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Director Prototype Design Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

YO AI Labs

Design Expert - Remote

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$30 - $70/hr

Flexible / Self-Directed Job Overview We are seeking senior Product Design and AI-Assisted Development Experts to create evaluation tasks for AI systems working across rapid prototyping, product ...

blueStone

Experience Design Director

Chicago, IL

We are seeking an engaging, design-tested leader to become our Experience Design Director. You'll ... Ability to comfortably dive into designing visual screens and/or prototyping with various tools ...

blueStone

Experience Design Director

Chicago, IL

We are seeking an engaging, design-tested leader to become our Experience Design Director. You'll ... Ability to comfortably dive into designing visual screens and/or prototyping with various tools ...

Cccis

Vice President, Product Design

Chicago, IL · On-site

$159K - $196K/yr

Integrate AI into design workflows, prototyping, and experimentation; apply experience designing and shipping AI-enabled products; help define how AI accelerates experience development. * Product ...

WeatherTech

UI/UX Designer

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

UI/UX Designer WeatherTech Direct, LLC is seeking a well-qualified UI/UX Designer to create ... Present design concepts, user flows, and prototypes to stakeholders while clearly communicating ...

Pwc

User Experience Strategy Director

Chicago, IL

$155K - $410K/yr

... design user journeys, wireframes, and prototypes that optimize user engagement across various ... At PwC, we recognize that conviction records may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship ...

viaPhoton

Mechanical Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$78K - $106K/yr

Build prototypes to test functionality and fit, working with outside vendors to source and quote ... Bring a self-directed mindset and can pick up new concepts quickly * Can handle multiple inquiries ...

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All JobsPrototype Design JobsDirector Prototype Design JobsDirector Prototype Design Jobs in Chicago, IL

Director Prototype Design information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$38.1K

$139.9K

$250.3K

How much do director prototype design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director prototype design in Chicago, IL is $139,856.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,800.00 and $167,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director prototype design do?

A Director of Prototype Design oversees the creation and development of prototypes for new products or systems within an organization. They lead design teams, collaborate with engineers and product managers, and ensure prototypes meet both functional and aesthetic requirements. Their responsibilities include project management, resource allocation, and maintaining quality standards throughout the design process. By guiding the prototyping phase, they help transform concepts into tangible models that can be tested, refined, and eventually brought to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director prototype design?

To thrive as a Director of Prototype Design, you need extensive experience in product design, engineering principles, and project management, often backed by a degree in industrial design, engineering, or a related field. Mastery of CAD software, rapid prototyping tools, and familiarity with design validation processes are typically required. Exceptional leadership, creative problem-solving, and strong communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure innovative prototypes are developed efficiently and collaboratively, aligning with business goals and market needs.

What are some common challenges faced by a director prototype design when balancing innovation with practical constraints?

A Director of Prototype Design often navigates the challenge of fostering creativity and innovation while ensuring prototypes are feasible within budgetary, technical, and time constraints. Balancing the desire for cutting-edge solutions with the realities of manufacturability and client requirements requires strong communication and prioritization skills. Additionally, this role must align cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and production, to ensure prototypes meet both visionary goals and practical needs. Effective Directors excel at managing stakeholder expectations and iterating quickly based on feedback from both internal teams and clients.

What is the difference between Director Prototype Design vs Product Designer?

AspectDirector Prototype DesignProduct Designer
CredentialsTypically requires extensive experience in design and prototyping, often with leadership skillsRequires design education, portfolio, and proficiency in design tools
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, oversees prototype development, collaborates with cross-functional teamsFocuses on designing user interfaces, user experience, and prototypes
Industry UsageUsed in tech, manufacturing, and product development companies for leadership rolesCommon in tech, digital agencies, and startups for hands-on design work

While both roles involve prototyping, the Director Prototype Design typically leads teams and oversees the entire prototype process, whereas the Product Designer focuses on creating and refining user-centered designs and prototypes. The director role emphasizes leadership and strategic oversight, while the product designer is more hands-on with design execution.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Design jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Prototype Design jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Prototype Design jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Director Prototype Design jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Prototype Design jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Prototype Design jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Director Prototype Design jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Director Prototype Design job openings:

Director Prototype Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Prototype Design job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,856 per year, or $67.2 per hour.

Design Expert - Remote

YO AI Labs

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$30 - $70/hr

Contractor

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Design Expert

Job Type: Contractor
Location: Remote
Schedule: Flexible / Self-Directed

Job Overview

We are seeking senior Product Design and AI-Assisted Development Experts to create evaluation tasks for AI systems working across rapid prototyping, product design, and human-AI collaboration.

Experts may contribute to either or both tracks:

  • Vibecoding: AI-assisted software development, natural-language-to-code workflows, and rapid prototyping.
  • Design: Product design, UX/UI, design systems, component libraries, research, and usability.

No formal credential is required; demonstrated expertise and shipped work are highly valued.

Key Responsibilities
  • Create realistic scenarios covering rapid prototyping, iteration, design systems, and product-design-engineering collaboration.
  • Develop tasks involving AI coding tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, v0, and Replit.
  • Create Design-track tasks using Figma, Framer, prototyping tools, and design-system platforms.
  • Apply prompt-driven development, human-centered design, heuristic evaluation, and rapid prototyping methodologies.
  • Produce reference prototypes, code artifacts, design specifications, and usability evaluation reports.
  • Develop detailed rubrics that distinguish senior-level product judgment from generic or template-driven work.
  • Collaborate on task refinement and evaluation standards.
Required Skills
  • Product Design
  • UX/UI Design
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Design Systems
  • Vibecoding / AI-Assisted Development
  • Human-Centered Design
  • User Research & Usability Testing
  • Figma / Prototyping Tools
  • Design Critique
  • Product Judgment
  • AI-Assisted Coding
  • Evaluation & Rubric Development
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience as a product designer, design lead, or AI-native engineer/vibecoder.
  • Experience at a product- or design-focused company, startup, or notable independent product.
  • Direct ownership of shipped product designs, design systems, or AI-assisted development workflows.
  • Strong fluency with relevant design or AI development tools.
  • Portfolio of shipped work strongly preferred.
  • Experience creating rubrics, training materials, design critiques, or evaluation frameworks is a plus.
Contract & Payment
  • Independent contractor engagement.
  • Fully remote with a flexible schedule.
  • Project duration may vary based on business needs and performance.
  • Weekly payments via Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.
Screening Questions
  1. How many years of product design, UX/UI, or AI-assisted development experience do you have?
  2. Which track do you specialize in: Vibecoding, Design, or both?
  3. What products, design systems, or AI-assisted workflows have you shipped?
  4. Which tools do you use regularly (e.g., Figma, Framer, Cursor, Claude Code, v0, Replit)?
  5. Do you have a portfolio of shipped work?
  6. What experience do you have creating design critiques, rubrics, or evaluation frameworks?
  7. How soon can you start?