Mechanical Technician

Wardstone; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Wardstone in Los Angeles is seeking a skilled machinist/fabricator to build and assemble the hardware that flies on our interceptor platforms. You will machine parts, fabricate fixtures, and assemble airframes while supporting ground and flight tests under the Mechanical Engineering Lead.

You will work closely with propulsion, avionics, and aerodynamics teams, turning design changes into parts quickly and ensuring builds meet drawings, tolerances, and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Technical certificate or military training in machining or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years hands-on experience in machining, fabrication, or mechanical assembly.
• Experience running manual or CNC mills and lathes.
• Ability to read engineering drawings with tolerances and GD&T.
• Skilled with precision measuring tools.
• Safe, organized, and diligent in work and records.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work on your feet in a shop.

Responsibilities

• Machine parts on manual and CNC mills and lathes from drawings.
• Fabricate test fixtures, tooling, brackets, and ground support equipment.
• Assemble airframe structures and subassemblies per drawings and procedures.
• Install fasteners, inserts, and joints to specification with torque values.
• Integrate hardware from other teams into the vehicle.
• Inspect parts with calipers, micrometers, and height gauges.
• Support tests, static fires, and flight tests at ranges.
• Record build and inspection results and maintain shop tools.

Skills

Machining experience

Read engineering drawings

GD&T knowledge

Precision measuring tools

Shop safety

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Hands-on fabrication

Education

Technical certificate / trade school or military training in machining

U.S. person per ITAR / security clearance eligibility

Tools

Fusion 360 CAM

Mastercam CAM

Aerospace hardware assembly

A&P license

Job description

You will machine, build, and assemble the hardware that flies on our first two interceptor platforms. You’ll make parts and test fixtures in our shop, assemble airframe structures and mechanisms, and support ground and flight tests. You’ll report to the Mechanical Engineering Lead.

You’ll also work alongside the propulsion, avionics, and aerodynamics teams. The hardware you build will go through testing and fly.

What You’ll Do

Machine and fabricate

• Machine parts on manual and CNC mills and lathes from engineering drawings.
• Fabricate test fixtures, tooling, brackets, and ground support equipment.
• Work quickly with engineers to turn design changes into new parts.
• Assemble airframe structures, mechanisms, and subassemblies following drawings and procedures.
• Install fasteners, inserts, and bonded joints to specification, including torque values.
• Integrate hardware from the propulsion and avionics teams into the vehicle.

Inspect and support tests

• Inspect in-house and vendor parts using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and other measuring tools.
• Set up, run, and tear down structural, vibration, and environmental tests.
• Support static fires and flight tests at test ranges.

Keep the shop running

• Record build and inspection results.
• Maintain shop machines, tools, and safety equipment, and keep the shop organized.
• Track raw material and hardware inventory.
• Suggest better fixtures, tools, and processes to make builds faster and more consistent.

Required Qualifications

• Technical certificate, trade school, or military training in machining or mechanical fabrication, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience in machining, fabrication, or mechanical assembly.
• Experience running manual or CNC mills and lathes.
• Able to read engineering drawings, including tolerances and GD&T.
• Skilled with precision measuring tools.
• Safe, organized, and careful in your work and records.
• Able to lift up to [50] lbs and work on your feet in a shop environment.
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). [Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance.]

Nice to Have

• CNC programming and CAM experience (e.g., Fusion 360 or Mastercam).
• Experience with aerospace or defense hardware assembly.
• Composite layup, bonding, or TIG welding experience.
• Military maintenance experience or an A&P license.
• Experience supporting structural or environmental tests.
• Prior early-stage startup experience.

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $90,000 – $130,000 per year.