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Proto Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Michael Kors

Assistant Footwear Designer

New York, NY

$65K - $70K/yr

Support fit corrections, proto prepping/presentation boards, layer-up treatment specs, and graphic placement * Participate in costing, CAD reviews, sketch reviews, and market meetings; take notes and ...

Charm Sciences

GRADE 3 MACHINIST

Lawrence, MA · On-site

$27.50 - $41/hr

Proto-Trak Millers and Proto-Trak Lathe, Surface Grinder, to fabricate tools, fixtures and Charm Sciences Products. * Excellent work ethic, professional work attitude and a desire/ability to self ...

Charm Sciences Inc

GRADE 3 MACHINIST

Lawrence, MA

$27.50 - $41/hr

Proto-Trak Millers and Proto-Trak Lathe, Surface Grinder, to fabricate tools, fixtures and Charm Sciences Products. * Excellent work ethic, professional work attitude and a desire/ability to self ...

ALO

Senior Technical Designer

Commerce, CA · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

You will also fit full size runs and be responsible for correcting the fit in multiple ways from Proto 1 all the way to PP (Pre-Production Fit.) Extensive experience in the fit room is a must. After ...

Centric Brands

Senior Technical Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$7.8K/mo

Your role will involve overseeing and leading fit development from 1st proto to SMS stages, ensuring the garments meet both design and production standards. Seeking a collaborative team player ...

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Proto information

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How much do proto jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for proto in the United States is $41.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.97 and $49.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Proto vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectProtoMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically no formal degree, focus on prototyping skillsBachelor's or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, workshops, rapid prototyping facilitiesDesign offices, manufacturing plants, R&D departments
Industry UsageUsed in early product development, prototyping, and testingInvolved in full product design, analysis, and manufacturing processes

Proto roles focus on creating prototypes and testing concepts, often requiring hands-on skills and rapid iteration. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, including designing, analyzing, and overseeing manufacturing. While both work in product development, Proto is more specialized in prototyping, whereas Mechanical Engineers handle comprehensive engineering tasks.

What are Proto jobs?

Proto jobs typically refer to roles involved in prototyping, which is the process of creating early models or samples of products, systems, or concepts. People in proto jobs, such as prototype engineers or technicians, work to develop and test prototypes to evaluate designs, identify issues, and iterate improvements before mass production. These roles are common in industries like engineering, manufacturing, electronics, and product design. Proto professionals collaborate with design, engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure that products meet specifications and are functional and manufacturable. Strong problem-solving, technical, and communication skills are essential in these positions.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in prototype development roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals involved in prototype development, often called 'prototypers,' commonly face challenges such as tight deadlines, rapidly changing project requirements, and the need to iterate quickly based on feedback. To address these challenges, strong communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams—including designers, engineers, and product managers—are crucial. Embracing agile methodologies, maintaining clear documentation, and prioritizing tasks can also help ensure prototypes meet both design intent and functional requirements within project constraints.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Prototype Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prototype Engineer, you need strong mechanical or electrical engineering knowledge, hands-on fabrication skills, and a degree in a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printing technologies, and rapid prototyping tools is typically required, along with experience using lab equipment. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication help Prototype Engineers collaborate with design teams and address technical challenges. These skills ensure prototypes are developed efficiently, functional issues are identified early, and innovative solutions are delivered to support product development.
More about Proto jobs
What cities are hiring for Proto jobs? Cities with the most Proto job openings:
What states have the most Proto jobs? States with the most job openings for Proto jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Proto jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Proto jobs are:
Proto jobs near you
Infographic showing various Proto job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $86,362 per year, or $41.5 per hour.
Assistant Footwear Designer

Assistant Footwear Designer

Michael Kors

New York, NY

$65K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Michael Kors rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 102 rated fashion retailers

Job description

Michael Kors is always interested in hearing from talented, globally-minded individuals with a passion for fashion.

If you enjoy working in a creative, fast-paced environment, then we would love to hear from you!

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Who You Are:

We're looking for a motivated Women's Footwear Designer to support the Outlet/Cutup design team. This role will support the Design Director, Senior Designer, and Technical Designer through the full development cycle.

What You'll Do:

  • Research and analyze seasonal fashion trends, including materials from the latest runways and the competitive commercial market
  • Create shoe sketches based on concept direction, CADs, and technical specs for off-price channels (Outlet and Cutup)
  • Present design ideas and sketches to internal teams
  • Assist in material and color selection during detailing
  • Support fit corrections, proto prepping/presentation boards, layer-up treatment specs, and graphic placement
  • Participate in costing, CAD reviews, sketch reviews, and market meetings; take notes and communicate across cross-functional teams as needed
  • Communicate daily developments with factories
  • Assist in developing prototypes through to final, pre-production refined samples
  • Collaborate closely with product development, merchandising, and materials teams to ensure cost-effective and efficient design execution
  • Create and maintain legal decks and follow up as needed
  • Organize design archives, material library, and footwear proto samples
  • Provide administrative support for design meetings (e.g., tracking proto shipments, preparing presentation boards, etc.)

You'll Need to Have:

  • 2+ years' design experience within the women's footwear industry
  • Bachelor's degree in footwear design or related field preferred
  • Strong sketching skills; hand sketching preferred
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustration and CAD
  • Experience in creating footwear specifications
  • Basic knowledge of footwear construction and materials (especially synthetic and fabric types preferred)
  • Strong sense of color, fashion trends, and materials
  • Ability to prioritize tasks across multiple deadlines, meet work milestones, and follow through with strong time-management skills
  • Self-motivated, proactive, organized and team player
  • Working knowledge of PLM is preferred but not required
  • Graphic manipulation experience is preferred but not required

MK/Capri/Versace/Jimmy Choo Perks:

  • Generous Paid Time Off & Holiday Calendar
  • Summer Fridays
  • Internal Mobility Across Brands
  • Cross-Brand Discount
  • Exclusive Employee Sales
  • Fav 5 Cards (MK Discount for friends and family)
  • 401k Match
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Thrive Wellness Program
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Gym Discounts

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At Capri, we are all responsible for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We try to inspire change and growth within each other and believe success is a result that comes from our differences.Capri is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusivity regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally-recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law. M/D/F/V

At Capri Holdings Limited, our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility begins with the candidate experience. If you require a reasonable accommodation for the interview or application process, please contact our Diversity and Inclusion team at CapriDiversityandInclusion@CapriHoldings.com.

In compliance with certain Pay Transparency laws, employers are required to disclose a salary range. The salary for this position will vary based on role requirements, skill set and years of experience.

Compensation Range:

$65,000.00-$70,000.00

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About Michael Kors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready to wear. His namesake company, established in 1981, currently produces a range of products through his Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors labels, including accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, men's and women's ready to wear, and a full line of fragrance products. Operating at the luxury, lifestyle and outlet levels combined with a strong e-commerce business, Michael Kors stores are operated in some of the most prestigious cities in the world, including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, London, Milan, Paris, Munich, Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong. We currently employ 14,000 people around the world.

Industry

Apparel and accessories stores

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1981

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