Aerospace Build Technician — Prototyping & Test

We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and several Silicon Valley firms. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.

Role Overview

As a Build Technician, you’ll be at the heart of our prototyping and production efforts. This is a dual-discipline role requiring a solid foundation in both mechanical and electrical assembly. You’ll be assembling and testing complex hardware. You’ll work closely with engineering, test, and production teams to ensure quality, performance, and on-time delivery of mission-critical systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with engineering to fabricate prototypes, build and operate test systems while ensuring adherence to specifications, quality standards, and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with engineering to improve designs through rapid iteration to refine manufacturing techniques.
• Participate in design reviews, providing input on long term manufacturability, available resources, and design improvements.
• Develop and document best practices for machining, fabrication, assembly, and quality inspection.
• Identify and resolve technical challenges, implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support critical system testing and validation efforts, ensuring products meet performance and reliability requirements. Some of these efforts will require off-site travel.
• Train and upskill technicians on new processes, tools, and industry best practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment .

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years in a high-performance manufacturing or R&D environment with experience in multiple of the following areas: fabrication, machining, welding, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, test processes, test stand development.
• Deep understanding of aerospace-grade production/quality standards and a demonstrated track record of enforcing them.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and technical specifications & processes.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience developing complex systems from scratch and the corresponding manufacturing processes
• Experience in aerospace, nuclear, defense, or advanced manufacturing industries.
• Background in process optimization and lean manufacturing principles.
• Familiarity with PLM, ERP, and manufacturing planning systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to technical challenges.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to build and coordinate a high-performing team.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
• The job may require frequently lifting up to 50 lbs and performing physically demanding tasks as needed.