, fabricators, and subcontractors to ensure components and subsystems are delivered in a configuration ready for vehicle integration.
• Establish scalable processes that support rapid development while enabling repeatable, production‑ready vehicle builds.
• Balance technical rigor, safety, schedule, and program objectives in a fast‑paced hardware‑development environment.

Skills

8+ years aerospace hardware experience

Hands-on mechanical assembly and key-l

Cross-functional leadership

Integration strategy development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Job description

Castelion Corporation is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Assembly, Integration & Test Lead to own the physical assembly, integration, and testing of its long‑range hypersonic strike vehicles. You will guide vehicle integration from early prototypes through qualification and production transition.

The role requires deep mechanical judgment and coordination with electrical, avionics, propulsion, and structural interfaces, leading engineers and technicians to deliver flight‑ready vehicles at a high