Lead Assembly Technician

Mach Industries•San Luis Obispo, CA

About The Position

The Lead Assembly Technician builds, assembles, and tests turbine‑engine components and integrated propulsion systems while guiding a small team of technicians. The role requires precision mechanical skills, strong understanding of powerplant systems, and the ability to collaborate closely with engineering teams during prototype development and iterative testing. An FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification is highly valued, as it demonstrates mastery of aircraft‑grade assembly standards, documentation, and safety practices.

Requirements

3–5+ years of mechanical assembly experience in aerospace, automotive, defense, or industrial machinery.
Strong understanding of mechanical systems, rotating assemblies, tolerances, and precision measurement tools.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
Experience with torque tools, balancing equipment, and mechanical test setups.
Demonstrated ability to lead small teams and coordinate daily workflow.
Strong troubleshooting skills and comfort working with engineers on root‑cause analysis.

Nice To Haves

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification or equivalent powerplant‑focused training.
Experience assembling turbine engines, compressors, pumps, or other high‑speed rotating machinery.
Background in aerospace propulsion, UAV systems, or defense manufacturing.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems for work orders and inventory tracking.
Experience with Lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement methods.
Exposure to machining, CNC, welding, or composite fabrication.

Responsibilities

Assemble turbine engines, rotating assemblies, and propulsion modules using engineering drawings, work instructions, and FAA‑aligned quality standards.
Perform precision mechanical work including torquing, alignment, balancing, sealing, and inspection of high‑speed rotating components.
Conduct functional tests, measurements, and performance checks; support teardown and root‑cause analysis.
Apply A&P‑level knowledge of powerplant systems, tolerances, and safety protocols to ensure reliability and repeatability.
Lead daily workflow for assembly technicians; assign tasks, provide hands‑on guidance, and enforce quality standards.
Train new technicians in turbine assembly methods, safety procedures, and documentation requirements.
Maintain an organized, efficient, and safety‑compliant work environment.
Work directly with engineers to interpret drawings, refine build instructions, and provide feedback on manufacturability.
Support prototype builds, rapid iteration cycles, and engineering change implementation.
Document deviations, build issues, and improvement opportunities with clarity and traceability.
Follow safety protocols related to turbine engines, fuels, high‑speed rotating machinery, and test equipment.
Complete build logs, inspection sheets, torque records, and traceability documentation with A&P‑level accuracy.
Ensure compliance with internal quality standards and aerospace‑grade best practices.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability, throughput, and assembly consistency.