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Prototype Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

AwardSpring

Product Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

If you've used AI prototyping tools to ship real interfaces, or you've been frustrated that your ... Every IC on this team - engineer, PM, designer, builder - ships features end-to-end in our codebase ...

AwardSpring

Product Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

If you've used AI prototyping tools to ship real interfaces, or you've been frustrated that your ... Every IC on this team - engineer, PM, designer, builder - ships features end-to-end in our codebase ...

AwardSpring

Product Designer

Chicago, IL

$100K - $130K/yr

If you've used AI prototyping tools to ship real interfaces, or you've been frustrated that your ... Every IC on this team - engineer, PM, designer, builder - ships features end-to-end in our codebase ...

Jobsbridge

UX Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Be it core Java, full-stack Java, Web/UI designers, Big Data or Cloud or Mobility developers ... sketch, prototype, and collaborate in order to build the best possible product Deliver user ...

Zen Educate

Senior E2E Product Designer

Chicago, IL

Moving faster from idea prototype live product * Owning more of the "how it works," not just "how it looks" * Reducing handoffs and increasing accountability * Treating design as a core product ...

Zen Educate

Senior E2E Product Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Our designers don't just define problems and create interfaces - they increasingly shape solutions ... Moving faster from idea - prototype - live product * Owning more of the "how it works," not just ...

Sidley

Senior User Experience Designer

Chicago, IL

$94K - $130K/yr

The Senior User Experience (UX) Designer will help define the next generation of AI-powered legal ... Use AI-powered design and prototyping tools (e.g., Claude Code, Claude, and other code- and AI ...

Magicforce

UX Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

We are specifically looking for strong UX Designers with hands-on experience in wireframing, user flows, and prototyping. Please prioritize profiles with expertise in tools such as Figma, Sketch, and ...

New

International Paper Company

Structural Designer

Aurora, IL · On-site

$57K - $76K/yr

Create prototypes, samples, engineering drawings, and specifications for customer review and approval. * Assist in optimizing designs for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, transportation, and ...

International Paper

Structural Designer

Aurora, IL

$57K - $76K/yr

Create prototypes, samples, engineering drawings, and specifications for customer review and approval. * Assist in optimizing designs for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, transportation, and ...

suncast

Designer- Industrial_28C1

Batavia, IL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Suncast Corporation is the leading US-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality ... Work with in-house model maker to create prototype parts and models via CNC-machining and 3D ...

Suncast

Designer- Industrial_28C1

Batavia, IL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Suncast Corporation is the leading US-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality ... Work with in-house model maker to create prototype parts and models via CNC-machining and 3D ...

suncast

Designer- Industrial_28C1

Batavia, IL

$75K - $85K/yr

Suncast Corporation is the leading US-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality ... Work with in-house model maker to create prototype parts and models via CNC-machining and 3D ...

smartdept. inc.

Digital Product Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

smartdept. is searching for a Digital Product Designer for a travel and hospitality industry client ... Experience with interactive prototyping tools (e.g., Make, Figma advanced prototyping, or Figma-to ...

Zynga

Principal Experience Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Create user flows, interface wireframes, prototypes, and design documentation. * Bring solutions ... Experienced in designing for games vs. task completion, specifically supporting fun and engagement.

IBM

Associate Designer 2027

Chicago, IL · On-site

In your role, you may be responsible for: * UX and UI work such as creating wireframes, visualinterfacesand prototypes; annotating the wireframes; collaborating with other designers, researchers ...

PwC South Africa

Senior Experience Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$77 - $202/hr

Collaborating with clients to develop user journeys, wireframes, and prototypes that optimize ... Developing visual designs and interactive elements that align with brand recognition and customer ...

New

Pwc

Senior Experience Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$77K - $202K/yr

Within our Commercial & Service Excellence practice, you will focus on enhancing user interactions across various touchpoints, developing user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, and visual designs. As ...

New

UNAVAILABLE

Senior UI Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$68 - $126/hr

The Sr. UI Designer will be the design-focused voice at the intersection of design and ... Build future-facing prototypes that explore emerging interaction patterns, next-generation UI ...

New

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All JobsPrototype Designer JobsPrototype Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Prototype Designer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$27

$41

$71

How much do prototype designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype designer in Chicago, IL is $41.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.48 and $54.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a prototype designer do?

A Prototype Designer creates early models or drafts of products to test functionality, aesthetics, and feasibility before mass production. They work with engineers, designers, and stakeholders to refine concepts using sketches, 3D modeling, or physical prototypes. Their role requires knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and design principles to bring ideas to life efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prototype designer?

To thrive as a Prototype Designer, you need a solid background in industrial design, engineering principles, and rapid prototyping techniques, often supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and sometimes certifications in design or product development are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective teamwork and communication skills set outstanding candidates apart. These abilities are crucial for quickly iterating on functional models that address design challenges and support cross-functional product development.

What kind of projects and teams do prototype designers typically work with?

Prototype Designers often collaborate with product managers, engineers, and designers to transform ideas into workable prototypes for testing and feedback. Projects can range from early-stage conceptual designs to refined models that closely mimic the final product, requiring adaptability and creative problem-solving. You’ll typically work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, encouraging open communication and quick iteration. The work environment is usually dynamic, with shifting priorities based on project needs and development cycles. This role provides a great opportunity to influence final product designs and work closely with a diverse group of professionals.

What is a prototype designer?

A prototype designer creates preliminary models of products, interfaces, or systems to test and refine ideas before full development. They often use design tools like Sketch or Figma and collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to ensure functionality and usability. This role requires strong visual and technical skills to translate concepts into tangible prototypes.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Designer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Prototype Designer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Prototype Designer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Prototype Designer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prototype Designer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Prototype Designer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Prototype Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype Designer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,200 per year, or $41.9 per hour.

Product Designer

AwardSpring

Chicago, IL • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Who we are
AwardSpring is an established and growing SaaS company that partners with colleges and foundations to help them award scholarships and manage their donors. We complete the virtuous cycle of giving, getting, and giving again - between donors, students, and the institutions in the middle. We serve hundreds of institutions across the US and Canada with a small, focused team operating on a mature, multi-tenant platform.
About this role
AI-native development changed engineering first, but it's changing design just as fast. The line between a Figma file and a shipped feature is collapsing - and we want designers who are already shipping on the production side of that line. If you've used AI prototyping tools to ship real interfaces, or you've been frustrated that your work too often dies in handoff, this role is what you've been waiting for.
This is an individual contributor role on a small product team. You'll work directly with engineering and product on the same surface, ship into production, and report to the CTO.
How we work
AwardSpring is an AI-native product team. Nearly 100% of the code in our product is AI-generated. Every IC on this team - engineer, PM, designer, builder - ships features end-to-end in our codebase using agentic tooling. The line between traditional disciplines is intentionally blurred: PMs ship code, engineers make product calls, designers prototype in production. We hire for fluency in agentic development, not for time spent in any specific stack. If you've used Claude Code, Cursor, or comparable tools to ship real software at production quality, you already speak our language.
What you'll do
  • Ship UX, UI, and interaction work end-to-end across our products. Three months in, we should be able to point to things that exist because you built them
  • Prototype in code (via agentic tooling), not just in Figma - designs that ship are designs that work in the real codebase
  • Own the visual and interaction system for the surfaces you touch
  • Push back when product framings are weak; propose tighter alternatives
  • Stay close to users; let what you observe shape what you ship
Who you are
  • You've used Claude Code, Cursor, AI prototyping tools, or comparable agentic tools to ship real product work - not just mocks. We'll walk through what you built
  • 3+ years shipping product design work that made it to production
  • A portfolio that shows interaction, system, and craft thinking - not just visuals
  • Strong opinions about what "good" looks like - design decisions and product decisions both
  • Stack-agnostic; comfortable in unfamiliar codebases
  • Comfortable presenting work to customers, executives, and peers
What we give you
  • Top-of-market AI tooling: Claude Max, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and whatever ships next - your call, our budget
  • Unlimited token budgets. We don't ration the thing that makes you 10x
  • Direct line to the latest models the day they release
  • A mature, multi-tenant production codebase - real users, real stakes, real environments to ship in to
  • Health, dental, vision, 401(k) match, unlimited PTO, paid parental leave
Our Values
  • ACTION - When in doubt, spring into action. Be accountable. Teach what you've learned.
  • DETERMINATION - Simplify and improve everything you touch. Expect obstacles. Be creative and relentless in your effort to overcome them.
  • HUMANITY - Show empathy and kindness to everyone you interact with.
  • IMPROVEMENT - Work hard every day to grow your knowledge and capabilities. Strive to become invaluable to clients and peers.
A note on workspace
We are Chicago-based with an office in West Loop / Fulton Market. This is a hybrid role for Chicago-area candidates; in-office presence is part of the job, with the specific schedule set with your manager.
AI in our hiring
We use AI tools to assist in screening applications and assessing fit. Final hiring decisions are made by humans. If you'd prefer your application be reviewed without AI assistance, note it in your cover letter - it won't disadvantage you.
Equal Opportunity Employer
AwardSpring is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. AwardSpring is an equal opportunity employer and hires without regard for race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We are committed to an environment free from harassment or discrimination.

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