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Prototype Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineers

Chapel Hill, NC ยท 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 ยท 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 ยท 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 ยท 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 ...

Sr Mechanical Engineer

Morrisville, NC ยท 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 ...

Sr Mechanical Engineer

Morrisville, NC ยท On-site

$110 - $150/hr

Lead and support the development of prototypes and their progression toward production-ready ... S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field. * Minimum of ...

AI Engineer

Raleigh, NC ยท Remote

$130K - $160K/yr

AI Engineer, location is remote in the Raleigh, NC area with onsite collaboration as needed. The ... Build prototypes, proofs of concept, and AI-enabled solutions * Develop backend services, APIs, and ...

Senior Electrical Engineer R&D

Morrisville, NC ยท 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 ...

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 ยท 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 ยท 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 ...

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

Conduct prototype and qualification testing to evaluate product performance, reliability, and ... Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. * 0 ...

Conduct prototype and qualification testing to evaluate product performance, reliability, and ... Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. * 0 ...

Position Overview The Mechanical & Hardware Engineer will design, prototype, and integrate mechanical and electromechanical systems that bridge biology, robotics, and automation. This is an on-site ...

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Showing results 1-20

Prototype Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$28

$35

$37

How much do prototype engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineer in Raleigh, NC is $35.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.41 and $37.40 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 popular job titles related to Prototype Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Prototype Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

Infographic showing various Prototype Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,749 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Software Engineers

Blue Sky Robotics

Chapel Hill, NC โ€ข On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

You will design, build, and maintain the robotics software that runs on our production robots. This includes core architecture, reliability, and infrastructure that enable our systems to scale and operate consistently in the field.

What You'll Do
  • Lead the migration of our software stack to ROS2.
  • Improve reliability and uptime across robots and infrastructure.
  • Build architecture, tooling, and observability for large-scale deployments.
  • Create an internal development suite that significantly reduces engineering cycle times.
  • Build core software capabilities that are reusable across varied applications.
What We're Looking For
  • Fast learner with strong analytical ability; able to absorb/create new ideas quickly.
  • High personal output and strong work ethic; excited about startup culture.
  • Customer-obsessed mindset focused on delivering systems that solve real problems.
  • Bias for action and ability to make progress with incomplete information.
  • Strong ownership, high standards, and consistent delivery.
  • Excellent communication and ability to work cross-functionally.
Technical Expectations
  • Strong in Python and robotics software fundamentals. Experience with ROS2, controls, perception, C++, or distributed systems is a plus.
  • Ability to quickly learn new tools and architectures and apply them independently.
  • Skilled at building modular, reliable systems, including debugging, observability, and fault-tolerant design.
What We Offer
  • 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 ship quickly and see your work used immediately in active robot deployments.
  • You have meaningful influence over how our systems scale from early pilots to large, distributed fleets.
  • The work is varied, technically challenging, and central to the company's growth.
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