About Us

We are a small, fast-moving team building next-generation jet engines for aerospace and defense. Backed by leading investors and led by proven founders, we’re assembling a high-performance team to reinvent propulsion from the ground up. This is a rare chance to create genuinely new technology and to watch it go from a sketch on your screen to hardware that actually enters service. We design it, analyze it, build it, and test it, often in the same week.

Lead Technician

About the Role

We're looking for a hands-on Lead Technician to anchor our production floor as we build our first engines. You'll be the senior craftsperson on the bench—executing complex builds, training and mentoring junior technicians, and helping the Manufacturing Supervisor establish the standards and rhythm of the shop. This is a high-ownership role: you set the bar for quality, pace, and shop discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex engine assembly, integration, and sub-assembly builds to drawing and work instruction requirements

• Set the pace and quality standard on the shop floor; own your work from start to sign-off

• Train, mentor, and support junior technicians across build tasks, tools, and shop practices

• Identify and escalate build issues, non-conformances, and engineering discrepancies early

• Support build traveler documentation, redlines, and as-built recordkeeping

• Maintain FOD discipline, tool control, and calibration compliance across the team

• Assist the Manufacturing Supervisor with workflow coordination, kitting, and part readiness

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing, engine assembly, or precision hardware production

• Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor other technicians in a build environment

• Deep proficiency in precision assembly: torque practices, thread inserts, press fits, and safety-wiring

• Comfortable reading and building to engineering drawings, assembly models, and work instructions

• Experience with turbine engines, gas turbines, or propulsion hardware strongly preferred

• A&P license a plus

• High ownership mindset, low ego, and pride in quality workmanship

You'll thrive here if you:

• Own problems the moment you see them — and drive them to resolution regardless of whose area they touch

• Lead by example at every level, and check your ego at the door — the best idea wins, full stop

• Can prioritize ruthlessly when the list is longer than the day

• Believe that discipline and rigor are what create the freedom to move fast — not obstacles to it

Joining a company this early is not for everyone — and the people who do their best work here tend to know exactly why they want it. What makes it exceptional: you won't be maintaining someone else's legacy. You'll help define the architecture from first principles, follow your work all the way to fielded hardware. You will operate with almost no layers between an idea and a decision. Real breadth, real ownership, real stakes. What's genuinely hard: ambiguity is the default, the intensity is real, and it carries startup risk. You'll often build the process before you can build the thing. Priorities shift as we learn. If that tradeoff sounds like exactly what you've been looking for, we want to hear from you.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most full-time offers.

We offer comprehensive benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Premium Healthcare Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents

• Complete Protection: Full company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage

• Flexible Time Off: Open PTO policy plus 13 paid company holidays

• Family Support: 8 weeks of paid parental leave and comprehensive leave options

• Wellness Resources: Access to mental health services, Employee Assistance Program, and financial coaching

• Pre-Tax Benefits: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and commuter benefits

• Professional Growth: Development opportunities including mentorship and skill development

• Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with company matching

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We foster a culture of ownership, initiative, inclusion, and mutual respect. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, veterans, and those with disabilities to apply. If you're passionate about revolutionizing aerospace propulsion, we'd love to hear from you.

Security & Export Control

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.