KFORM

Question 1

“Tell me about yourself.”

Answer 1

I’m an electrical engineer with experience in PCB design, embedded systems, and hardware testing. I’ve worked at places like Northrop, Airbus, and the Army Research Lab, where I gained strong skills in CAD tools, hardware bring-up, and system-level testing. I’m now looking for a hands-on design role where I can own power systems, embedded boards, and fast prototyping.

Question 2

Have you done hardware bring-up

Answer 2

Yes — at Airbus and Northrop I performed board bring-up using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and network analyzers. I validated power rails, checked communication buses, debugged solder and layout issues, and verified that sensors, MCUs, and interfaces were functioning correctly.

Question 3

What experience do you have with Altium?”

Answer 3

I’ve used Altium for schematic capture, PCB layout, net management, and generating manufacturing files. At Airbus I used Altium for VPX backplane–compatible designs, and at Northrop I learned to produce clean, professional schematics in Cadence and quickly transferred that to Altium.

Question 4

Walk me through a board you designed.

Answer 4

HSA
1.Gather requirements & constraints

2. Create system block diagram & define interfaces
3. Perform schematic capture
4. Select components
5. Handle mechanical integration (AutoCAD + collaboration)
6. Complete PCB layout & placement
7. Conduct design reviews & DFM/DFT checks
8. Build prototypes & mechanical mockups
9. Develop embedded code & control logic
10. Write test plans & automated test scripts
11. Perform bring-up & debugging
12. Run environmental & reliability testing
13. Iterate design & finalize revisions
14. Document & hand off to manufacturing
15. Provide support & continuous improvement

Question 5

Experience with power delivery?

Question 6

Any sensor fusion or EW experience?

Answer 6

I don’t have direct EW experience, but I’ve worked with sensor integration, data buses, and embedded communication systems. I’m comfortable learning new domains quickly — at ARL I rapidly picked up new software tools and test systems, and I’m ready to apply that same mindset to EW hardware.

Question 7

How do you debug embedded systems?

Answer 7

I start by verifying power rails, clocks, and reset lines, then test interfaces like I2C/SPI/UART. I use oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to trace signals, check firmware configurations, and isolate hardware vs. software issues. I document findings and apply structured fixes.

Question 8

Describe your prototyping experience.

Answer 8

I’ve assembled prototypes, performed solder rework, validated sensors, wrote test scripts, and iterated on hardware/software integration. At ARL I frequently moved from CAD to prototype to test, often under tight timelines.

Question 9

“How do you handle fast-paced design cycles?

Answer 9

I prioritize clear requirements, rapid iteration, and tight documentation. I communicate early, test frequently, and use structured debugging to avoid wasting time. Fast-paced environments fit well with my proactive, go-getter mindset.

Question 10

What’s a weakness you’re working on?

Answer 10

I come from a primarily electrical background, so I’m building more mechanical experience. At ARL I used AutoCAD, and recently I’ve been expanding my CAD skills and collaborating closely with mechanical engineers. I’m quick to pick up new tools, and I’ve already begun learning SolidWorks fundamentals.

Question 11

Why do you want to work at Kform?

Answer 11

Kform builds mission-focused hardware with fast iteration, integrated systems, and hands-on engineering — exactly the environment I thrive in. I enjoy taking boards from design to prototype to test, and the mix of electrical, embedded, and ruggedized design fits my strengths and career goals.

Question 12

How do you handle rapid prototyping when requirements are still unclear?

Answer 12

I design flexible prototypes with accessible test points, adjustable bias networks, modular power paths, and jumper-selectable configurations. This allows the team to iterate quickly while gathering data to refine requirements. I also maintain clean documentation so design changes remain traceable and repeatable. XR systems evolve rapidly, and I’m comfortable working in that fast-iteration space.

Question 13

Describe a time you integrated hardware and software together

Answer 13

I’ve worked on systems where firmware interacted with analog hardware, including ADC data acquisition, sensor calibration routines, and control loops. My job was to validate that the hardware delivered clean, stable, correctly scaled signals and that firmware correctly interpreted them. I collaborated with software teams on protocol debugging (I²C/SPI/UART), timing issues, and sensor-init sequences

Question 14

How do you approach debugging an electrical system that isn’t performing as expected?

Answer 14

I start by isolating the system into functional blocks — power, analog front-end, digital interface, firmware behavior — and characterize each independently. I compare real measurements to simulation or design intentions to identify where deviation begins. On the bench, I use tools like multimeters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers to measure test points, verify signal integrity, and check for issues like unstable op-amps, ground bounce, bad routing, or incorrect biasing. I also evaluate component tolerances and thermal effects, which I learned to account for working with aerospace-grade EEE parts.