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Prototype Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding , you will design and build prototype and flight hardware, develop fixturing and production processes, and help shape the long-term capabilities of our shop.

Sensor Solutions Prototype Engineer Sr

Hartford, CT ยท On-site

$55.75 - $71.75/hr

Hartford, CT The Sensor Solutions Prototype Engineer is responsible for coordinating field tests and piloting of sensor use cases, devices, and product opportunities, as a part of Applied Technology ...

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 ...

Full Stack Prototype Engineer

Manhattan, NY ยท Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Full Stack Prototype Engineer Location-Type: Remote OR Hybrid NYC- either OK (EST working hours) Start Date Is: ASAP Duration: (contract, perm, etc) 3 Month Contract (Can extend or potentially ...

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 ...

Engineer II (Prototype)

Berea, KY ยท On-site

$29.75 - $33.50/hr

Manufacturing & Operations Manufacturing Production Process Engineering focuses on designing, developing,making prototype and implementing new or revised production processes for the efficient ...

Full Stack Prototype Engineer

Manhattan, NY ยท Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Full Stack Prototype Engineer Location-Type: Remote OR Hybrid NYC- either OK (EST working hours) Start Date Is: Early May Duration: (contract, perm, etc) 3 Month Contract (Can extend or potentially ...

Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding , you will design and build prototype and flight hardware, develop fixturing and production processes, and help shape the long-term capabilities of our shop.

Engineer II (Prototype)

Berea, KY ยท On-site

$29.75 - $33.50/hr

Manufacturing & Operations Manufacturing Production Process Engineering focuses on designing, developing,making prototype and implementing new or revised production processes for the efficient ...

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Orlando, FL

$33.25 - $37.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Miami, FL

$34.25 - $38.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner I

San Jose, CA

$42 - $47/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner II

San Diego, CA

$38 - $42.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner II

Orlando, FL

$33.25 - $37.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Albuquerque, NM

$34.75 - $38.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner I

El Paso, TX

$32.25 - $36.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner II

Phoenix, AZ

$35.50 - $39.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Phoenix, AZ

$35.50 - $39.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Prototype Engineer information

See salary details

$29

$36

$38

How much do prototype engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineer in the United States is $36.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.38 and $38.46 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 cities are hiring for Prototype Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Prototype Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Prototype Engineer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Prototype Engineer jobs? The top employers for Prototype Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Prototype Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Prototype Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Prototype Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,868 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding

Panthalassa

Portland, OR โ€ข On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

About the Company
We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore. Our core technology is the node, a device that produces energy in the ocean's harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.
The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company's direction on a regular basis.
About the Job
We are building hardware that has to survive real ocean conditions. That means constant prototyping, welding, fabrication, and iteration. Our shop is not a support function, it is central to the company's success. As a Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding, you will design and build prototype and flight hardware, develop fixturing and production processes, and help shape the long-term capabilities of our shop.
You will work side-by-side with engineers and machinists to turn concepts into hardware quickly and correctly. You will own weldments and assemblies from drawing to finished part, provide direct DFM feedback to design engineers, and help ensure the shop runs safely and efficiently. Good work in this role looks like strong hardware, clean welds, practical fixtures, clear documentation, and a shop that gets better every month.
Responsibilities
  • Design and manufacture prototype and production hardware using welding, machining, CAD, and additive processes
  • Fabricate and weld structural assemblies from engineering drawings
  • Develop and document production processes, work instructions, and shop capabilities
  • Provide direct DFM feedback to design engineers to improve manufacturability and cost
  • Design and build fixturing to support repeatable fabrication and assembly
  • Maintain shop organization, tooling systems, and equipment readiness
  • Enforce and model a strong safety culture in daily work
  • Order supplies and equipment; research tools, materials, and techniques to improve shop performance
  • Create and maintain documentation systems using standard office software
  • Support other teams as needed, including facilities, logistics, and operations
Qualifications
Required
  • 5+ years of professional welding and fabrication experience
  • Degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience
  • Demonstrated experience with bending and sheet metal fabrication
  • Professional CAD experience (NX preferred)
  • Ability to read and interpret weldment drawings and engineering documentation
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience welding using FCAW processes
  • Experience with non-destructive evaluation methods, preferably ultrasonic testing (UT)
  • Experience working across a wide range of manufacturing processes and materials
  • Ability to follow instructions precisely and push back when instructions are incomplete or incorrect
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Self-directed work ethic with the ability to operate independently
  • Demonstrated drive for continuous improvement in tools, processes, and organization
  • Proficiency with standard computer software (word processors, spreadsheets)
  • Comfortable using a computer for documentation, communication, research, and basic data management tasks

Desired
  • Experience building hardware for harsh environments such as marine, aerospace, or heavy industrial systems
  • Experience developing new shop layouts or scaling fabrication capabilities in a growing organization

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.
Additional Requirements
Physical Requirements
  • Must be able to stand for extended periods (up to 8-hours per day) and occasionally lift 50 pounds or more
  • Comfortable working at height (ladders and platforms) and in confined spaces with appropriate safety equipment and training
  • Willingness to support other teams across the company when needed
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Deployment & Travel
The ability to support occasional deployment or field assignments of up to two weeks at a time, one to two times per year. While this is not a deal-breaker, candidates should be open to periodic travel or on-site work as needed for operational support.
Compensation and Benefits
If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:
  • Cash compensation of $100,000 - $175,000
  • Equity in the company. We're all owners and if we're successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
  • A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
    • Flexible paid time off
    • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
    • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)
    • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
    • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)
    • Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
  • Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).
Location
This is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon. This position requires daily on-site work.