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Freelance Prototype Build Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Build Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Since the 1990s, our ability to build new aviation and military systems and maintain the ones we ... Own prototyping and first builds of new hardware designs * Work with Design Engineering teams to ...

AI BUILD ENGINEER MANAGER Versigent designs and delivers the systems that move power through modern ... Rapid Prototyping & "Architecture as Code" * Engineering Scalable Reference Implementations * AI ...

Build Engineer - Propulsion

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$91K - $187K/yr

Drive the transition from prototype to production for complex aerospace assemblies. * Ruthlessly ... Strong engineering first principles. * Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing ...

Drive the transition from prototype to production for complex aerospace assemblies. * Ruthlessly ... Strong engineering first principles. * Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing ...

Build Engineer - Propulsion

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$91K - $187K/yr

Drive the transition from prototype to production for complex aerospace assemblies. * Ruthlessly ... Strong engineering first principles. * Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing ...

For more information, please visit grail.com GRAIL is seeking a Build Engineer to join our DevOps / ... prototype solutions, and accelerate tooling work. These responsibilities summarize the role ...

... a Build Engineer, Turbomachinery to help bring high-speed rotating hardware from design into ... Responsible for assembly and integration of prototype and first‑article turbomachinery hardware ...

... Engineering Technology or an equivalent field preferred. * Three to five years of experience in a related technical discipline. * Working knowledge of model assembly, prototype build processes, and ...

For more information, please visit grail.com GRAIL is seeking a Build Engineer to join our DevOps / ... prototype solutions, and accelerate tooling work. These responsibilities summarize the role ...

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Freelance Prototype Build Engineer information

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How much do freelance prototype build engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance prototype build engineer in the United States is $36.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.38 and $38.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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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Infographic showing various Freelance Prototype Build Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,868 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

Senior Build Engineer

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Amca is building America's new industrial base. Since the 1990s, our ability to build new aviation and military systems and maintain the ones we already have has eroded. Today, the gap between what the nation needs to produce and what it is capable of producing is the largest it has been in generations.
To help close that gap, Amca rapidly develops and manufactures new critical components and subsystems required to build and sustain the planes, military vehicles, and core infrastructure America needs. Today, we operate seven factories nationwide, including our advanced prototyping and testing headquarters in El Segundo, and deliver avionics, hydraulic, and electrical components for platforms such as the F-35, F-16, F/A-18, 737MAX, 787, A320neo, A321, Mk-48, and M1 Abrams.
Overview:
You will take new product designs and bring them to life. You will concurrently design Amca products and manufacturing processes with the Design and Test Engineering teams. You'll provide engineering knowledge to quickly execute new product designs and manufacture them at our production facilities to expand Amca's product catalog.
Responsibilities:
  • Own prototyping and first builds of new hardware designs
  • Work with Design Engineering teams to understand end-use applications and challenge requirements as needed
  • Take full ownership of manufacturing and build of new product designs
  • Prototype new components with manufacturability, integration, and performance as core constraints
  • Work with Test Engineering teams to assist in creating any test tooling needed
  • Work closely with Design Engineers to ensure that new designs are manufacturable at production facilities, and that DFM feedback is implemented
  • Manage tooling configurations (drawing revisions, BOM structure, and part configuration) in accordance with aerospace standards and internal design and documentation controls
  • Provide continuous feedback to Amca engineering teams to ensure that are products and processes fully optimized for reliability and cost
  • Support build and manufacturing processes in our internal shops
  • Assist with equipment selection and equipment onboarding
  • Own manufacturing processes as the subject matter expert
  • Support Amca with factory diligence and company development
  • Evaluate product catalogs to help determine where the largest opportunities lie for catalog expansion
  • Assist in the evaluation of factory designs and manufacturing engineering
  • Work with cross functional engineering teams to expand manufacturing capabilities

Qualifications:
  • Exceptionally curious and fast learner.
  • Able to contribute across diverse part categories and manufacturing processes.
  • Demonstrated ability to use engineering first principles to challenge and simplify requirements.
  • Hands-on and practical - comfortable building, testing, and troubleshooting in real-world environments.
  • Independent and creative; thrives with ownership and minimal oversight.
  • Experience with mechanical design as well as manufacturing processes, applying first-principles thinking to structural, thermal, material and production constraints.
  • Proficient in CAD, PLM/PDM systems, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and Materials & Processing (M&P).

Annual Salary Range
$140,000-$180,000 USD
This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a US person as: any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; or. any individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence ("Green Card" holder); or. any individual who is granted status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3).
The Advanced Manufacturing Company of America prohibits discrimination or harassment based on the following categories: race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.