ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Kform; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kform, a defense technology leader, is seeking an Electrical Engineer in Sterling, VA to design, develop, and test PCB layouts and electrical systems for sophisticated products. You will work across analog, digital, RF, and high-speed circuits, ensuring manufacturability and compliance with industry standards.

Responsibilities include schematics, PCB layout with Altium Designer, DFM and DFA, signal integrity analyses, and collaboration with mechanical, software, QA teams to deliver robust

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of PCB design experience, preferably in defense/aerospace.
• Proficient with Altium Designer and IPC standards for rigid PCBs.
• Experience with high-speed designs, controlled impedance and RF/microwave concepts.
• Ability to read schematics and specifications, and prototyping/testing.

Responsibilities

• Create schematics and PCB layouts for analog, digital, RF, and high-speed circuits using Altium Designer.
• Adhere to IPC standards and design for harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, shock/vibration, and EMI/RFI.
• Implement design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) best practices to ensure efficient production and assembly.
• Perform signal integrity simulations and analyses for high-speed interfaces to ensure reliable performance.
• Generate comprehensive manufacturing documentation, including fabrication and assembly drawings, BOMs, drill files, and other necessary documentation.
• Develop prototype PCBs for testing and validation of designs, ensuring they meet performance and reliability standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, software engineers, and quality assurance, to design complete product solutions.
• Perform board-level testing, simulation, and verification using tools like LabVIEW to ensure functionality and compliance with specifications.
• Assess designs for lifecycle considerations, component availability, and cost optimization to ensure long-term viability and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain and manage component libraries and design constraints within the PCB design software.

Skills

PCB design

High-speed design

Altium Designer

RF/microwave design

Schematic reading

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

LabVIEW

Job description

Electrical Engineer

About Kform

Kform is a leader in defense innovation, specializing in the development and manufacturing of dual-use technology. With a commitment to enhancing national defense, we offer commercialization services from tech scouting to engineering to secure manufacturing, driven by a team of experts dedicated to pioneering solutions for the modern warfighter

Job Summary

The Electrical Engineer at Kform will be responsible for the design, development, and testing of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) layouts and electrical systems for complex products, particularly in the defense sector. This role involves creating and modifying PCB designs, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that all designs meet industry standards and regulations. The Electrical Engineer plays a critical role in delivering innovative, high-quality electrical solutions that meet Kform's rigorous standards for performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities

• Create schematics and PCB layouts for analog, digital, RF, and high-speed circuits using Altium Designer.
• Adhere to IPC standards and design for harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, shock/vibration, and EMI/RFI.
• Implement design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) best practices to ensure efficient production and assembly.
• Perform signal integrity simulations and analyses for high-speed interfaces to ensure reliable performance.
• Generate comprehensive manufacturing documentation, including fabrication and assembly drawings, BOMs, drill files, and other necessary documentation.
• Develop prototype PCBs for testing and validation of designs, ensuring they meet performance and reliability standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, software engineers, and quality assurance, to design complete product solutions.
• Perform board-level testing, simulation, and verification using tools like LabVIEW to ensure functionality and compliance with specifications.
• Assess designs for lifecycle considerations, component availability, and cost optimization to ensure long-term viability and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain and manage component libraries and design constraints within the PCB design software.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in PCB design, preferably in military or aerospace applications.
• Extensive knowledge of IPC standards for rigid PCBs (IPC-2221, IPC-2222, IPC-2223, etc.).
• Proficiency with Altium Designer PCB design software.
• Experience with high-speed design techniques, including controlled impedance routing and DDR memory interfaces.
• Familiarity with RF/microwave PCB design, transmission lines, and stack-up design.
• Strong skills in component selection, library management, and design constraints.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, mechanical models, and specifications.
• Hands‑on experience with PCB prototyping and testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense or aerospace product development.
• Knowledge of test/measurement tools like LabVIEW.
• Skills in design analysis for lifecycle, supply chain, and cost factors.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment on full product development cycles.

Skills And Abilities

• Advanced skills in PCB design and electrical engineering, with a focus on high-performance, high-reliability applications.
• Proficiency in using design and simulation tools to ensure the functionality and manufacturability of PCB designs.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage complex design projects from concept to production.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated product solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Working Conditions

• Work in a dynamic development environment, with frequent interaction with prototyping tools and testing equipment.
• Standing, walking, and working in a lab environment with electronic equipment for extended periods.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required during testing and validation activities.

Other Requirements

• Commitment to upholding Kform's core values, including innovation, quality, and teamwork.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed to meet project deadlines and support product development efforts.
• May require occasional travel to support project needs and client interactions.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, the Electrical Engineer at Kform will contribute to the development of cutting-edge electrical solutions that meet the rigorous demands of the defense industry, supporting Kform’s mission to pioneer innovative technology for national defense applications.