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Freelance Prototype Build Engineer Jobs in Texas

Shield AI

Lead Prototype Technician (R5476)

Dallas, TX · On-site

$43 - $64/hr

Build prototype, developmental, and first article aircraft from engineering concept through flight-ready hardware. * Perform precision drilling, reaming, countersinking, riveting, fastening ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Dallas, TX

$35.25 - $39.50/hr

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering ... Generate and document the "as-built" configuration by capturing the build bill of materials (BOM)

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Houston, TX

$34.25 - $38.25/hr

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering ... Generate and document the "as-built" configuration by capturing the build bill of materials (BOM)

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Austin, TX

$35.50 - $39.75/hr

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering ... Generate and document the "as-built" configuration by capturing the build bill of materials (BOM)

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

El Paso, TX

$32.25 - $36.25/hr

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering ... Generate and document the "as-built" configuration by capturing the build bill of materials (BOM)

Apple Inc.

GPU Silicon Prototype Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$140 - $210/hr

Description As a Silicon Prototype Engineer in Apple's GPU Design Verification and Validation ... By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you ...

FORETRAVEL INC

Design Engineer

Nacogdoches, TX

This role owns engineering drawings, 3D models, and bills of material for new and revised designs ... Project management and prototype build coordination experience * Critical Thinking * Professional ...

Humana

Lead Full Stack Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

You will lead solution discovery, build prototypes and production-grade applications, support ... Mentor engineers and promote, accountability, and strong delivery practices. * Review code ...

Humana

Lead Full Stack Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

You will lead solution discovery, build prototypes and production-grade applications, support ... Mentor engineers and promote, accountability, and strong delivery practices. * Review code ...

Hyliion

Engineer, Mechanical

Austin, TX

Job Purpose The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for end-to-end hardware ownership of components ... Execute prototype build, test, and validation cycles early and often to identify and resolve issues ...

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Freelance Prototype Build Engineer information

What is the difference between Freelance Prototype Build Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectFreelance Prototype Build EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
CredentialsRelevant technical skills, certifications in prototyping or manufacturingDegree in Mechanical Engineering, CAD certifications
Work EnvironmentFreelance, project-based, often on-site or remoteFull-time, in-house or design firm offices
Industry UsageProduct startups, hardware companies, prototyping firmsManufacturing, product design, engineering firms

The Freelance Prototype Build Engineer focuses on creating physical prototypes for various projects, often working independently on short-term contracts. In contrast, Mechanical Design Engineers primarily develop detailed mechanical designs and specifications for products within a company or design team. While both roles require technical skills and engineering knowledge, the freelance prototype builder emphasizes hands-on prototyping, whereas the mechanical designer emphasizes design development and CAD work.

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Lead Prototype Technician (R5476)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX

$43 - $64/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:

At Shield AI, Prototype Manufacturing is where engineering becomes reality. Our team builds the first aircraft, develops the manufacturing processes, solves complex technical challenges, and establishes the manufacturing foundation that enables scalable production. Every prototype directly influences the future of our products and the capabilities delivered to our customers.

We are seeking an experienced Lead Prototype Technician (Level 5) to join our Prototype & New Product Launch team. This is not a traditional aerospace technician role. You will build first-of-kind autonomous aircraft, develop manufacturing processes, solve challenging technical problems, influence product design through Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and help define how our products transition from prototype to production.

As a Lead Prototype Technician, you will serve as the technical cornerstone of Prototype Manufacturing by transforming engineering intent into flight-ready hardware while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing processes. You will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production to ensure our prototype builds are successful today and scalable for tomorrow.

What you'll do:
  • Build prototype, developmental, and first article aircraft from engineering concept through flight-ready hardware.
  • Perform precision drilling, reaming, countersinking, riveting, fastening, torqueing, safety wiring, structural assembly, and mechanical integration.
  • Execute advanced composite manufacturing including wet layup, bonding, trimming, machining, vacuum bagging, structural repairs, finishing, and final assembly.
  • Perform complex aircraft modifications and structural repairs.
  • Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
  • Partner with Design Engineering to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback.
  • Develop and improve manufacturing work instructions, build sequences, tooling concepts, fixtures, and standardized assembly methods.
  • Support engineering validation, qualification builds, and flight test campaigns.
  • Fabricate custom brackets, tooling, fixtures, and prototype hardware.
  • Mentor Prototype Technicians while establishing best practices and craftsmanship standards.
Key responsibilities:
  • Prototype Manufacturing Excellence
  • Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
  • Manufacturing Process Development
  • Cross Functional Leadership
  • Technical Leadership
What success looks like:
  • Deliver complex prototype hardware with exceptional quality.
  • Solve manufacturing challenges before they become production issues.
  • Influence engineering through practical manufacturing expertise.
  • Develop repeatable manufacturing processes.
  • Mentor technicians and elevate team capability.
Required qualifications:
  • 10+ years of aerospace manufacturing or prototype experience.
  • Extensive aircraft structural assembly experience.
  • Advanced composites experience including wet layup and structural repair.
  • Experience with engineering development builds.
  • Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T.
  • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Military aircraft, UAV, eVTOL, or rotorcraft experience.
  • Prototype-to-production transition experience.
  • AS9100 experience.
  • A&P License or equivalent.
  • Military aviation maintenance experience.
  • Leadership or mentoring experience.
Why join Shield AI:

Unlike traditional aerospace manufacturing, our Prototype Manufacturing team works directly alongside Engineering to create the next generation of autonomous aircraft. You'll influence design decisions, define manufacturing processes, mentor other technicians, and build technology that protects those who serve.

Shield AI offers competitive compensation, equity participation, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401(k), generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and the chance to work on some of the world's most advanced autonomous aircraft systems.

 
$43 - $64 an hour
#LI-JM1
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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