A day building mission-ready hardware
You start your shift in Sterling, VA reviewing a new traveler and drawings for a ruggedized electromechanical system. You prep your bench, verify tooling and calibrated torque drivers, pull materials against the bill of materials, and begin a careful, step-by-step build. Cables are routed cleanly, connectors labeled precisely, fasteners torqued to spec, and thermal interface materials applied per process. Mid-morning you pause for an in-process inspection—dimensions, configuration, and workmanship all check out. In the afternoon you perform continuity and basic functional tests, document results, and flag a fit concern to engineering, helping the team close a loop before the next unit moves forward. That’s a typical day for an Electromechanical Assembly Specialist at Kform.
What you will do
- Build mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical assemblies to engineering drawings, work instructions, bills of material, and defined quality standards.
- Install inserts, brackets, panels, seals, connectors, wiring, cable assemblies, and electronic components with care and accuracy.
- Use hand and power tools, torque-controlled drivers, crimpers, calipers, and basic electrical test gear safely and correctly.
- Route and dress cables, terminate and label connectors, install hardware, assemble enclosures, and bring subsystems together into final systems.
- Apply adhesives, thread lockers, sealants, thermal interface compounds, and other controlled materials exactly as specified.
- Conduct in-process checks to verify workmanship, dimensions, hardware selection, configuration, and build completeness.
- Run continuity, functional, and operational tests per approved procedures and record outcomes.
- Capture labor time, materials used, serial numbers, and test and inspection data with high accuracy.
- Maintain product identification and configuration control, ensure traceability, and keep conforming and nonconforming material segregated.
- Spot drawing, material, fit, process, or workmanship issues early and communicate promptly to engineering, quality, or production leads.
- Support prototypes and new-product builds; provide practical feedback to improve methods, instructions, fixtures, and manufacturability.
- Assist with rework, repair, inspection, packaging, kitting, and preparing shipments as needed.
- Keep a clean, organized, safe work area and practice 5S discipline.
- Adhere to Kform policies for quality, safety, cybersecurity, export controls, and handling of controlled information.
- Safeguard customer data, technical content, materials, and hardware at all times.
- Pitch in on adjacent manufacturing and production tasks when business needs arise.
Minimum qualifications
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- 1+ year in mechanical or electronics assembly, manufacturing, maintenance, automotive repair, aviation, field service, or similar technical work.
- Ability to interpret assembly drawings, schematics/diagrams, BOMs, work instructions, and written procedures.
- Proficiency with common hand tools and measuring instruments.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with meticulous attention to detail.
- Skill in recognizing hardware, component, material, and basic workmanship defects.
- Consistency in following controlled processes and accurately documenting completed work.
- Basic computer literacy to access digital instructions and enter production data.
- Clear communication with technicians, engineers, quality, and production leadership.
- Ability to work independently after training while contributing effectively to a team.
- Reliable, on-site presence in Sterling, Virginia.
- Eligibility to work on projects involving export-controlled products, technical data, or customer programs, as applicable.
Preferred background
- 2+ years assembling defense, aerospace, industrial, telecommunications, computing, robotics, or ruggedized electronic equipment.
- Experience in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing or new-product introduction.
- Hands-on work with sheet-metal enclosures, machined parts, electronic systems, cable harnesses, control panels, or ruggedized assemblies.
- Crimping, soldering, wire prep, cable fabrication, and connector assembly skills.
- Comfort with torque tools, calipers, multimeters, continuity testers, and inspection tools.
- Familiarity with IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001, ESD controls, or similar workmanship standards.
- Experience in ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management environments.
- Completion of travelers, inspection records, nonconformance reports, or electronic manufacturing records.
- Technical school, military technical training, apprenticeship, manufacturing certification, or related vocational education.
How we measure success
- Output is precise, neat, and dependable.
- Builds comply fully with process and documentation—no shortcuts.
- Issues are raised early instead of passed downstream.
- New products and processes are learned quickly.
- Parts, tools, materials, and technical information remain under control.
- Collaboration with engineering and quality improves the build each iteration.
- Understands that workmanship, traceability, and schedule performance directly support the customer’s mission.
Work environment and physical demands
This is a manufacturing floor role. You may:
- Stand or sit at an assembly station for extended periods.
- Use hands and fingers frequently to handle small parts, tools, fasteners, and wiring.
- Bend, reach, kneel, and move among production areas.
- Lift and move items up to [40] pounds safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Wear required PPE.
- Work near machinery, fabrication processes, electronics, adhesives, and other production materials.
- Occasionally work overtime to meet customer or production schedules.
Compensation and benefits
We offer competitive pay aligned with experience and demonstrated capability.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and company holidays
- 401k Retirement plan
- Training and professional-development opportunities
- Opportunities to work across prototype development, production, and advanced defense manufacturing
Final compensation and benefit details will be provided during the hiring process.
About Kform
Kform is a next-generation defense manufacturer enabling teams to take advanced technology from concept and prototype to production. We integrate engineering, machining, fabrication, electronics assembly, system integration, test, and supply-chain services to deliver reliable, mission-ready systems.
We build real hardware for demanding environments. Our craft requires pride in workmanship, rigorous documentation, and a commitment to the people who rely on our products.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Kform is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, performance, and business needs. Kform does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.