Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer Jobs in Suffolk, VA

KITCO Fiber Optics, Inc.

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings-which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway-you'll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We're committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone's empowered to be their best.

We are seeking a skilled Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, validate, and support the production of advanced fiber optic and telecommunication products for defense and aerospace applications. This role blends system-level mechanical engineering expertise with hands-on prototyping, production support, and customer-facing technical collaboration.
The ideal candidate will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Business Development, Sales, and Production to deliver innovative, ruggedized, and manufacturable solutions that meet stringent military and aerospace standards. This position is critical to enhancing our design capability, improving production efficiency, and advancing KITCO's role as a trusted provider of next-generation connectivity solutions for mission-critical defense platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and validate mechanical systems from concept through production.
• Create CAD models, engineering drawings, and PMI-compliant documentation (SolidWorks/AutoCAD).
• Apply GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and FEA to ensure manufacturability and compliance with MIL-STD and customer requirements.
• Conduct engineering calculations, simulations, and trade studies for material and design selection.
• Lead prototype builds, design validation, and transition to production; troubleshoot design and quality issues.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and training materials for manufacturing and assembly.
• Drive DFM/DFA and process improvements to reduce errors, increase efficiency, and improve throughput.
• Utilize 3D printing for rapid prototyping and tooling; perform CMM inspections for dimensional verification.
• Perform root cause analysis and incorporate test feedback into design refinements.
• Support setup and troubleshooting of RF and optical test equipment for validation and production readiness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on NPI and customer-driven projects.
• Evaluate and qualify suppliers for components, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Stay current on market trends and relevant technologies to guide product innovation.
• Review patent literature and emerging technologies to identify innovation opportunities and support intellectual property (IP) development.
• Support invention disclosure processes and contribute to internal technical white papers or presentations to advance product innovations.
• Maintain product lifecycle documentation, including revision control, compliance records, and innovation disclosures.
• Manage multiple projects and report progress to management.
• Mentor early-career engineers or technicians on technical best practices, prototyping methods, or design-for-manufacturing techniques.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 5-10 years of mechanical design and production support, preferably in defense, aerospace, or telecom hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and knowledge of mechanical drawing standards.
• Strong expertise in GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Experience with FEA/CAE tools (SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or equivalent).
• Hands-on experience with prototype builds, 3D printing, and CMM measurement.
• Familiarity with RF and optical test equipment, lab instrumentation, and data acquisition tools.
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for various stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to approach complex technical challenges methodically.
• Adaptability to shifting priorities and evolving project requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven collaboration skills to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality, compliant deliverables.
• Time management skills to handle multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (Costpoint preferred) and MS Office Suite).

Preferred Experience

• Military (Naval Shipboard) fiber optic and signal cable infrastructure experience.
• Experience with government programs and ruggedized defense systems.
• Exposure to standards bodies (e.g., MIL, IEC, TIA, VITA, SOSA) and compliance documentation.
• Familiarity with intellectual property (IP) processes, including invention disclosure and patent application support.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with standard safety precautions.
• May require handling light materials or equipment (10-50 lbs).

Additional Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required pursuant to federal government contracts.

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to careers@marmon.com, and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.