Castelioncorporation Technical Training & Competency Program Manager to build and lead the team scaling technical training and competency framework in a defense tech startup. Own training delivery, assessment, and tracking.
Responsibilities
Build, Lead & Scale the Training Program
Own and evolve the technical training and competency program from an early-stage defense tech organization to a fully developed program for a defense production company.
Define skill-based training and competency expectations for engineering, manufacturing, and technical operations roles.
Implement practical, lightweight processes that balance rigor with startup speed.
Define and maintain a multi-quarter training and competency roadmap aligned with product development, manufacturing ramp plans, and regulatory milestones.
Set priorities and allocate training team capacity across programs, production ramps, and compliance needs.
Build and lead the Technical Training and Competency team, creating clarity in roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
Own hiring, onboarding, performance management, and development of team members.
Provide regular coaching and feedback, and create a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the training function.
Empower SMEs and team members to own technical details while staying hands-on to resolve minor issues and unblock execution when needed.
Training Systems and Infrastructure
Oversee iteration of training qualifications and competency structure as products and processes evolve.
Qualification
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering7+ years in technical trainingExperience in defenseFamiliarity with skill-based gradingDemonstrated commitment to leanLeadership QualitiesHigh Commitment
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Technical Education, or a related field.
7+ years in technical training, manufacturing engineering, or operations roles, including 3+ years leading training or competency programs or teams.
Proven experience building and leading technical training, qualification, or competency teams in manufacturing, engineering, or operations environments.
Strong technical aptitude across mechanical, electrical, and system-level domains.
Comfortable working in ambiguity while building practical systems that support a diverse range of stakeholders.
Experience developing training tracking systems, databases, or LMS tools (formal or improvised).
Strong communication skills with the ability to advise and influence without formal authority.
Preferred
Experience in defense, aerospace, energetics, or other highly regulated technical industries.
Background in startup or rapid-growth environments.
Familiarity with skill-based grading, technical ladders, or competency frameworks.
Experience designing hands-on technical assessments tied to real production or test work.
Demonstrated commitment to lean, high-impact training without compromising safety or quality.
Leadership Qualities
Bias to Action and Creative Problem Solving. Desire and experience questioning assumptions in ways that lead to breakthrough ideas that are ultimately implemented. Successfully bring in applicable processes, concepts, and materials from other industries to achieve efficiency gains. Comfort rolling up sleeves to resolve minor issues and unblock training execution, while empowering SMEs and team members to own technical details.
High Commitment, High Initiative. A successful candidate will have a genuine passion for Castelion’s mission and consistently look for ways to contribute to the company’s technical goals and prevent hardware blockers. Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere. Strong sense of accountability and integrity.