Senior R&D Technician - Fabrication & Test | Build and Test Prototype Hardware for Next-Generation Air Defense
Gardena, CA | On-site
Opportunity Summary
A Series A, venture-backed defense company is hiring a senior R&D technician to sit at the center of its prototype and test operations. You will fabricate, machine, assemble and test new hardware alongside the engineering team, keeping quality high and documentation clean while the company iterates quickly on next-generation systems.
Beyond your own builds, you will help shape how the technician team works. Expect to write best practices for fabrication, machining, assembly and inspection, mentor and train other technicians, bring equipment online, and travel to off-site test events to support critical validation campaigns.
About Us
We are a Series A, venture-backed defense technology company in the Los Angeles area building affordable air defense systems designed for high-volume production. Our team includes engineers and operators from leading commercial space, defense technology and electric vehicle companies, and we design and build our subsystems in house so we can iterate and test quickly. Our focus now is taking proven prototypes into production at a scale traditional defense supply chains struggle to reach.
Job Duties
- Fabricate, machine, weld and assemble prototype hardware to engineering drawings, specifications and safety standards
- Build and operate test setups and support system-level test and validation, including travel to off-site test locations
- Partner with engineers on rapid design iterations and give practical input on manufacturability in design reviews
- Specify, source and commission shop equipment, and research better tools and methods
- Document builds, tests and process steps so results are traceable and repeatable
- Write and maintain best practices for fabrication, machining, assembly and quality inspection
- Troubleshoot technical problems on the floor and drive corrective actions
- Mentor and train technicians on new tools, processes and quality expectations
- Coordinate resources and report project status to engineering leads
Qualifications
- 5+ years as a technician in a high-performance R&D or manufacturing environment
- Hands-on experience across several of the following: fabrication, machining, welding, pneumatic or hydraulic systems, test processes and test stand builds
- Ability to read and work from engineering drawings, specifications and procedures
- Solid understanding of aerospace-grade quality and production standards
- Strong troubleshooting skills and a bias toward hands-on problem solving
- Clear communication and experience leading or coordinating other technicians
- Willingness to travel for off-site testing
- U.S. person as defined by ITAR
Preferred Experience
- Background in aerospace, defense, nuclear or advanced manufacturing
- Experience with fluid, gas or high-voltage systems
- Precision machining, materials knowledge and quality inspection techniques
- Experience building complex systems and their build processes from scratch
- Exposure to automation, robotics or lean manufacturing practices
- Familiarity with PLM, ERP or production planning tools
Why Join Us
- Build real flight and ground hardware from first prototype through test
- Help define the technician team's standards and grow into a leadership role
- Fast iteration cycle with frequent testing
- Well-funded Series A company with strong demand
- Small, experienced team that values speed and quality equally
- Competitive pay with early-stage equity
Compensation Details
$85,000 - $115,000 + equity
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by 22 CFR 120.62.
