Engineering Associate

Sitreps; Purcellville (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) with company contribution

Unlimited PTO

Profit sharing

Job summary

Defense-technology company (name shared under NDA) in Purcellville, Virginia is seeking an Associate Engineer to build and test hardware for field deployment. You will assemble subsystems, troubleshoot issues, and learn how designs translate into working systems.

You will work hands-on with senior engineers, mentor-mentee setup, and contribute to development of work instructions and fixtures as products evolve. New grads welcome, with BS in EE/ME and hands-on lab experience.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on assembly coursework labs or internships count.
• Comfort reading schematics, drawings, or assembly documentation.
• Willingness to be mentored and accept feedback.

Responsibilities

• Assemble electrical and/or mechanical subsystems (harnesses, PCBAs, enclosures, fixtures) per instructions/drawings.
• Perform functional testing and troubleshoot assembly defects; escalate design issues as needed.
• Support development of work instructions, test procedures, and assembly fixtures as products evolve.
• Document build issues, deviations, and non-conformances accurately.
• Collaborate with senior engineers to understand root causes and grow independent judgment.
• Support small-batch builds across multiple product lines as production schedules require.

Skills

Hands-on assembly experience

Schematics reading

Attention to detail

Willingness to be mentored

Education

BS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

Company: Defense-technology company (name shared under NDA)
Location: Purcellville, Virginia
Type: Full-time
Compensation: $90,000 to $110,000 annually (includes excellent benefits, profit sharing, and potential equity)
Clearance: Ability to obtain Secret
Citizenship/Work Authorization: U.S. Person

Confidential search. The hiring company's identity is shared with candidates under NDA.

About the Client

A defense-technology company building mission-ready sensor and edge hardware, where every system that reaches the field starts on an assembly bench.

About the Role

As an Associate Engineer, you'll work hands-on building and testing the hardware that gets deployed for operations - learning how designs translate into working systems, troubleshooting build issues in real time, and developing the fundamentals that senior engineers build their careers on. This is a role for someone who wants to learn by building, not just by reading a datasheet.

Responsibilities

• Assemble electrical and/or mechanical subsystems (harnesses, PCBAs, enclosures, fixtures) according to work instructions and engineering drawings
• Perform functional testing and troubleshoot assembly-level defects, escalating design-related issues to senior engineers
• Support development and refinement of work instructions, test procedures, and assembly fixtures as products evolve
• Document build issues, deviations, and non-conformances accurately and consistently
• Work directly with senior engineers to understand root cause on recurring build issues, building toward independent judgment over time
• Support small-batch builds across multiple product lines as production schedules require

Requirements

Must-Haves

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (new grads welcome)
• Hands-on experience with electrical or mechanical assembly - coursework labs, internships, or personal projects count
• Comfort reading schematics, drawings, or assembly documentation
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to be corrected - this role is built around active mentorship, not solo work

Nice-to-Haves

• Internship or co-op experience in a hardware/manufacturing environment
• Experience with hand tools, soldering, crimping, or mechanical fixturing
• Exposure to defense, aerospace, or other regulated hardware industries
• Health coverage, fully covered - premiums paid 100% for you and your dependents
• 401(k) with company contribution - a 4% contribution on your behalf regardless of your own contribution level
• Unlimited PTO - average employee takes 3-4 weeks
• Annual profit sharing - when the company wins, you share in it directly

Process

• This is a confidential search. An NDA is required before the company's identity and full role details are shared. We screen for interest at a high level first, then read candidates in once an NDA is in place.

This position supports U.S. Government-related work. Applicants must be U.S. persons. The hiring company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.