On-Site Build Test Criteria
Civilization Engineering Track: On-Site Build Interview
Purpose
The on-site build interview replaces conventional hiring screens with direct observation of how a candidate operates inside an expertise-embedded production system.
We are not testing trade mastery. We are testing whether a person can function as a civilization-scale builder inside structured, open, collaborative systems.
Format
Candidates join a live build for 1–3 days and are embedded into an active crew with real production goals.
They receive:
- Canonical CAD and drawings
- Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Build instructions and acceptance criteria
- A facilitator, not a supervisor
Performance is observed in real time.
What We Are Looking For
1. System Comprehension
Can the candidate:
- Read drawings and extract intent
- Understand interfaces and tolerances
- Ask the right clarifying questions
- Navigate CAD → BOM → Build flow without hand-holding
This is more important than prior trade experience.
2. Execution Under Constraint
Can the candidate:
- Build accurately from documentation
- Follow acceptance criteria precisely
- Work within time, material, and safety constraints
- Correct errors without defensiveness
We value correctness over speed.
3. Learning Velocity
Can the candidate:
- Absorb new tools and methods quickly
- Improve visibly over hours or days
- Integrate feedback immediately
- Self-correct by referencing documentation
Rapid learning matters more than initial skill.
4. Documentation Discipline
Can the candidate:
- Take photos and log work
- Update build notes or mark documentation gaps
- Treat documentation as part of the build, not an afterthought
Civilization engineering requires executable documentation.
5. Collaborative Literacy
Can the candidate:
- Coordinate with others without ego
- Respect interfaces and shared standards
- Ask for help early
- Help others without derailing their own task
We are building systems, not heroes.
6. Tool and Safety Maturity
Can the candidate:
- Use tools responsibly
- Maintain situational awareness
- Protect people, equipment, and schedule
- Stop work when something is unclear or unsafe
Judgment is more important than bravado.
What We Explicitly Do NOT Optimize For
- Certifications or credentials
- Years of experience
- Trade purity
- Charisma or self-promotion
- Speed without correctness
Pass Criteria
A candidate passes the build interview if they demonstrate:
- Reliable execution inside structured systems
- High learning velocity
- Respect for standards and interfaces
- Clear potential to scale impact beyond individual labor
Outcome
Successful candidates are invited into the Civilization Engineering Track, where:
- Expertise lives in systems
- Individuals amplify, not bottleneck, production
- Civilization-scale build capacity is the objective