1

Prototype Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Prototype Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$42 - $47.25/hr

Rapidly design and fabricate mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes to support research experiments and engineering development. * Partner directly with researchers to understand experimental ...

Prototype Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a Prototype Engineer to join our Los Angeles-based state-of-the-art prototyping facility . We're building a state of the art prototyping facility to machine some of the ...

New

Sr. Prototype Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Role Overview: We're seeking a hands-on Sr. Prototype Engineer to support the development, testing, and validation of next-generation transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices. You'll work ...

Senior Prototype Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$167 - $231/hr

Prototype Engineer: Act as a rapid execution hub, adapting to new technologies and tools at high speed to maintain a fastโ€‘paced iteration cycle. * Cross-Functional Integration: Merge Industrial ...

Senior Prototype Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$167 - $231/hr

Prototype Engineer: Act as a rapid execution hub, adapting to new technologies and tools at high speed to maintain a fastโ€‘paced iteration cycle. * Cross-Functional Integration: Merge Industrial ...

New

The outcome you are hired to deliver is simple to state and hard to do: any Etched engineer can get a prototype part made with same-day or next-day turnaround. You own the entire outcome required to ...

The outcome you are hired to deliver is simple to state and hard to do: any Etched engineer can get a prototype part made with same-day or next-day turnaround. You own the entire outcome required to ...

Prototype Shop Manager

Torrance, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership ... What you will be doing As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day-to-day ...

Prototype Shop Manager

Torrance, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership ... What you will be doing As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day-to-day ...

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering environment to manage developmental engineering hardware in accordance with customer and internal ...

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering environment to manage developmental engineering hardware in accordance with customer and internal ...

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering environment to manage developmental engineering hardware in accordance with customer and internal ...

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering environment to manage developmental engineering hardware in accordance with customer and internal ...

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering environment to manage developmental engineering hardware in accordance with customer and internal ...

The Bike Shop department is seeking a Prototype Engineering Planner to work in an engineering environment to manage developmental engineering hardware in accordance with customer and internal ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Prototype Engineer information

See California salary details

$28

$35

$38

How much do prototype engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineer in California is $36.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.94 and $37.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges prototype engineers face when transitioning designs from concept to functional prototypes?

Prototype Engineers often encounter challenges such as interpreting incomplete or evolving design specifications, sourcing unconventional materials, and working within tight deadlines. Close collaboration with design, engineering, and manufacturing teams is essential to resolve technical issues quickly and ensure the prototype aligns with the intended functionality. Flexibility and creative problem-solving are key, as unexpected obstacles frequently arise during the rapid iteration and testing phases.

What is a prototype engineer?

A Prototype Engineer is a professional who designs, builds, and tests early versions of products or components to evaluate their functionality and performance before mass production. They collaborate with designers, engineers, and product managers to turn concepts into tangible prototypes, using a variety of fabrication techniques and materials. Their work helps identify potential design improvements, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that the final product meets technical and user requirements.

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 skills in mechanical or electrical engineering, rapid prototyping techniques, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printing technologies, and hands-on fabrication tools is typically required, along with knowledge of prototyping standards. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills to excel in cross-functional teams and adapt to evolving project requirements. These abilities enable successful design iteration, effective collaboration, and efficient transition from concept to functional prototype.

What does a prototype engineer do?

A prototype engineer is part of a product development team that designs prototypes for new kinds of industrial products. Many companies employ design engineers to perform numerous technical duties, such as drawing up schematics and blueprints, overseeing the production of prototypes, and testing those prototypes to decide whether they should enter mass production. The career requires significant educational qualifications and a variety of skills and experience. You should have an engineering degree in the field you wish to enter, strong analytical problem-solving, and the ability to work as part of a large team.

What are popular job titles related to Prototype Engineer jobs in California? For Prototype Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Prototype Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Prototype Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Prototype Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,874 per year, or $36 per hour.

Prototype Engineer

Physical Intelligence

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$42 - $47.25/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Physical Intelligence is bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world. We are a team of engineers, scientists, roboticists, and company builders developing foundation models and learning algorithms to power the robots of today and the physically-actuated devices of the future.
The team
This role is part of the hardware team and involves collaborating cross functionally across research, deployments and operations.
In this role you will:
  • Rapidly design and fabricate mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes to support research experiments and engineering development.
  • Partner directly with researchers to understand experimental requirements and translate them into buildable hardware systems.
  • Build end-to-end prototype systems: from concept sketches through CAD, fabrication, wiring, sensor integration, and validation.
  • Design and iterate on fixtures, jigs, test rigs, and custom tooling to enable research workflows.
  • Evaluate and select sensors, actuators, and off-the-shelf components for integration into prototype systems.
  • Develop quick-turn PCBs, wiring harnesses, and cable assemblies for prototype electronics.
  • Perform hands-on assembly, troubleshooting, and debugging of electromechanical and robotic systems.
  • Collaborate with electrical and robot software engineers to integrate hardware with control systems, firmware, and runtime software.
  • Identify and address failure modes specific to hardware operating in unstructured, real-world environments (contact forces, wear, thermal effects, cable management, etc.).
  • Document designs, test results, and build procedures to support knowledge transfer and design iteration.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.