Mixed‑Signal Hardware Development Engineer (Defense & Dual‑Use)

KFORM Defense; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

KFORM Defense in Sterling, VA, seeks a hardware engineer to lead multidisciplinary development across electrical, mechanical, embedded, and test domains. You will design circuits in Altium, develop prototypes, and plan production transfers to deliver reliable, manufacturable hardware for defense programs.

You will mentor juniors, collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams, and independently manage smaller projects from concept to delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in electrical, mechanical, mechatronics or related field.
• 3–5 years in hardware product design, development, prototyping, testing, or multidisciplinary engineering.
• Hands-on prototyping with fabrication tools, electronics, and test equipment.
• Experience with Altium or equivalent design environments and documentation of engineering rationale.
• Ability to work across electrical, mechanical, and firmware domains and communicate designs clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware development across electrical, mechanical, embedded, test, and manufacturing domains.
• Design circuits and layouts in ECAD (Altium preferred) and align interfaces with mechanical and firmware teams.
• Prototype rapidly using bench tools and iterate with hands‑on builds.
• Plan and execute tests for performance, durability, reliability, and manufacturability; analyze data and implement improvements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program teams to optimize for cost, schedule, and robustness.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Mechanical design

Embedded systems

Prototyping

Documentation

Altium

ECAD

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

Altium

ECAD

Job description

Build mission‑critical hardware at startup speedAt Kform, we partner with cutting‑edge defense and dual‑use companies to convert breakthrough tech into manufacturable, high‑reliability products. Our integrated model—design through production readiness—compresses timelines without compromising rigor.Impact of this positionLead multidisciplinary product development across mechanical, electrical, embedded, test, and manufacturing domains.Deliver designs that progress cleanly from ideation to prototype to production.Elevate product reliability, manufacturability, and safety through evidence‑driven engineering.Core responsibilitiesArchitect and implement hardware spanning electronic systems, mechanical assemblies, embedded control, fixtures, test equipment, and production components.Design circuits and layouts in ECAD (Altium preferred) and align interfaces with mechanical and firmware counterparts.Prototype rapidly using bench instrumentation and shop tools; iterate with hands‑on builds.Plan and execute testing for performance, durability, reliability, manufacturability, and safety; analyze data, identify root causes, and implement design improvements.Document intent, revisions, tradeoffs, test results, and lessons learned for smooth production transfer.Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program teams to optimize for assembly, inspection, cost, schedule, and robustness.Mentor junior engineers in rigorous methods, practical debugging, documentation, and ownership.Independently manage smaller engineering projects from ambiguous inputs to delivered outcomes.Contribute to continuous improvement of Kform’s engineering and manufacturing processes.Success profileSystems thinker with deep expertise in one core discipline (electrical or mechanical) and working fluency across adjacent areas.Comfort with ambiguity, sound tradeoffs, and turning partial information into progress.Hands‑on, data‑driven approach from design to bench to production floor.Minimum qualificationsBachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or closely related field.3–5 years in hardware product design, development, prototyping, testing, or multidisciplinary engineering.Demonstrated strength in a primary engineering discipline; practical knowledge across embedded software, electronics, mechanical design, manufacturing, quality, test, and systems integration.Advanced skill in Altium or an equivalent design environment.Hands‑on prototyping with fabrication tools, electronics, and test equipment.Strong documentation and communication of engineering rationale and results.Ability to operate independently while thriving on a collaborative, cross‑functional team.Preferred qualificationsHigh‑ownership roles in founding or early‑stage startups.Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, industrial automation, advanced manufacturing, or other regulated industries.Knowledge of AS9100, QMS, configuration control, production documentation, and release processes.DFM/DFA/inspection, reliability engineering, and cost optimization experience.Track record of moving hardware from prototype to production readiness.Project leadership from concept through prototype or release.Passion for manufacturing, U.S. industry, defense tech, and hard problems.Ability to communicate design decisions to engineers, operators, customers, suppliers, and executives.Capabilities we valueDepth in one area with end‑to‑end product development range.ECAD collaboration (Altium) and electrical design literacy.Embedded development/integration/debug.Prototype build and test; instrumentation and measurement.Design for manufacturability and production readiness.Configuration control and disciplined documentation.Analytical, detail‑oriented, and pragmatic decision‑making.High urgency paired with engineering rigor.Ownership and follow‑through to outcomes that matter.Working conditionsFrequent hands‑on work with prototypes, electronics, machinery, test and inspection equipment, and production hardware.Time on your feet assembling, testing, troubleshooting, and operating near active manufacturing and prototyping environments.Use of PPE as required by task and area.Occasional travel to customers, suppliers, test sites, or program activities.How Kform buildsWe operate with continuous improvement, aggressive value creation, and extreme ownership. Our mission is to build the capability and execution engine that gets advanced defense products into production faster—by sweating the details and respecting the mission.Tools and proficienciesElectrical SchematicsCAD SoftwareElectrical / Electronic SystemsEngineering DegreeElectrical EngineeringIoT EngineeringMachines & technologies: Altium, ECAD