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Entry Level Prototype Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amphenol TCS

Mechanical Lab Technician

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$25 - $38/hr

Mechanical Lab Technician Location: Santa Clara, CA Amphenol High Speed Products Group is the ... Support engineers in prototyping and mechanical test setup as needed Required Skills ...

Len - Tex Corporation

Design Technician

Walpole, NH · On-site

$17/hr

This entry-level role exists to support the creation, prep, and production of standard and custom ... prototypes, turning design intent into production-ready files. Key responsibilities include ...

Acara Solutions

Production Technician

Bristol, PA

$19 - $22/hr

Level I is an entry-level role that supports product design, development, prototyping, and testing ... The Senior Technician performs advanced, high-precision assembly and complex troubleshooting of ...

SMR Acquisition LLC

Engineering Technician

Fenwick, WV · On-site

This entry-level, hands-on role is intended for candidates with a two-year engineering or technical ... Key Responsibilities: * Support design engineers with prototype fabrication, assembly, and ...

SpaceX

Assembly Technician - Entry Level

Redmond, WA · On-site

$29.50 - $37/hr

PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN (STARLINK) One of SpaceX's most ambitious missions to date, the Starlink ... Support the development of prototype test capabilities for spacecraft components and life tests ...

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Entry Level Prototype Technician information

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How much do entry level prototype technician jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level prototype technician in the United States is $26.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Prototype Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Prototype Technician, you typically need foundational mechanical or electrical knowledge, hands-on fabrication skills, and at least a high school diploma or technical certification. Familiarity with CAD software, hand tools, measurement instruments, and sometimes 3D printers or CNC machines is important. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential for accurately building, testing, and refining prototypes to meet design specifications and project goals.

What does an Entry Level Prototype Technician do?

An Entry Level Prototype Technician assists with building, testing, and evaluating prototypes of new products or components, often in industries like manufacturing, automotive, or electronics. Their responsibilities typically include assembling prototype models, following engineering drawings or instructions, documenting findings, and maintaining tools or workspaces. They work closely with engineers and designers to ensure prototypes meet design specifications and help identify potential improvements. This role is ideal for individuals with a strong attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and a willingness to learn technical skills on the job.

What is the difference between Entry Level Prototype Technician vs Entry Level Manufacturing Technician?

AspectEntry Level Prototype TechnicianEntry Level Manufacturing Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, prototype workshopsManufacturing floors, assembly lines
Industry UsageProduct development, R&DMass production, assembly
Job FocusBuilding and testing prototypesAssembling products, quality checks

Entry Level Prototype Technicians focus on creating and testing prototypes in design labs, while Entry Level Manufacturing Technicians work on assembling products on manufacturing floors. Both roles require similar certifications and are common in manufacturing and product development industries, but they differ in work environment and primary responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by Entry Level Prototype Technicians, and how can they be overcome?

Entry Level Prototype Technicians often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to changing project requirements, troubleshooting unfamiliar equipment, and working under tight deadlines. To succeed, it's important to cultivate strong problem-solving skills, ask questions when unsure, and stay organized to manage multiple tasks efficiently. Collaborating closely with engineers and more experienced technicians can also help you learn best practices and gain hands-on experience, which is invaluable in this dynamic role.
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Prototype Technician jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Prototype Technician job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Technician jobs? The most popular types of Prototype Technician jobs are:
Entry Level Prototype Technician jobs near you

Engineering Technician

Chariot Defense

San Bruno, CA

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

About Us

Chariot Defense is a defense technology company that designs and manufactures a family of power products for the U.S. military and its allies. We believe that credible deterrence of armed conflict and winning if deterrence fails, requires more than just the best drones, sensors, weapons, electronic warfare systems, and command & control capabilities. Those critical components will require sustained electric power in austere and resource-constrained environments. Moreover, military units must be able to turn off the trucks and generators that generate this power to hide and survive. In other words, power generation must be decoupled from power consumption. Chariot Defense's products enable exactly this capability, allowing U.S. and allied militaries to be more lethal and survivable. We hope you will join us on this mission.

About the Role
Chariot Defense is seeking a motivated and hands-on Engineering Technician to join our engineering team, reporting to the Systems Integration Lead. In this entry-level role, you will support the assembly, testing, and basic prototyping of electrical, mechanical, and power electronic systems, including integrated vehicle platforms. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering and design teams to help ensure our systems meet performance, endurance, and reliability requirements for deployment in demanding environments.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a junior technician to accelerate their technical skill set, with a fast-track for internal advancement as the team grows and the company scales. We strongly encourage you to research Chariot Defense and our anticipated growth and market positioning.
Key Responsibilities

  • Integrated Systems Support: Contribute to the integration of energy storage, materials, thermal solutions, power electronics, PCBs, and wiring, focusing on hands-on assembly and testing in compact, efficient designs.
  • Assembly and Support: Assist in assembling hardware from initial prototypes to production units, following guidance from engineers, and senior engineering technicians and help with troubleshooting during field deployment.
  • Rapid Prototyping Assistance: Help rapidly prototype builds and identify issues, support debugging and iteration, and contribute to developing field-deployable products on tight timelines, while learning to balance risks and priorities.
  • Manufacturing Support: Assist in preparing electrical, mechanical, thermal, and electro-mechanical components for volume manufacturing, including basic shop work and quality checks.
  • Customer Engagement Support: Occasionally assist with customer-facing hardware demonstrations and gather feedback to support team understanding of requirements.


What We're Looking For

  • Strong basic engineering intuition and a practical approach to building and testing products that work reliably for customers, balancing technical tasks with team needs.
  • Able to identify simple gaps in information or priorities and apply effort to help close them under supervision.
  • Comfortable working with incomplete information and making quick, practical decisions to support product development.
  • Eager to find root causes of issues through hands-on methods and help prevent future problems.
    Team-oriented, with a focus on helping peers succeed, building a positive team culture, and collaborating to solve problems and share knowledge.


Qualifications

  • Associate degree in Electronics, Electrical Technology, or related field; Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering is a plus.
  • A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a technical, assembly, or shop role in a professional or internship setting.
  • Basic 3D CAD skills (any platform, SOLIDWORKS preferred), with the ability to read and follow engineering drawings (e.g., basic GD&T and industry standards).
  • Hands-on proficiency with oscilloscopes, HV probes, test equipment, and related diagnostic tools.
  • Strong knowledge of analog and digital electronics, power systems, and control circuits.
  • Skilled in root-cause failure analysis and corrective action methods.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills and the comfort of working with basic computer software.
  • Safety-first mindset with demonstrated experience working under high-voltage protocols is a plus.
  • Ability to work with pace and quality while adhering to written work instructions, drawings, and documentation.
  • Willingness to work onsite in our San Bruno, CA, shop 5-days per week as well as work extended and weekend hours, when necessary.

Preferred:

  • Experience with basic manufacturing processes (e.g., sheet metal, CNC, lathe, 3D printing).
  • Exposure to low/high voltage systems, power distribution, or thermal management of batteries and electronics.
  • Experience in high-reliability environments, such as testing for durability or endurance.
  • Understanding of IPC 610 / 620
  • Experience with data management tools like JIRA or Confluence.
  • Hands on use of Digital multimeters, insulation testers, and microscopes
  • Hands on use of Digital multimeters, insulation testers, and microscopes
  • Skills in CNC machining, sheet metal, PCBA assembly and wire harness builds.


Role Requirements

  • This position is an onsite role based in Chariot Defense's San Bruno, CA, office.
  • Willingness to support travel, domestically and internationally, as well as work extended and weekend hours, when necessary.
  • Able to work on your feet for extended periods in a shop setting.
  • Able to lift and carry 50lbs.

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $24.40 - $65.40/hour. Compensation packages also include early-stage equity and access to company-sponsored benefit plans.

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors.

All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Chariot Defense are considered property of Chariot Defense and are not subject to payment of agency fees.