1

Prototype Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Senior R&D Engineer

Eden Prairie, MN ยท On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

D Engineer will conduct advanced research, prototyping, and systems-level engineering supporting the Systems amp; Innovation group's portfolio of next-generation platform initiatives. The Engineer ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Mankato, MN ยท On-site

$106K - $138K/yr

This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for product design, prototyping, testing, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver innovative consumer products. RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior R&D Engineer

Eden Prairie, MN ยท On-site

$120 - $160/hr

  • Medical

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary The Senior R&D Engineer will conduct advanced research, prototyping, and systems-level engineering supporting the Systems & Innovation group's portfolio of next-generation platform ...

Senior R&D Engineer

Eden Prairie, MN ยท On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior R&D Engineer will conduct advanced research, prototyping, and systems-level engineering supporting the Systems & Innovation group's portfolio of next-generation platform initiatives. The ...

Principal Electrical Engineer

Shoreview, MN ยท On-site

$140K - $171K/yr

The Principal Electrical Engineer will be responsible for helping the team architect, design, select and evaluate critical system components, prototype, test and release to production electronics for ...

... prototype, engineering validation, design verification, and agency certification phases of projects * Participates in the testing process through test review and analysis, test witnessing and ...

Mechanical Engineer

Chaska, MN ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mechanical Engineer Position Summary: Mechanical Engineer Entegris is seeking a motivated ... Manage phase-gate processes, design reviews, prototyping, documentation, regulatory certification ...

To be able to continually utilize all of the available tools to rapidly develop prototype ... This is a mid-level experienced Mechanical Engineering Position, requiring 2-4 years of relevant ...

AD&D System Automation Engineer Staff

Duluth, MN ยท On-site

$123K - $185K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Architect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic. * Assist in engineering, stakeholder alignment, concept validation, rapid experimentation and ...

To be able to continually utilize all of the available tools to rapidly develop prototype ... This is a mid-level experienced Mechanical Engineering Position, requiring 2-4 years of relevant ...

AD&D System Automation Engineer Staff

Duluth, MN ยท On-site

$123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Architect and prototype embedded control solutions involving sensing, actuation, and feedback logic. * Assist in engineering, stakeholder alignment, concept validation, rapid experimentation and ...

Showing results 41-60

Prototype Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$28

$35

$37

How much do prototype engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineer in Minnesota is $35.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.65 and $37.69 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 the most commonly searched types of Prototype Engineer jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Prototype Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineer jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Prototype Engineer jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Prototype Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Prototype Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,306 per year, or $35.7 per hour.

Senior R&D Engineer

Elucent Medical, Inc.

Eden Prairie, MN โ€ข On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Title:
Senior R amp;D Engineer
Department:
Systems amp; Innovation
Reports to:
Chief Systems amp; Innovation Officer
Work Location:
In Person - Eden Prairie, MN
Pay Range:
$125,000-$160,000
About Elucent Medical:
Elucent Medical is a medical device company focused on developing surgical navigation technologies, particularly for cancer surgery, to improve patient outcomes through precision and efficacy. The company's solutions are designed to transform traditional surgical instruments into "smart" tools, enhancing surgical precision and patient outcomes.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None. May provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and interns on assigned innovation projects.
Job Summary:
The Senior R amp;D Engineer will conduct advanced research, prototyping, and systems-level engineering supporting the Systems amp; Innovation groupโ€™s portfolio of next-generation platform initiatives. The Engineer will work directly with the Chief Systems amp; Innovation Officer to:
  • Translate early-stage technology and systems architecture concepts into working prototypes and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
  • Conduct hands-on engineering studies, testing, and data analysis to validate new sensing, signal processing, and platform concepts.
  • Communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Lead technical execution of early-stage concept and prototype development for next-generation system architectures and platform capabilities.
  • Design, develop, and characterize advanced sensing, signal processing, and electromagnetic localization subsystems supporting innovation initiatives.
  • Translate systems architecture concepts defined by the CSIO into working prototypes, test fixtures, and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
  • Conduct algorithm development, signal processing studies, and data analysis to validate new sensing and navigation concepts.
  • Perform hands-on hardware, firmware, and software development and integration across sensing, embedded systems, and digital signal processing domains.
  • Plan and execute feasibility studies, bench testing, and engineering validation for new technology concepts prior to handoff to engineering teams.
  • Support intellectual property development, including invention disclosures, prior-art review, and technical documentation for patent filings.
  • Develop technical documentation, design rationale, and engineering reports summarizing innovation outcomes for stakeholders.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, components, and tools for technical feasibility, scalability, and fit with Elucentโ€™s product roadmap.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Clinical, and Product teams to transition validated concepts into formal development programs.
  • Identify technical risks in early-stage concepts and propose mitigations; escalate critical issues to the CSIO as appropriate.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
  • Required: BS in electrical engineering, physics, biomedical engineering, or related technical field; MS preferred.
  • Required: 5-8+ yearsโ€™ hands-on R amp;D, advanced development, or product development experience
  • Experience in a regulated industry, medical device preferred, including design controls and structured product development processes
  • Demonstrated experience taking early-stage technical concepts from idea through proof-of-concept and prototype
  • Experience with signal processing, sensing systems, embedded systems, or electromagnetic systems strongly preferred
  • Experience working in or closely with an innovation, advanced development, or systems architecture function
Required Skills/Abilities:
  • Strong fundamentals across electrical engineering, signal processing, and/or embedded systems.
  • Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, early-stage problem spaces with limited specification.
  • Comfortable moving fluidly across hardware, firmware, and software domains as needed.
  • Strong analytical, mathematical, and data analysis skills, with proficiency in at least one language used for rapid prototyping (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++).
  • Strong technical writing and documentation skills, including for intellectual property disclosures.
  • Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy while maintaining close alignment with the CSIOโ€™s technical direction.
  • Familiarity with regulated design controls and engineering documentation practices.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Physical Requirements / Work Conditions:
  • Ability to sit or stand at a desk or workstation and work on a computer for extended periods
  • Occasional lifting of lightweight prototype equipment
  • In-person work required
Elucent Medical Benefits, Culture and Work Environment
At Elucent Medical, we prioritize our employees' well-being by providing comprehensive benefits including comprehensive health insurance, a generous retirement savings plan with company matching, flexible work arrangements, generous paid time off, and ongoing professional development opportunities, ensuring a fulfilling and balanced work life.
Fulltime Employees are provided:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching (4%)
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Vacation Days
  • Paid Sick Days
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability
  • Life Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs
Affirmative Action / EEO Statement
Elucent Medical provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.