Back to Jobs

Job Description

Overview

Castelion is a company focused on innovative defense development and production, emphasizing short design cycles and rapid testing. They are seeking a detail-oriented Lead R&D Technician to support the testing of hypersonic missile components and systems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a team of technicians in the fabrication, assembly, and modification of test articles.
  • Supervise the assembly and configuration of test fixtures, instrumentation, and equipment for development tests.
  • Participate in hazardous test operations, including configuration, execution, troubleshooting, and monitoring.
  • Accurately capture and log test data using appropriate software and hardware tools.
  • Perform initial data reviews to identify anomalies or deviations from expected results.
  • Provide test data summaries and reports to engineering teams.
  • Maintain, calibrate, configure, monitor, test, troubleshoot, install, and repair instrumentation and electrical systems.
  • Perform routine maintenance on test setups and ensure compliance with calibration standards.
  • Collaborate with engineers to refine test plans and procedures.
  • Maintain detailed and accurate test logs, records, and documentation for traceability and audits.
  • Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
  • 5+ years of hands-on mechanical experience in testing aerospace/automotive systems or fabrication/assembly of complex electromechanical systems.
  • Associate degree in engineering, mechanical, electrical systems, or related field preferred.
  • Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office, Teamcenter, NX.
  • Experience reading/interpreting planning documents, schematics, and engineering sketches.
  • Experience with precision measuring instruments/equipment.
  • Experience with aerospace or military-grade harness fabrication.
  • Knowledge of data acquisition and controls concepts and hardware.
  • Experience with analog and digital instrumentation.
  • Experience with rigging, cranes, and lift operations.
Apply for This Position

How this job compares in Torrance, CA

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Torrance, CA currently run a median of $42/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $35–$78/hr across 22 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Torrance, CA

We're tracking 33 other active welding openings in Torrance, CA right now, from 14 different employers. 10 of them were added in the last week. Across California as a whole we're tracking 505 other active welding openings from 240 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Torrance, or widen the search to California.

Castelion currently has 3 other openings live in California, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in California at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are SpaceX (37), Relativity Space (18), and Welding Shop in Los Angeles, CA (13). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within California, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are El Segundo at $53/hr, Los Angeles at $51/hr, and Pasadena at $50/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Torrance, CA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Lead R&D Technician figures were last recalculated when this page was built.