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Composites R&D Technician – Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

Torrance, California, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

Castelion is hiring a R&D Technician to support its ceramic matrix composite (CMC) pilot line, focused on operating chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors. This is a hands-on role involving equipment operation, process monitoring, and consistent execution of reactor runs.

Responsibilities include setting up and running cycles, recording process data, and identifying and troubleshooting issues as they arise. Strong attention to detail, adherence to safety protocols, and disciplined documentation are essential.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working with complex equipment and control systems, and brings a practical, problem-solving mindset. This role works closely with engineering teams to support process development and improvement.

Responsibilities

  • Supporting of ceramic matrix composite pilot line build and operation
  • Monitor, operate and troubleshoot chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors
  • Industrial equipment operation and maintenance
  • Assist process development of chemical vapor deposition process
  • Setting up and running cycles for material batches
  • Recording process data and notating any specific production anomalies for further investigation
  • Trouble shooting pilot line mechanical and electrical issues
  • Enforce safety protocols for furnace and heavy machinery operation

Basic Qualifications

  • High school diploma
  • 2+ years of experience in hands on mechanical, aerospace or manufacturing environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Must be willing to swing shift (3:30pm to 11:30pm)
  • Experience operating and serving complex machinery including chemical reactors, high-temperature furnaces, automated composite layup equipment, or petroleum hardware
  • 2 years of experience with aerospace composites
  • 3-years of experience in the aerospace industry
  • Experience with analog and digital instrumentation (control systems, load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, encoders, deflection gauges, and accelerometers)

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.

About Castelion

Castelion

Castelion is one of the fastest-rising defense technology companies focused on building affordable, rapidly deployable hypersonic strike systems for the U.S. military. Founded by former SpaceX leaders, the company is working to modernize how advanced weapons are developed and manufactured—using rapid iteration, vertical integration, and scalable production to deliver next-generation deterrence capabilities faster than traditional defense programs. Castelion’s mission centers on restoring America’s ability to field advanced military technology at speed and scale.

For job seekers, Castelion offers the opportunity to work directly on some of the most advanced technologies in national defense, including propulsion systems, avionics, flight software, guidance and navigation, missile systems, and advanced manufacturing. The company hires across aerospace engineering, embedded software, manufacturing, test engineering, avionics, cybersecurity, and operations—making it especially attractive to engineers, builders, veterans, and mission-driven professionals who want hands-on ownership of real hardware.

Unlike traditional defense contractors, Castelion operates with a startup-style engineering culture modeled after rapid aerospace development environments. Employees work closely with flight hardware, testing, and production systems in a fast-paced setting where speed, accountability, and execution are prioritized. The company openly emphasizes a builder mentality—giving team members the chance to own major projects and contribute directly to systems with national security impact.

As the U.S. military increases investment in hypersonic weapons, missile modernization, and scalable deterrence capabilities, Castelion continues to grow rapidly through major government contracts and manufacturing expansion. For professionals seeking a high-growth aerospace and defense company where they can help shape the future of national security technology, Castelion is quickly becoming one of the most exciting employers in the defense innovation ecosystem.

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