Senior R&D Technician - Mechanisms

Castelion; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Castelion in Torrance, CA is seeking a Senior R&D Technician - Mechanisms to execute assembly builds for CAS and TVCA components supporting flight and development activities in 2026. You will help establish production‑ready processes and build out the production area for scalable assemblies.

This hands-on role mentors others, troubleshoots issues, and ensures timely, high‑quality delivery of multiple vehicles throughout the year, working with skilled teammates to turn bold ideas into real

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on mechanical experience in aerospace/automotive systems, maintenance/troubleshooting, or fabrication/assembly of complex electromechanical systems.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from drawings and controlled documentation.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Experience with lathes and 3-axis mills is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Execute complex aerospace mechanism builds in support of flight objectives.
• Develop production-ready mechanisms from development to production.
• Assist in tooling and infrastructure for production builds.
• Mentor engineers and technicians on manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot issues during development builds and implement corrective actions.
• Perform simple rework on mills and lathes.
• Set up tests for characterization, ATP and qualification of flight mechanisms.
• Run functional testing of flight mechanisms.
• Maintain and calibrate shop equipment.

Skills

Mechanisms

Aerospace manufacturing

Reading drawings

Mentoring

Education

Associate degree

A&P License

Tools

MES software

Job description

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability. This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

Senior R&D Technician - Mechanisms

As a Sr. R&D Technician - Mechanisms, you will play a key role in executing assembly builds for all CAS and TVCA components supporting flight and development activities in 2026. You will help establish production‑ready processes, build out the production area, and implement the tools and mechanisms needed to efficiently produce assemblies at scale. This role is hands‑on and critical to ensure timely, high‑quality delivery of numerous vehicles throughout the year.

Responsibilities

• Execute on complex aerospace mechanism builds in support of Castelion's flight objectives.
• Bring mechanism build processes from development to production ready.
• Assist in developing tooling and infrastructure necessary to execute on production builds.
• Mentor lower‑level engineers and technicians regarding industry best practice in developing manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot issues that arise during development builds and implement corrective actions.
• Perform simple rework operations on manual mills and lathes.
• Perform test set up necessary to characterize, ATP and qualify flight mechanisms.
• Run functional testing of flight mechanisms.
• Ensure shop equipment is well maintained and calibrated where necessary.

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.
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs
• Ability to walk throughout the facility and on uneven terrain
• Ability to climb ladders and in and out of motor vehicles
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands and arms
• Ability to work outdoors in both hot and cold climates

Preferred Skills And Experience

• 6+ years in aerospace manufacturing, with a focus on electro‑mechanical mechanisms or complex mechanical assemblies.
• Associate degree
• A&P License.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and work from drawings, controlled documentation and processes such as: layout drawings, mechanical drawings, assembly procedures/work instructions; schematics, engineering drawings, and parts list
• Experience with MES software.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• High proficiency with lathes and 3 axis mills.

Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.

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.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.

Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

EAR/ITAR Requirements

This position requires access to export‑controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export‑controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.