Manufacturing Technician

Valinor Enterprises; Cookeville (TN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Fertility benefits

Mental health support

Job summary

Valinor Dispatch is developing rugged, field-deployable UxS charging infrastructure for defense applications. We're seeking a Manufacturing Technician to join the build team, assembling, troubleshooting, and repairing sub-assemblies and finished charging nodes bound for the field.

This is hands‑on, hardware-in-your‑hands work on gear that ships to real operators. Build, measure, test, and ensure quality with engineers; follow safety protocols and maintain traceability in a demanding, on-site

Qualifications

• 0-2 years hands-on experience in electro‑mechanical assembly or related work.
• Able to read drawings or wiring diagrams and improve through practice.
• Experience with hand soldering, PCBA repair, or wiring harnesses preferred.
• Follows safety protocols and maintains quality under production pressure.
• Motivated to learn rugged, defense-grade build practices on the job.

Responsibilities

• Assemble contact-pin charging hardware, docking mechanisms, and sub-assemblies by hand with precision.
• Take dimensional and electrical measurements using precision tools.
• Run end-of-line testing and catch defects before shipping.
• Maintain airtight production traceability and notify gaps immediately.
• Adhere to safety protocols for self and teammates, and collaborate with engineers.

Skills

Electro-mechanical assembly

Reading schematics

Hand soldering

Electrical testing

Safety conscious

Team collaboration

Job description

Valinor is a new type of defense and government tech company focused on solving the problems others don't. Our unique model of centralized go-to-market and decentralized engineering allows us to move with unparalleled efficiency to identify unmet needs, build right-sized solutions, and get products where they matter most - in the hands of users. Unlike others in the space, who focus on the flashy problems, Valinor exists to solve the quiet, unaddressed problems-the small but significant ones that lead to cracks in the country's strength, stability, and security.

Backed by General Catalyst, Founders Fund, and Red Cell Partners, Valinor was founded in 2024 and has established strategic partnerships with Palantir, Anduril, and Helsing. We are building the dream team, and we want you on it.

About the Role

Valinor Dispatch is developing ruggedized, field-deployable UxS charging infrastructure for defense applications. We're seeking a Manufacturing Technician to join the build team, assembling, troubleshooting, and repairing sub-assemblies and finished charging nodes bound for the field. This is hands‑on, hardware-in-your‑hands work on gear that ships to real operators. No pass on quality, no do‑overs once it's out the door.

What You'll Do

• Build contact‑pin charging hardware, docking mechanisms, and structural sub‑assemblies by hand, fast, and right the first time

• Take dimensional and electrical measurements with precision tooling, sloppy measurements mean field failures

• Run end‑of‑line testing and catch defects before they ship, not after

• Keep production traceability airtight and call out documentation or inventory gaps the moment you see them

• Follow safety protocols without exception, for yourself and everyone around you

• Work shoulder to shoulder with engineers, learn the product fast, and push back when something doesn't make sense

What We're Looking For

• 0-2 years hands‑on experience (internships, coursework, trade school, or just building things on your own) in electro‑mechanical assembly, PCBA hand solder/repair, wiring/harness assembly, or testing electronic sub‑assemblies

• Can read a drawing or wiring diagram, or will grind until you can, and isn't afraid to say "this is wrong"

• Discomfort with corner‑cutting, especially on safety. We're not interested in "good enough"

• Willing to be onsite in the shop, extended hours when the mission needs it, this isn't a 9-to-5 desk job

• Hungry to learn rugged, defense‑grade build practices fast. Mentorship's there, but you have to show up ready to work for it

• Exposure to high‑voltage energy storage, power distribution, or embedded power electronics a plus, not required

• Familiarity with defense‑industry quality standards (IPC-A-610, AS9100) a plus, not required

What Valinor Offers

• Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401(k), among others.

• Unlimited PTO and two‑week company holiday at the end of every calendar year.

• We are a pro‑mental health and pro‑family company - we actually encourage employees to spend time with themselves and their families. Valinor also provides fertility benefits to those just beginning that journey.

• Fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us.

This role requires the candidate be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred, but not required.

Valinor is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Valinor team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense and government technology. 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, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real‑world impact, we'd love to hear from you!