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Prototype Build Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Prototype Build, Test, & Validation Lab Engineer IV * Prototype Build, Test, & Validation Lab Engineer IV POSITION SUMMARY As the Prototype Test and Validation Engineer, this role is responsible for ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$86K - $117K/yr

The Prototype Build Engineer must be able to direct issue resolution at all levels. Experience RequiredBachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering.Candidates must ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$86K - $117K/yr

The Prototype Build Engineer must be able to direct issue resolution at all levels. Experience Required Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering. Candidates must ...

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and production ... Lucid Motors is seeking a Lead Prototype Build Technician, you will help develop and commercialize ...

New

Senior Build Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$111K - $152K/yr

Own prototyping and first builds of new hardware designs * Work with Design Engineering teams to ... Take full ownership of manufacturing and build of new product designs * Prototype new components ...

$100K - $130K/yr

Today, we operate seven factories nationwide, including our advanced prototyping and testing ... Overview The Mechanical Build Engineering role is responsible for owning the build procedures used ...

Mechanical Build Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Today, we operate seven factories nationwide, including our advanced prototyping and testing ... The Mechanical Build Engineering role is responsible for owning the build procedures used to ...

The Mechanical Build Engineering role is responsible for owning the build procedures used to ... Prototype new components at our in-house R&D lab. You will be expected to be intimately involved ...

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 ...

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 ...

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Prototype Build Engineer information

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How much do prototype build engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for 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 a prototype build engineer?

Prototype Build Engineers are professionals who design, assemble, and test early versions of products, often before they go into mass production. They work closely with design, engineering, and manufacturing teams to turn conceptual ideas or design drawings into functional prototypes. Their role involves troubleshooting, modifying, and refining prototypes to ensure they meet design specifications and performance standards. Prototype Build Engineers play a crucial part in identifying and resolving potential issues early in the development process, which helps companies save time and resources during product launches.

How does a prototype build engineer collaborate with cross-functional teams during the development process?

Prototype Build Engineers work closely with design, engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure that prototypes meet both technical specifications and project timelines. They often serve as a communication bridge, interpreting design requirements and providing feedback on feasibility or potential improvements. Collaboration is essential, as Prototype Build Engineers must coordinate material sourcing, troubleshoot issues that arise during assembly, and relay insights from prototype testing to help refine the final product. This role is highly interactive and requires strong teamwork and problem-solving skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prototype build engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prototype Build Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering, hands-on fabrication skills, and experience with prototype assembly, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools (like 3D printers and CNC machines), and knowledge of product lifecycle management systems are commonly required. Attention to detail, effective problem-solving, and strong collaboration skills set outstanding prototype engineers apart. These competencies are critical for efficiently turning concepts into functional prototypes, ensuring product feasibility, and facilitating innovation within cross-functional teams.

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

AspectPrototype Build EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Primary FocusAssembling, testing, and refining prototypesDesigning and developing mechanical components and systems
Skills & CertificationsHands-on manufacturing, CAD, prototyping toolsCAD, mechanical engineering principles, certifications like PE
Work EnvironmentManufacturing labs, prototyping facilitiesDesign offices, R&D labs
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, consumer electronicsMechanical product development, industrial design

The Prototype Build Engineer primarily focuses on assembling and testing prototypes to validate designs, while the Mechanical Design Engineer concentrates on creating detailed mechanical designs. Both roles require CAD skills, but the Prototype Build Engineer emphasizes hands-on manufacturing and testing, often working closely with production teams. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus within engineering fields.

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Infographic showing various Prototype Build Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,868 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

Prototype Build, Test, & Validation Lab Engineer IV

On-site

Embraer
Aviation • 10K+ employees

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Embraer rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Prototype Build, Test, & Validation Lab Engineer IV
  • Prototype Build, Test, & Validation Lab Engineer IV

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Prototype Test and Validation Engineer, this role is responsible for coordinating the development and fabrication of prototypes and mockups, as well as planning and executing testing and validation activities in accordance with specifications, 3D models, drawings, and other engineering documentation. The role requires safety assessments of the laboratory installations and activities execution, safety briefings, job safety requirements compliance, process execution, communication with team members, interface with relevant work areas and supporting teams, establishing timelines, and resource coordination. Acts as the engineer accountable for coordinating prototype fabrication activities, providing technical guidance, instructions, and work direction to support safe and effective execution. Performs safety and skill assessments for daily activity planning and execution of the prototype activities and all the personnel within the laboratory. Supports Project Managers and other areas in quotations, Minimum Information Packages, schedules, technical specifications, and recommendations regarding the development and fabrication of prototypes or mockups and/or test and validation activities.

____________________________________________________________________________

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Serve as the primary safety representative accountable for Environmental, Health, and Safety topics within the labs, actively promoting a safety-first culture and ensuring a safe working environment for team personnel, visitors, and supporting functions.
  • Ensure the prototype lab team and visitors follow company job safety policies and all regulatory requirements, including OSHA, EPA, and state and federal regulations.
  • Coordinate proactive safety risk identification, mitigation planning, and follow-up actions for prototype fabrication, shop activities, test setups, tooling, equipment usage, and lab operations.
  • Ensure Job Safety Analysis, risk assessments, required permits, personal protective equipment, machine guarding and safety controls are properly defined, communicated, and verified before work execution.
  • Develop aircraft prototype and/or mockup interior engineering packages as well as test and validation activities based on market, product, and certification requirements in order to ensure adherence to quality as well as the overall program cost and schedule goals.
  • Responsible for build and test capabilities and capacity, in line with EETC road maps and strategies
  • Plan the prototype lab technicians’ daily activities, including risk assessment and control measurements per company for safe operation.
  • Provide long-term capacity planning forecasts for all drive unit labs, in collaboration with the program management team
  • Manage and organize prototype shop and the lab fabrication areas such as metal shop, wood shop, electrical and electronic shop, etc.
  • Oversee continuous improvement initiatives in all operational activities (build and test)
  • Plan and purchase tools, materials, and consumables necessary for prototype lab operation.
  • Perform prototype and proof-of-concept tests from the manufacture, preparation, setup, fixtures surrogates, and all addiction tool necessary.
  • Manage the instrumentation calibration plan according to company-established procedures.
  • Ensure project-related engineering data is in compliance with corporate policies and certification requirements
  • Applies technical principles, theories, and concepts to solve a wide range of challenging prototype, mockup, and proof of concept fabrication
  • Support the development projects technically during quotation, execution, and certification concerning mockups, prototypes, and proof of concepts in coordination with the project management office.
  • Develop and produce different levels of mockups representation from volumetric up to high fidelity mockups for sales and commercial purposes.
  • Support the aircraft production line with the fabrication of tooling, fixtures, and GSE.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education:

  • Must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field or equivalent work experience

Experience:

  • Prior experience in prototype and/or mockup development, fabrication, and test and validation activities is required
  • Generally minimum 5 years of experience in prototype and/or mockup, fabrication, and test and validation labs, ideally for aerospace.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of aircraft interior prototype, manufacturing, installation, test, and validation
  • Experience with trim and finish and/ or seating manufacture is a plus
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and coordinate work in a dynamic technical environment.
  • Ability to identify and quickly mitigate unforeseen problems creatively and effectively.
  • Strong coordination, accountability, and collaboration skills in a rapidly changing and dynamic environment - experimental mindset
  • Highly motivated and team-oriented
  • Systemic vision, Strong problem-solving ability, and self-starter
  • Comprehension, understanding, and execution of broad practices associated with the field assigned and related fields.
  • Applies these understandings in the completion of complex work assignments.
  • Role requires application of advanced skills attained via greater years of experience towards solving complex issues and problems.
  • Acts as Project Representative from the immediate group they are assigned to in the resolution of problems/issues encountered across multiple functions which require a coordinated response.
  • Impact within their job and their department based on their work responsibilities begins to regularly extend to certain other functional groups within the organization.
  • Errors could adversely impact internal and/or external customer business relationships and could result in moderate to significant work delays and/or costs to correct.
  • Significant leeway is established at this level to determine the best individual approach to achieve stated objectives.
  • Typically provides guidance on task completion to all Team Members and may also review and check their work assignments.
  • Proficient computer skills with use of Microsoft Office applications
  • Customer-focused with good relationship-building skills
  • Professional appearance and demeanor
  • Possess exceptional communication (both oral and written) and listening skills, with a strong orientation to detail, and the ability to make accurate, informed decisions.
  • Effective time management and organizational skills; ability to become involved in a number of projects in a fast-paced work environment.
  • Proven success in a fast-paced development and prototype environment and possess a willingness to take ownership, accept accountability, and thrive under pressure.

Working Conditions / Environment/ Special Requirements:

  • Ability to work in a safe professional manner adhering to all regulatory requirements including OSHA, EPA, State and Federal regulations.
  • Employees will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under FAA regulations
  • Availability for domestic and international travel
  • Ability to work flexible hours and different shifts if required
  • This is an on-site position

GENERAL COMMITMENT

  • Commitment to company values and compliance, with department norms, policies, directives, and procedures.
  • Incorporates Lean and P3E processes and concepts into daily activities.
  • Strives for continuous improvement of processes and procedures.
  • Honors and protects confidential and proprietary documents and information.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by the employee. Performs other duties.

Embraer is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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