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Prototype Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Etched

Prototype Engineering Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

The outcome you are hired to deliver is simple to state and hard to do: any Etched engineer can get a prototype part made with same-day or next-day turnaround. You own the entire outcome required to ...

Etched

Prototype Engineering Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

The outcome you are hired to deliver is simple to state and hard to do: any Etched engineer can get a prototype part made with same-day or next-day turnaround. You own the entire outcome required to ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

San Jose, CA

$42 - $47/hr

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 ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner II

San Diego, CA

$38 - $42.50/hr

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 ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner II

Los Angeles, CA

$38.50 - $43/hr

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 ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

San Diego, CA

$38 - $42.50/hr

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 ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Los Angeles, CA

$38.50 - $43/hr

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 ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner II

San Jose, CA

$42 - $47/hr

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 ...

Physical Intelligence

Prototype Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$42 - $47.25/hr

You'll work closely with our research and engineering teams to rapidly design, build, and iterate on concept mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes that push the boundaries of what our robots ...

Ampa, Inc.

Sr. Prototype Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

You'll work closely with engineering teams to build, troubleshoot, test, and improve early-stage ... Prototype Development & Testing: Build, troubleshoot, and iteratively test biomedical and ...

Observable Space

Prototype Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

We're building a state of the art prototyping facility to machine some of the world's most ... Participate in engineering design reviews to evaluate manufacturability * Collaborate closely with ...

Neros Technologies

Prototype Shop Manager

Torrance, CA · 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 ...

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All JobsPrototype Engineering JobsPrototype Engineering Jobs in California

Prototype Engineering information

See California salary details

$28

$35

$38

How much do prototype engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineering in California is $36.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.94 and $37.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by prototype engineers during the product development process?

Prototype engineers often encounter challenges such as tight development timelines, limited resources, and evolving design requirements. They must frequently adapt to changes based on feedback from testing and cross-functional teams, which requires flexibility and strong problem-solving skills. Additionally, balancing functionality, manufacturability, and cost during rapid prototyping can be demanding, but it provides valuable experience in innovative thinking and collaboration.

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 a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, strong problem-solving abilities, and hands-on experience with prototyping methods. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools like 3D printers, and knowledge of manufacturing processes are typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication help Prototype Engineers collaborate with cross-functional teams and iterate designs efficiently. These skills are crucial for transforming innovative ideas into functional prototypes that support product development and innovation.

What is the difference between Prototype Engineering vs Mechanical Design?

AspectPrototype EngineeringMechanical Design
Primary FocusDeveloping, building, and testing prototypes to validate conceptsCreating detailed mechanical parts and assemblies for products
Required SkillsHands-on fabrication, rapid prototyping, testing methodsCAD modeling, technical drawings, design analysis
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, workshops, manufacturing settingsDesign offices, CAD labs, engineering departments
Common CertificationsNone specific, often practical experienceProfessional engineering licenses, CAD certifications

Prototype Engineering and Mechanical Design are closely related roles in product development. Prototype engineers focus on building and testing physical models to validate concepts, while mechanical designers create detailed plans and models for manufacturing. Both roles often collaborate but serve different stages of the product development process.

What is prototype engineering?

Prototype engineering is the process of designing, building, and testing early models of products or components to evaluate their functionality, performance, and feasibility. Prototype engineers work closely with designers and product developers to turn ideas into tangible models, which can be used for testing and refinement before mass production. This helps identify design flaws, improve product quality, and reduce development costs. Prototype engineering plays a crucial role in industries such as automotive, electronics, and consumer products, where rapid innovation and iteration are essential.

What are popular job titles related to Prototype Engineering jobs in California?

For Prototype Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineering jobs in California are:

Prototype Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,874 per year, or $36 per hour.

Prototype Engineering Lead

Etched

San Jose, CA • On-site

$2.0K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

About Etched
Etched is building hardware for frontier intelligence. We co-design chips, racks, software, and manufacturing to deliver best-in-class throughput and latency across both prefill and decode workloads. Our first products are heavily focused on inference. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history.
Job Summary
We are standing up an in-house prototyping division at our 80,000 square foot Milpitas facility: a quick-turn machine shop and sheet metal cell, a system assembly and integration area, and a prototype SMT line. The outcome you are hired to deliver is simple to state and hard to do: any Etched engineer can get a prototype part made with same-day or next-day turnaround. You own the entire outcome required to make that true - hiring, shop setup, process, and execution.
Key Responsibilities
  • Own the end-to-end stand-up of the prototyping division: space planning, equipment selection and procurement, facility improvements, permits, and commissioning of the machine shop, sheet metal cell, assembly area, and prototype SMT line
  • Hire, lead, and develop a team of machinists, fabricators, and assembly technicians.
  • Run day-to-day operations against the division's core metric: same-day or next-day turnaround on prototype parts for engineering
  • Build the systems that make a shop run: work intake and prioritization, quoting, scheduling, traceability, inventory and vendor-managed consumables, and preventive maintenance
  • Own the division budget (capex and opex), make build-vs-buy calls, and manage relationships with machine dealers, riggers, and overflow vendors
  • Stand up quality infrastructure: first-article inspection, calibration program, cross-section/failure-analysis lab, and inspection criteria for incoming and in-process work
  • Partner daily with mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to close design-for-manufacturability feedback loops and pull schedules in.

You may be a good fit if you have
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or other engineering discipline; OR 4+ years of professional experience in manufacturing or prototype operations in lieu of a degree
  • 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, machine shop, or hardware prototyping operations
  • 2+ years of experience directly leading technicians, machinists, or manufacturing teams
  • Hands-on experience with CNC machining and/or sheet metal fabrication processes

Strong candidates may also have experience with
  • Experience standing up a machine shop, prototype lab, or manufacturing line from an empty floor: equipment selection, rigging, utilities, and permits
  • Working knowledge across the processes we run: 3-axis CNC milling, manual machining, waterjet cutting, CNC press brake forming, welding, and hardware insertion
  • Experience with PCBA/SMT NPI processes (stencil printing, pick and place, reflow, AOI, X-ray, rework) or willingness to build that capability with a strong process engineer
  • Experience with liquid-cooled systems, server/rack-scale hardware, or data center equipment assembly and test
  • Familiarity with California manufacturing compliance: Cal/OSHA, CUPA/HMBP hazmat programs, BAAQMD air permits, wastewater discharge
  • Experience implementing ERP/MES or lightweight traceability systems in a job-shop or NPI environment
  • Ability to personally run a mill, brake, or lathe when the queue demands it
  • Experience in a high-growth startup or program-driven environment (aerospace, automotive, consumer hardware NPI)
  • Track record of hiring and retaining skilled trades talent in a competitive market

Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage
    • $500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits
  • Housing subsidy of $2k per month for those living within walking distance of the office
  • Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)
  • Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more
  • Daily lunch and dinner in our office
  • Unlimited compute budget subject to ROI justification

How we're different
Etched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We are the first inference-focused frontier AI system. Our addressable market is the entirety of inference, unlike many of our competitors.
We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both and work across disciplines as needed.

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