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Director Prototype Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

YO AI Labs

Design Expert - Remote

Los Angeles, CA · 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 ...

YO AI Labs

Design Expert - Remote

Boston, MA · 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 ...

IHG Hotels & Resorts

Design Manager

Atlanta, GA · On-site

... prototype designs and integrate them into the America's region for New Development hotels, as well as hotels undergoing a renovation. This role reports into Regional Director of Design Strategies ...

Brembo

Prototype Engineer

Homer, MI · On-site

$30.25 - $34/hr

Manage prototype build schedules, daily activities of direct reports, prototype programs to ensure ... Utilize innovative techniques for design and improving processes, participate in 5S, and kaizen ...

Runyon Design

Sr. Director, Product Design

New York, NY · On-site

$169K - $208K/yr

We lead with tangible assumptions in the form of prototypes and test them with real stakeholders to ... direct design contribution * Partner closely with cross-disciplinary teammates (research, strategy ...

Runyon Design

Sr. Director, Product Design

New York, NY · On-site

$203K - $265K/yr

We lead with tangible assumptions in the form of prototypes and test them with real stakeholders to ... direct design contribution * Partner closely with cross-disciplinary teammates (research, strategy ...

Observable Space

Prototype Machinist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

We're building a state of the art prototyping facility to machine some of the world's most ... Participate in design for manufacturability (DFM) reviews and provide direct feedback to engineers.

Observable Space

Prototype Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

We're building a state of the art prototyping facility to machine some of the world's most ... Participate in design for manufacturability (DFM) reviews and provide direct feedback to engineers.

SCCI

Embedded Design Engineer

King George, VA · On-site

... with direct hands-on experience with a weapon system application * Minimum of three (3) years of experience demonstrating the ability to concept, prototype, design, code, and engineer embedded ...

Kendra Scott

Manager, Design-3D CAD

Austin, TX · On-site

This full-time, exempt role reports to the Design Director. Responsibilities: 3D Designer * The primary function of the 3D Designer is to conceptualize, model and prototype design concepts into ...

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Director Prototype Design information

See salary details

$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do director prototype design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director prototype design in the United States is $135,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,500.00 and $163,000.00 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 cities are hiring for Director Prototype Design jobs?

Cities with the most Director Prototype Design job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Design jobs?

The most popular types of Prototype Design jobs are:

What states have the most Director Prototype Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Prototype Design jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Director Prototype Design jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Prototype Design jobs are:

Director Prototype Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Prototype Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,763 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Design Expert - Remote

YO AI Labs

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

$30 - $70/hr

Contractor

Posted 8 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?