About Castelion

Castelion is bringing a new approach to defense development and production: one that focuses on short, iterative design cycles, rapid testing in development, and modern commercial manufacturing strategies for production at scale. We design, build, and test next generation weapon systems to give America and its Allies a definitive edge in defense capabilities.

R&D Technician – Structural Welding

Castelion is seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated R&D Technician focused on structural welding to join our manufacturing team. In this role, you will support the design, setup, execution, and documentation of GSE/Test article fabrication at our Mariner Factory, support the build and integration of flight assemblies, and occasionally travel to support launch activities across the country. You will work closely with design and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure products meet rigorous performance, reliability, and safety standard.

Responsibilities:

• Work with a team of technicians responsible for fabrication, assembly, and modification of Flight, GSE and Test articles (Structural Welding, precision drilling, bonding, harnessing)
• Execute on the welding and assembly of GSE, flight articles, and fest fixtures.
• Capable of assembling, servicing, and operation hydraulic actuation systems.
• Interpret drawings and engineering specifications for the purpose of fabricating structural steel weldments and aerospace flight assemblies.
• Collaborate with engineers to refine designs and procedures.
• Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts.

Basic Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years experience in structural welding.
• 3+ 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 50lbs
• 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:

• Associate degree in engineering, mechanical, electrical systems, or other related field
• LA City Welding Certification
• 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 rigging, cranes, and lift operations

Leadership Qualities

• Bias to Action and Creative Problem Solving. Desire and experience questioning assumptions in ways that lead to break through ideas that are ultimately implemented. Successfully bring in applicable processes/concepts/materials from other industries to achieve efficiency gains. Ability to personally resolve minor issues in development without requiring significant support.
• High Commitment, High Initiative. A successful candidate will have a genuine passion for Castelion's mission and consistently look for ways to contribute to the company's technical goals and prevent hardware blockers. Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere. Strong sense of accountability and integrity.
• Clear Communicator. Proactively communicates blockers. Trusted in previous roles to be voice of company with regulators, suppliers, gate keepers and customers. Capable of tactfully managing relationships with stakeholders to achieve company-desired outcomes without compromising relationships. Emails, IMs and verbal interactions are logical, drive clarity, and detailed enough to eliminate ambiguity.

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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.

All employees are granted long-term stock incentives as part of their employment at Castelion. All employees receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance, and the company offers four weeks of paid time off per year.