Avionics R&D Tech II/Senior (Integration)

Avionics R&D Tech II/Senior (Integration & Harnessing)

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.

Castelion is looking for an Avionics Integration & Harness Technician, reporting to the Manager, R&D Operations, to support the development and production of systems required for long-range hypersonic strike vehicles. This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in our Torrance, California facility.

As an Avionics Integration & Harness Technician, you will work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to execute electrical and electro-mechanical builds in support of development and production activities. This role is focused on wire harness fabrication, avionics integration, electrical routing, connectorization, hardware installation, testing, and system-level integration while supporting manufacturing processes, documentation, and continuous improvement efforts.

Responsibilities

• Build wire harnesses, cable assemblies, breakouts, and electrical interconnect systems to engineering specifications
• Perform wire termination, crimping, connector assembly, shielding, splicing, labeling, and harness routing as required
• Assemble, integrate, and test avionics hardware, electrical subsystems, electro-mechanical units, and support equipment
• Execute avionics integration activities, including electrical installation, cable routing, connector mating, and hardware fit-up
• Support development builds, prototype builds, and transition into initial production
• Execute manufacturing and test processes according to work instructions, drawings, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation
• Assist with setup and maintenance of tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment
• Read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, harness drawings, pinouts, assembly drawings, and controlled documentation
• Identify integration issues, fitment concerns, and electrical discrepancies and escalate to engineering or manufacturing leadership
• Support continuity checks, basic electrical validation, troubleshooting, and system bring-up activities
• Support process improvement initiatives focused on quality, repeatability, and efficiency
• Maintain a clean, organized, and ESD-compliant work environment
• Monitor work progress against schedules and support production priorities as needed

Basic Qualifications

• 2+ years of avionics technician, electrical integration, harness fabrication, aerospace manufacturing, or related hands-on assembly experience
• Experience building wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and electrical interconnect systems
• Experience reading electrical schematics, harness drawings, wiring diagrams, and connector pinouts
• Experience with wire termination, crimping, connector installation, and cable routing best practices
• Experience working with IPC-610 and IPC-620 standards
• Familiarity with avionics, electrical, or electro-mechanical integration processes
• Ability to follow work instructions, engineering drawings, and controlled documentation
• Strong attention to detail and workmanship quality
• Experience working in an ESD-controlled manufacturing environment
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced development and production environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive motorsports, launch, UAV, or other highly regulated industries
• Experience building flight harnesses, prototype harnesses, avionics racks, or test systems
• Familiarity with Mil-Spec connectors, backshells, shielding, coax, twisted pair, and high-reliability cable assemblies
• Experience supporting avionics integration, vehicle integration, or electrical subsystem installation
• Familiarity with manufacturing documentation and configuration-controlled environments
• Experience supporting engineering development builds and rapid iteration efforts
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools such as JIRA and Confluence
• Basic understanding of electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics using multimeters or continuity testing equipment
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and evolving hardware designs

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
• Must be able to travel up to 20% of the time

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 as Castelion. All employees receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance, and the company offers four weeks of paid time off per year.