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Aerospace, Defense, Deep Tech, Hardware

Avionics Lab & Infrastructure Manager

Torrance, CAOnsiteFull TimeManager / HeadPosted 1 month ago

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Required skills

  • engineering laboratory facilities
  • rapid development
  • integration
  • test
  • next-generation hardware
  • safe
  • reliable
  • capable lab environments
  • equipment
  • tooling

Nice to have

  • contractors
  • technical capability
  • aerospace
  • defense
  • electronics
  • mechanical

Role summary

Castelion is seeking an Engineering Lab Manager to oversee the daily operations, readiness, and continuous improvement of engineering laboratory facilities. This role ensures engineering teams have the necessary environments, equipment, and resources for rapid development, integration, and testing of next-generation hardware. Responsibilities include managing lab operations, establishing procedures, coordinating resources, overseeing equipment lifecycle, developing readiness metrics, and partnering with various internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience, with at least 3 years in lab operations or a related technical environment, and hands-on experience managing lab equipment and infrastructure. Experience with safety, compliance, and continuous improvement methodologies is essential.

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

Avionics Lab & Infrastructure Manager

Castelion is looking for an Avionics Lab & Infrastructure Manager to lead the development, organization, and continuous improvement of our Avionics manufacturing and engineering laboratories.

In this role, you will own lab operations and infrastructure, lead the setup of our new Avionics manufacturing space, and improve manufacturing efficiency through value stream mapping, standardized processes, and optimized workflows. You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and facilities teams to build scalable operations that support increasing production demand.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who takes ownership, solves problems, and drives results. This role offers the opportunity to build and lead a team as operations scale.

Responsibilities

  • Own the organization, operational readiness, and continuous improvement of the Avionics laboratories.
  • Lead the planning, layout, and setup of new Avionics manufacturing spaces, including equipment, workstations, utilities, and material flow.
  • Develop value stream maps to identify bottlenecks, improve workflows, and increase manufacturing throughput.
  • Implement 5S, visual management, and standardized laboratory organization practices.
  • Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratory equipment, tooling, and infrastructure.
  • Manage equipment installation, calibration, preventive maintenance, and operational readiness.
  • Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and facilities teams to resolve infrastructure constraints and improve operational efficiency.
  • Plan and implement laboratory equipment and infrastructure improvements to support production growth.
  • Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience; or 6+ years of equivalent professional experience.
  • Hands-on experience in manufacturing operations, engineering laboratories, or similar technical environments.
  • Experience with facility layouts, equipment installations, and manufacturing workflow improvements.
  • Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and driving improvements independently.
  • Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Experience with Lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, 5S, and continuous improvement.
  • Experience designing manufacturing layouts, optimizing material flow, and developing scalable laboratory infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with electronics manufacturing, including PCBA, wire harnessing, electrical integration, and testing.
  • Experience developing equipment SOPs, calibration programs, and preventive maintenance processes.
  • Experience with CAD software, laboratory equipment, and capital equipment installations.
  • Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other complex hardware manufacturing environments.
  • Strong ownership, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills.
  • Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.

    Other Duties

    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

    Additional Eligibility Requirements

    This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.

    Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

    Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

    Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact hr@castelion.com. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.

    Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

    EAR/ITAR Requirements

    This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.

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