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Prototype Engineer Jobs in North Carolina (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Prototyping Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

... Deliver prototype design to Technology Teams for further development and testing or to ... Required Education: • BS in Engineering or Project Management or 10+ years of equivalent ...

Sr. Prototyping Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

Project and Design engineer focused on designing, building, or coordinating prototypes for optical ... Deliver prototype design to Technology Teams for further development and testing or to ...

Sr. Prototyping Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

... Deliver prototype design to Technology Teams for further development and testing or to ... Required Education: • BS in Engineering or Project Management or 10+ years of equivalent ...

Software Engineers

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

You work on production systems used in real environments, not research lab prototypes. * Engineers own software end-to-end: architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, and reliability. * You ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

Lead prototyping of compact, wearable systems that involve electronic components, rigid-flex PCBs ... S in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field Eight or more years industry ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

Lead prototyping of compact, wearable systems that involve electronic components, rigid-flex PCBs ... S. in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field Eight or more years industry ...

Sr Mechanical Engineer

Morrisville, NC

$97K - $129K/yr

Lead and support the development of prototypes and their progression toward production-ready ... Provide technical leadership, sound engineering judgment, and hands-on problem-solving across ...

Sr Mechanical Engineer

Morrisville, NC · On-site

$97K - $129K/yr

Lead and support the development of prototypes and their progression toward production-ready ... Provide technical leadership, sound engineering judgment, and hands-on problem-solving across ...

PCB level electrical design, prototype build and test. * Software development and testing for new products and upgrades to existing products. * Transition of new products from engineering to ...

Senior Electrical Engineer R&D

Morrisville, NC · On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

NIRSense is seeking an experienced senior electrical engineer to own early-stage hardware prototyping within our growing engineering and scientific team in its Morrisville, NC office. This person ...

Senior Electrical Engineer R&D

Morrisville, NC · On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

NIRSense is seeking an experienced senior electrical engineer to own early-stage hardware prototyping within our growing engineering and scientific team in its Morrisville, NC office. This person ...

NIRSense is seeking an experienced senior electrical engineer to own early-stage hardware prototyping within our growing engineering and scientific team in its Morrisville, NC office. This person ...

Valicy is looking for a Gameplay / Systems Engineer is responsible for rapidly prototyping, implementing, evaluating, and refining gameplay systems for land-based gaming products. This role sits at ...

Create and evaluate prototypes throughout the product-development process. * Conduct methodical experiments, analyze engineering data, and interpret results to support design decisions. * Test and ...

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Prototype Engineer information

See North Carolina salary details

$26

$33

$35

How much do prototype engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineer in North Carolina is $33.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.25 and $34.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Engineer jobs in North Carolina?

The most popular types of Prototype Engineer jobs in North Carolina are:

What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineer jobs in North Carolina look for?

The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineer jobs in North Carolina are:

What cities in North Carolina are hiring for Prototype Engineer jobs?

Cities in North Carolina with the most Prototype Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Prototype Engineer job openings in North Carolina as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,949 per year, or $33.1 per hour.

Sr. Prototyping Engineer

Hickory, NC • On-site


Corning

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$93K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Requisition Number: 75049
The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.

Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible.
How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations - not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.
At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.
Come break through with us.
Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry.This segment is classified into two main product groupings - carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.
Scope of Position:
• Project and Design engineer focused on designing, building, or coordinating prototypes for optical connectivity solutions for fiber optic networks.
• Develop knowledge of materials, fundamentals of optical network connectorization including cable/connector interactions, optical hardware, and fiber optic cable.
• Work closely with other engineers, technicians and supply chain to design and build prototypes to develop product solutions.
• Deliver prototype design to Technology Teams for further development and testing or to manufacturing operations for higher volume production.
• Create and leverage large network of suppliers, fabrication shops, contract manufacturers and Cable Assembly Houses to design, build and deliver prototypes.
• Projects could support any Corning division or research and development opportunities.
Day to Day Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with customers, Market Development, Product Line Managers, engineers, technicians, lab managers, suppliers, and supply chain to design, build and deliver prototypes for optical connectivity solutions for fiber optic networks.
• Coordinate design details, material procurement, fabrication timelines and delivery of prototypes with internal and external resources.
• Support project teams and the definition of prototype design objectives and timelines.
• Work with internal and external subject matter experts to identify key processing technologies and determine feasibility.
• Engage global manufacturing plants to capture manufacturability of proposed solutions and support initial implementation of new process technologies.
• Collaborate with internal and external equipment and tooling designers to establish functional requirements.
• Capture and deliver new ideas for patent submission.
• Ensure that requirements are properly developed and documented in conjunction with appropriate manufacturing, development, and commercial personnel.
• Work with manufacturing engineering to develop and implement process documentation for each project as needed.
• Lead and collect feedback to iterate and drive adoption.
• Maintain and improve a safe work environment.
• Work with colleagues to find creative solutions to building prototypes.
• Build and leverage network of Product Experts to assist with prototype designs.
• Build and leverage network of fabrication capabilities both internally and externally.
• Listen to customers for understanding of problem, ideas, and feedback on potential solutions.
• Document requests and solutions
Travel Requirements:
• 25%-50% on average depending on the project requirements. Includes international travel.
Required Education:
• BS in Engineering or Project Management or 10+ years of equivalent experience in a development role.
Required Years and Area of Experience:
• 3-5 years of experience in a development or experimental laboratory environment working with electrical/mechanical assembly and testing.
Required Skills:
  • Demonstrated problem solving techniques.
    • Demonstrated, applied mechanical aptitude.
    • Ability to clearly express technical ideas.
    • Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
    • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
    • Ability to communicate effectively to internal and external customers and within multi-national groups
    • Ability to work in technical project teams in a team member role.
    • Desire to learn and develop personal and organizational knowledge.
    • Proficient in the use of MS Office (Excel, Word, Project, PowerPoint)
  • Design products or manufacturing processes using CAD (ProE / CREO Skills a Must)

Desired Skills:
• Ability to interpret and generate drawings and schematics.
• Familiar with fiber optic theory.
• Project management experience and demonstrated application of project management tools.
• Proactively collaborates throughout an organization and drives technical culture.
• Experience with discrete assembly processing.
• Experience developing processes and parameters.
• Collaboration with internal and external designers.
Soft Skills:
• Personal initiative and commitment to success
• Organized with good planning and time management skills
• Ability to build relationships within cross functional groups; team building skills
• Positive attitude, flexible and good work ethic
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $95,759.00 - $131,669.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.
A job that shapes a life.
Corning offers you the total package.
Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.
  • Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
  • As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning's total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
  • Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
  • Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That's why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.

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