Avionics Manufacturing Specialist

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’re designing, building, and testing next generation long range strike weapons systems to give America and its Allies a definitive edge and deter future conflicts.

Avionics Manufacturing Specialist

Castelion is looking for an Avionics Manufacturing Specialist, reporting to the Head of Avionics, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of long-range hypersonic strike vehicles. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our El Segundo facility. As an Avionics Manufacturing Specialist, you will work closely with our engineering teams to execute highly technical electrical builds for our research vehicles, assist in advancing designs, and play a critical role in defining and maturing manufacturing, assembly and integration processes.

Responsibilities

• Work with avionics engineering by rapidly iterating electronic components and cables
• Construct superior wire cables, perform PCB assembly rework, assemble, and test racks/systems, electro-mechanical units, engineering enclosures, and test equipment
• Create and record testing systems and cable diagrams according to engineer-selected testing gear
• Collaborate closely with engineering to transform concepts into reality
• Monitor one's own work progress against established standards and deliver all work on schedule
• Examine, interpret, and use drawings and regulated documentation and procedures
• Understand intricate cable harnesses, wiring diagrams, mechanical and layout drawings, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
• Verify flight hardware and thoroughly document outcomes
• Aid in developing manufacturing processes for initial production runs
• Contribute to projects aimed at increasing operational efficiency in the area

Basic Qualifications

• 5 years of avionics technician experience
• Experience reading PCBA schematics and execute rework
• Capability to rework 0201 SMD and BGA components in tight spaces
• Experience read wiring harness drawings to build and troubleshoot laboratory and flight articles
• Knowledge of and adherence to industry standards, such as IPC-610 and IPC-620
• Proficient with test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and signal generators.
• Demonstrated direct or indirect leadership

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a research and development environment

• Previous involvement in a high-speed production environment, handling flight hardware
• Prior involvement in a high-output environment, involving hands-on experience in constructing cables, electro-mechanical devices, or building prototypes
• Ability to acclimate to frequently changing assignments and a fast-paced working environment
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities
• Superb focus and attention to detail, with remarkable work efficiency and accuracy
• Experience with soldering PCBAs, including soldering in tight spaces such as 0402 packages and high-density ICs, installing jumpers, and performing dead-bugging
• Expertise in manufacturing and repairing intricate testing systems
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools such as SVN, Confluence, and JIRA
• Basic comprehension of electronic principles and theory
• Skills in project management

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
• Must be able to travel up to 30%
• All employees are granted long-term stock incentives as part of their employment as Castelion. All employees receive access to comprehensive medial, vision, and dental insurance, and the company offers three weeks of paid time off per year.

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.