Lead R&D Technician Hardware

Front Door Defense; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Equity

Personal Time Off

Company Paid Holidays

Medical Coverage

Dental & Vision

FSA/HSA Options

401k Retirement Plan

Paid Parental Leave

Meals & Catering

Snacks & Beverages

Performance & Fitness Stipend

EV Charging

Job summary

Castelion is hiring a Lead R&D Technician in Torrance, California, to lead the hypersonic test program. This role involves overseeing a team that fabricates and assembles components for testing, ensuring all systems meet strict performance and safety standards. Responsibilities include data logging, collaborating with engineering teams, and maintaining test setups. Candidates must have a high school diploma and 5+ years of mechanical experience, preferably in aerospace or automotive sectors, with strong computer skills. Benefits include equity, extensive PTO, medical, and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on mechanical experience in aerospace/automotive systems.
• Ability to read/interpreting planning documents and schematics.
• Experience with precision measuring instruments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of technicians responsible for fabrication and assembly.
• Supervise assembly and configuration of test fixtures and instrumentation.
• Accurately capture and log test data using appropriate tools.

Skills

Mechanical experience

Testing of aerospace/automotive systems

Maintenance/troubleshooting complex mechanical systems

Fabrication/assembly of complex electromechanical systems

Education

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

Associate degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Teamcenter

NX

Job description

Lead R&D Technician

Own our hypersonic test program's technician team for development and data logging

Location: Torrance, California, United States

About The Role

Castelion is seeking a detail‑oriented and highly motivated Lead R&D Technician to join our manufacturing team. In this role, you will support the design, setup, execution, and documentation of tests on hypersonic missile components and systems during the development phase. You will work closely with design and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure products meet rigorous performance, reliability, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of technicians responsible for fabrication, assembly, and modification of test articles (precision drilling, bonding, harnessing)
• Supervise assembly and configuration of test fixtures, instrumentation, and equipment for development tests (mechanical and fluid assemblies, data and control systems)
• Participate in hazardous test operations – including configuration, execution, troubleshooting and monitoring/data recording
• Accurately capture and log test data using appropriate software and hardware tools
• Perform initial data reviews to identify anomalies or deviations from expected results
• Provide test data summaries and reports to engineering teams
• Maintain, calibrate, configure, monitor, test, troubleshoot, install, and repair instrumentation, process controls, data acquisition systems, and electrical systems
• Perform routine maintenance on test setups and ensure compliance with calibration standards
• Collaborate with engineers to refine test plans and procedures
• Maintain detailed and accurate test logs, records, and documentation for traceability and audits
• Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years of hands‑on mechanical experience in one or more of the following: testing of aerospace/automotive systems, maintenance/troubleshooting complex mechanical systems, and/or fabrication/assembly of complex electromechanical systems

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Associate degree in engineering, mechanical, electrical systems, or other related field
• Computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office, Teamcenter, NX
• Experience reading/interpreting planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches
• Experience with precision measuring instruments/equipment
• Experience with aerospace or military‑grade harness fabrication
• Knowledge of data acquisition and controls concepts, hardware, and interfacing (National Instruments PXI / cSeries and PLC)
• Experience with analog and digital instrumentation (load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, encoders, deflection gauges, and accelerometers)
• Experience with rigging, cranes, and lift operations

Benefits And Perks

• Employee Equity: Meaningful equity for all full‑time employees – share value has increased 150x in three years
• Personal Time Off: Four weeks of paid time off to unplug, reset, and come back sharp
• Company Paid Holidays: Ten company paid holidays
• Medical: We offer plans at 100% employee coverage and 80% of dependent coverage
• Dental & Vision: We cover 90% employees and 80% for dependents
• FSA/HSA: Options that allow employees to set aside pre‑tax dollars for eligible medical and dependent care expenses
• Retirement: 401k plan offered to support long‑term financial growth alongside high‑impact work
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 10 weeks for birthing parents and up to 4 weeks for non‑birthing parents, with additional paid pregnancy leave for CA employees
• Meals & Catering: Frequently catered lunches and team meals, plus company‑covered meals when extra time or effort is required
• Snacks & Beverages: Fully stocked kitchen with unlimited snacks and drinks
• Performance & Fitness: $100 monthly fitness stipend
• EV Charging: Onsite electric vehicle charging available for employees

Physical Demands

• Must be able to stand or stoop for up to 8 hours per day
• Must be able to carry up to 50lbs unassisted

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information. Employment may be contingent upon obtaining and maintaining the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Employment with Castelion is governed on the basis of competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.