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Prototype Engineer Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

POLYWOOD

Design Engineer

Syracuse, IN · On-site

DESIGN ENGINEER POLYWOOD ® On-site Syracuse, IN Department: Product Development / Design Reports ... From prototype feedback to manufacturing constraints, your ideas will help improve products before ...

POLYWOOD

Design Engineer

Syracuse, IN · On-site

DESIGN ENGINEER POLYWOOD ® | On-site | Syracuse, IN Department: Product Development / Design ... From prototype feedback to manufacturing constraints, your ideas will help improve products before ...

Poly-Wood LLC

Design Engineer

Syracuse, IN

Description DESIGN ENGINEER POLYWOOD | On-site | Syracuse, IN Department: Product Development ... From prototype feedback to manufacturing constraints, your ideas will help improve products before ...

Glassboard, LLC

Mechanical Engineer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

Prototyping of designs (3D print, CNC, Hand assembly, etc.) * Testing of prototypes and competitor devices * Engineering Analysis: material selection, tolerance analysis, process selection, DFM & DFA ...

Glassboard, LLC

Mechanical Engineer

Indianapolis, IN

Prototyping of designs (3D print, CNC, Hand assembly, etc.) * Testing of prototypes and competitor devices * Engineering Analysis: material selection, tolerance analysis, process selection, DFM & DFA ...

POLYWOOD

Product Engineer

Syracuse, IN · On-site

You will collaborate closely with design, production, and cross functional teams to turn concepts into expertly engineered prototypes and production-ready solutions. This role is hands-on, detail ...

Avero

Mechanical Design Engineer

Michigan City, IN

$73K - $100K/yr

Participate in prototype builds to verify fit, function, and manufacturability. * Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and suppliers to improve designs and reduce manufacturing ...

Avero

Mechanical Design Engineer

IN · On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

Participate in prototype builds to verify fit, function, and manufacturability. * Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and suppliers to improve designs and reduce manufacturing ...

Braunability

Engineer II

Winamac, IN

Utilize rapid prototyping to evaluate concept designs todeterminefeasibility. Coordinate with production andpurchasingto implement VA/VE projects Engineer, design and developnew vehicleconversionsin ...

BraunAbility

Engineer II

Winamac, IN · On-site

Utilize rapid prototyping to evaluate concept designs to determine feasibility. Coordinate with production and purchasing to implement VA/VE projects Engineer, design and develop new vehicle ...

MISO

AI Engineer

Carmel, IN · On-site

$152K - $177K/yr

Building AI that matters - prototyping and developing AI driven and intelligent agent solutions ... Skills needed for our AI Engineer include: * A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software ...

Actalent

Welding Engineer

Winamac, IN

$95K - $110K/yr

Support all prototype, design verification, and process verification builds by providing complete ... Apply engineering fundamentals and best practices to improve durability, safety, and performance of ...

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Prototype Engineer information

See Indiana salary details

$27

$34

$36

How much do prototype engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineer in Indiana is $34.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.69 and $36.59 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.

More about Prototype Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Engineer jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Prototype Engineer jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Prototype Engineer jobs in Indiana? For Prototype Engineer jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineer jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineer jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Prototype Engineer jobs in IN? For Prototype Engineer jobs in IN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Prototype Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype Engineer job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,193 per year, or $34.7 per hour.
Design Engineer

Design Engineer

POLYWOOD

Syracuse, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Polywood rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 46 rated furniture manufacturers

Job description

DESIGN ENGINEER
POLYWOOD® On-site Syracuse, IN
Department: Product Development / Design
Reports To: Director of Product Design
Turn concepts into products people love.
At POLYWOOD, we believe great products start with great people. The kind of people who can take an idea, think through the details, solve the practical challenges, and help bring something beautiful and durable to life.
If that sounds like you, you might be the next Design Engineer to join our Product Development and Design team in Syracuse, Indiana.
About Us
POLYWOOD makes sustainable outdoor furniture that is built to last for generations. Our products are designed with purpose, manufactured with care, and made using recycled plastics, including our genuine POLYWOOD lumber.
Our Product Development and Design teams play an important role in shaping what comes next. They help turn new ideas into products that are beautiful, durable, manufacturable, and ready for real life outside.
Joining POLYWOOD means joining a company driven by sustainability, thoughtful design, innovation, and growth. It also means being part of a team that values collaboration, problem solving, and building something meaningful together.
The Work You'll Love Doing
Every POLYWOOD product begins as an idea. In this role, you will help turn those ideas into manufacturable, sample-ready outdoor furniture designs. You will work at the intersection of industrial design, engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing, developing 3D CAD models, technical drawings, assemblies, prototypes, and design-for-manufacturing solutions that support our product development pipeline. This is a hands-on, highly collaborative role where your work will help move new products from concept through costing, sampling, testing, documentation, and production handoff.
What Makes This Role Special
  • Your work becomes real. The models, drawings, and design solutions you create help shape products customers will enjoy for years.
  • You will collaborate across the business. This role partners closely with design, product development, manufacturing, CNC, fabrication, engineering, operations, quality, and costing teams.
  • You will solve meaningful problems. From prototype feedback to manufacturing constraints, your ideas will help improve products before they move into production.
  • You will help protect design intent. Your work helps ensure new products are not only beautiful, but also manufacturable, durable, efficient, and aligned with POLYWOOD standards.
  • You will be part of what is next. POLYWOOD continues to grow, innovate, and expand what is possible in outdoor furniture

Where You Will Make an Impact
  • Translating sketches, renderings, design direction, and early concepts into engineered models
  • Developing 3D CAD models, technical drawings, assemblies, and production-intent design details
  • Creating and refining models for sampling, prototyping, costing, testing, and cross-functional review
  • Evaluating concepts for manufacturability, assembly, structural performance, material efficiency, and long-term production viability
  • Partnering with manufacturing, engineering, CNC, fabrication, costing, and product development teams to resolve design challenges
  • Supporting prototype development with accurate model files, drawings, cut files, assemblies, and documentation
  • Reviewing prototype builds, identifying fit and function issues, recommending corrections, and documenting design revisions
  • Participating in product reviews before handoff to help ensure design intent, construction details, manufacturing requirements, and documentation are aligned

What You Bring
  • You are someone who enjoys the details, but you also understand the bigger picture. You can move between creative concepts and practical manufacturing requirements, and you know how to collaborate with the teams who bring products to life.
  • You likely have experience with CAD modeling, technical drawings, product development, prototyping, and design-for-manufacturing. You are comfortable working through design challenges, asking good questions, and helping improve products before they reach production.
  • Experience with SolidWorks, Mastercam, or similar CAD/CAM tools would be especially valuable. Experience supporting CNC, routing, tube laser, fabrication, assembly, or production documentation would also help you stand out.
  • Familiarity with Jira or other project/workflow management systems is a plus.

If you bring even a few of these, you will step into this role with the ability to make an immediate impact.
POLYWOOD is an equal opportunity employer. POLYWOOD evaluates qualified applicants without regard to characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.
design engineer, product design engineer, mechanical design engineer, product development engineer, CAD engineer, CAD designer, CAD/CAM engineer, SolidWorks engineer, Mastercam, 3D CAD modeling, technical drawings, engineering drawings, product development, outdoor furniture design, furniture engineering, design for manufacturing, DFM, manufacturability, prototype development, sample development, production handoff, product testing, design revisions, CNC routing, CNC manufacturing, tube laser, fabrication, assembly documentation, production documentation, material efficiency, structural performance, cross functional collaboration, manufacturing engineering, product lifecycle, consumer products, durable goods, plastics manufacturing, recycled plastics, HDPE, POLYWOOD, Syracuse Indiana jobs, engineering jobs in Syracuse Indiana, on site engineering role
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