Avionics Technician Specialist

Avionics Technician Specialist

An Avionics Technician Specialist at Castelion provides hands-on technical support for the development, assembly, integration, test, and troubleshooting of complex hardware and systems.  This role works closely with engineers to build test enclosures and cables, operate laboratory equipment, execute test procedures, troubleshoot hardware, and collect and analyze test data.  The Engineering Technician Specialist is expected to work independently, identify problems quickly, and help drive hardware from development through lessons learned on assembly, test, and integration.

Responsibilities:

• Build, modify, integrate, and troubleshoot engineering development hardware, test fixtures, cables, harnesses, instrumentation, and laboratory test setups.
• Support engineering development and test activities by executing test procedures, collecting data, documenting results, and communicating anomalies and observations to engineering teams.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment including power supplies, oscilloscopes, electronic loads, data acquisition systems, signal generators, environmental test equipment, and other specialized test equipment.
• Develop, configure, and maintain test setups and instrumentation to support electrical, mechanical, environmental, and system-level testing.
• Troubleshoot electrical, electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical hardware using schematics, drawings, specifications, test equipment, and systematic fault-isolation techniques.
• Provide redlines and as-built feedback to engineering for improved designs.
• Work closely with engineers to develop practical test methods, fixtures, tooling, and instrumentation that enable rapid hardware development and iteration.
• Support hardware bring-up, integration, qualification, and failure investigations by identifying issues, isolating root causes, and implementing or recommending corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate configuration, calibration, and inventory records for laboratory equipment, test hardware, fixtures, cables, and other engineering assets.
• Coordinate laboratory activities and shared test resources to ensure equipment, facilities, and test setups are available when needed to support development schedules.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, test methods, equipment utilization, safety, reliability, and turnaround time.
• Assist with the design and fabrication of custom fixtures, tooling, and test equipment using appropriate electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing techniques.
• Support safe laboratory operations by following established procedures for electrical safety, hazardous energy, ESD, high voltage, pressure systems, and other applicable hazards.
• Document test configurations, procedures, results, failures, and lessons learned in engineering databases and documentation systems.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on test efficiency, hardware reliability, quality, safety, cost reduction, and overall engineering effectiveness.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate's degree, technical degree, or equivalent technical training with 3+ years of relevant hands-on experience; or 5+ years of relevant professional experience in engineering test, laboratory operations, manufacturing, electronics, mechanical systems, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience troubleshooting electrical, electronic, mechanical, or electromechanical hardware.
• Experience operating common engineering laboratory and test equipment such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, function generators, and data acquisition systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, robotics, or other complex hardware development programs.
• Experience with high-voltage, high-power, RF, digital, analog, or mixed-signal electrical systems.
• Experience developing or modifying test fixtures, harnesses, cables, instrumentation, and laboratory setups.
• Experience with automated test equipment and test software such as Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, sensors, signal conditioning, and test automation.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, network analyzers, power analyzers, thermal cameras, or other specialized instrumentation.
• Experience with soldering, wire termination, crimping, cable fabrication, PCB rework, and electrical assembly.
• Experience with mechanical fabrication, machining, 3D printing, CAD, or fixture design.
• Strong ability to interpret technical documentation and translate engineering requirements into practical test setups.
• Highly self-directed, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with an emphasis on speed, precision, and practical execution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly document test results, hardware issues, and troubleshooting activities.
• Experience working with laboratory safety programs, ESD controls, hazardous energy, high-voltage systems, and other engineering test hazards.