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

Job Description

Job Description

Build mission‑critical hardware at startup speed

At 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 position

• Lead 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 responsibilities

• Architect 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 profile

• Systems 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 qualifications

• Bachelor’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 qualifications

• High‑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 value

• Depth 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 conditions

• Frequent 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 builds

We 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 proficiencies

• Electrical Schematics
• CAD Software
• Electrical / Electronic Systems
• Engineering Degree
• Electrical Engineering
• IoT Engineering

Machines & technologies: Altium, ECAD