Full-Time

Manufacturing Inspection Technician

Posted on 7/29/2025

Forterra

Forterra

501-1,000 employees

Autonomous driving system for retrofitted vehicles

Compensation Overview

$27 - $35/hr

+ Equity

Germantown, MD, USA

In Person

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Required Skills
NetSuite
Requirements
  • 1–3 years of hands-on inspection experience in an electrical manufacturing or electro-mechanical production environment
  • Experience with blueprint reading, electrical schematics, and IPC standards
  • Proficient with hand tools and electrical test equipment such as multimeters, and insulation resistance meters
  • Working familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems
  • Strong documentation and communication skills for clear reporting and issue escalation
Responsibilities
  • Conduct in-process, mid-process, and final inspections directly on the production floor for wiring harnesses, electrical boxes, and subsystem assemblies
  • Perform visual, mechanical, and electrical testing using tools such as multimeters, calipers, micrometers, and plug gages
  • Verify adherence to IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 2 standards for wire and cable assembly quality
  • Review and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions to validate assembly accuracy
  • Document inspection results and non-conformances (NCMRs) in real-time and assist production teams with root cause analysis
  • Collaborate closely with assembly technicians, quality engineers, and design teams to resolve issues quickly and ensure flow without compromising standards
  • Log QA data and maintain accurate records in ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite)
  • Support feedback loops that connect build teams and quality teams, helping refine inspection criteria and improve process effectiveness
  • Monitor labeling, marking, and dimensional tolerances across electrical subassemblies
  • Comply with ISO 9001 processes and support internal audits or supplier quality interactions as needed
Desired Qualifications
  • Industry background in defense, automotive, aerospace, or medical device manufacturing
  • Knowledge of NetSuite ERP and ISO 9001 quality systems
  • Demonstrated experience in first article, mid-process, and final inspections in a high-mix, low-volume environment
  • IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification (or ability to attain it)

Forterra provides autonomous vehicle technology for defense and industrial sectors. Its AutoDrive® installs as a retrofit kit that adds sensors, computing, and software to existing ground vehicles, enabling unmanned operation in challenging environments. It differentiates itself by upgrading current fleets rather than buying new vehicles and by serving both military and industrial markets. The goal is to deploy and scale AutoDrive® across applications to improve efficiency and safety, backed by its Series B funding.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$634M

Headquarters

Clarksburg, Maryland

Founded

2002

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • BAE Systems partnership develops AMPV prototype by 2026, expanding to Bradley A4.
  • $238M funding at $1B valuation accelerates MESA and AutoTT production in 2026.
  • Kalmar JDA integrates AutoDrive into terminal tractors for ports by late 2026.

What critics are saying

  • BAE develops in-house autonomy for Bradley A4, eroding Forterra's expansions in 12 months.
  • DoD cancels RCV and SMET under Replicator, stranding vehicles without contracts in 18 months.
  • goTenna integration fails GPS-denied tests, triggering investor exodus in 6 months.

What makes Forterra unique

  • AutoDrive retrofits drive-by-wire vehicles for off-road, GPS-denied autonomy across defense platforms.
  • TerraLink orchestrates multi-vehicle swarms via TAK and WMI military interfaces.
  • Selected for DoD's RCV, GEARS, ROGUE Fires, and SMET programs with 400,000 miles driven.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Vacation

Parental Leave

Professional Development Budget

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Holidays

Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-6%

1 year growth

-5%

2 year growth

-9%
Bloomberg Law
Nov 12th, 2025
Forterra Raises $238M, Hits $1B Valuation

Forterra, a startup specializing in autonomous military vehicle technology, has raised $238 million in a new funding round, boosting its valuation to over $1 billion. The funding, which includes $50 million in debt, was led by Moore Strategic Ventures. The investment will accelerate the production of Forterra's versatile military vehicles, capable of operating individually or in swarms for tasks like surveillance and transporting missiles and AI-supporting hardware.

Bloomberg L.P.
Nov 12th, 2025
Autonomous Military Vehicle Startup Notches Over $1 Billion Valuation in New Deal

Moore Strategic Ventures, Franklin Templeton and others have invested $238 million in Forterra.

CityBiz
Oct 9th, 2025
Forterra Acquires goTenna Networking Solutions

Forterra, a leader in autonomous mission systems, has announced its acquisition of goTenna, a pioneer in tactical mesh networking solutions.

intelligence360
Sep 29th, 2025
Forterra Raises $188M in New Funding

Robotic Research OpCo, operating as Forterra, has filed a notice with the U.S. SEC for an exempt offering to raise up to $188.3 million in new funding. This filing is required under federal securities law for companies selling securities without registration under specific exemptions. The notice must be filed within 15 days of the first sale. Forterra specializes in autonomous vehicle systems for defense and national security.

The Business Journals
Aug 22nd, 2025
Forterra raises $93M for autonomous vehicles

Clarksburg-based autonomous vehicle developer Forterra has raised $93 million in funding.

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