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Prototype Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Prototype Fabricator

Sunnyvale, CA

$50.19 - $88.08/hr

The Applied Research and Characterization team combines expertise in mechanical engineering, human ... Because our prototypes serve internal research rather than production pipelines, the emphasis is on ...

Anduril Industries

EE Lab Supervisor

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

Support engineering activities such as building prototypes, sub-assemblies, and prepare feasibility test units, samples under the guidance of engineers. * Perform work using drawings, diagrams ...

Protingent

Prototype Build Technician

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Prototype Build Technician Position Description : Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct hire ... You'll work closely with hardware and service engineering teams to tackle novel technical ...

Anduril Industries

EE Lab Supervisor

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$98K - $171K/yr

Support engineering activities such as building prototypes, sub-assemblies, and prepare feasibility test units, samples under the guidance of engineers. * Perform work using drawings, diagrams ...

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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 Jun 12, 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's a design engineer's salary?

A design engineer's salary varies based on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $70,000 to $110,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn over $120,000. Skills in CAD software and project management can influence compensation.

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial positions, or possessing rare technical expertise and certifications.

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 engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or working in high-cost-of-living areas.

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 does a prototype engineer do?

A prototype engineer designs, develops, and tests early models of products to evaluate concepts and functionality. They use CAD software, 3D printing, and testing tools to refine designs and ensure feasibility before mass production. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of materials are essential in this role.
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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,874 per year, or $36 per hour.
FPGA Prototype Engineer

FPGA Prototype Engineer

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$145K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Advanced Micro Devices rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 139 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING
At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences-from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you'll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world's most important challenges-striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond. Together, we advance your career.
THE ROLE:
In this role, you will drive early-stage validation of complex SoC and subsystem designs using FPGA/HAPS platforms across AMD's next-generation silicon programs. You will collaborate closely with architecture, RTL design, verification, emulation, firmware, and bring-up teams to deliver high-fidelity prototypes that enable software development, performance studies, and system integration long before silicon availability.
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on bring-up, debug, and system-level problem solving across hardware, firmware, and validation domains.
THE PERSON:
You have a passion for modern, complex processor architecture, digital design, and verification in general. You are a team player who has excellent communication skills and experience collaborating with other engineers located in different sites/timezones. You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and are willing to learn and ready to take on problems.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
HAPS/FPGA Prototyping & SoC Mapping
  • Partition large SoC RTL for multi-FPGA platforms (Synopsys HAPS or equivalent).
  • Perform synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, and resource optimization for FPGA builds.
  • Develop and maintain HAPS/FPGA build infrastructure including scripts, flows, and makefiles.
  • Integrate custom transactors, high-speed interfaces, and debug instrumentation.

Platform Bring-Up & Validation
  • Bring up prototypes in lab environments, including clocks/resets, DDR, PCIe, networking, and custom high-speed IP.
  • Validate system functionality by running architectural tests, diagnostics, directed tests, and firmware.
  • Enable and support pre-silicon software development (drivers, OS bring-up, bootloader work).

Debug & Issue Resolution
  • Drive debug of functional, timing, or tool-related issues across FPGA, RTL, and test environments.
  • Analyze waveform data, HAPS Deep Trace, SystemVerilog assertions, debug probes, and logic analyzers.
  • Work across teams (RTL, DV, Emulation, Firmware, Silicon Bring-up) to root-cause and resolve issues efficiently.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with design and DV teams to ensure RTL is "prototype-ready" with appropriate constraints, transactors, and models.
  • Collaborate with software teams to identify, prioritize, and execute pre-silicon use cases.
  • Provide feedback to architecture and design teams based on prototyping insights.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:
Technical Skills
  • Strong RTL design background using SystemVerilog/Verilog.
  • Hands-on experience with Synopsys HAPS, Protium, Palladium, or other FPGA/emulation platforms.
  • Experience with SoC buses and protocols: AXI, ACE, APB, PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, SerDes-based links, etc.
  • Familiarity with lint/tools (SpyGlass), CDC, timing constraints, and clocking architecture.
  • Strong debug skills across RTL, simulation, FPGA, and system setups.

Software / Scripting
  • Expertise in scripting/automation: Python, Perl, Tcl, Make/CMake, Shell.
  • Experience integrating C/C++ or embedded firmware into prototyping flows is a plus.

Soft Skills
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in ambiguous, cross-domain environments.
  • Excellent communication and ability to collaborate across broad multi-site teams.
  • Self-starter with the ability to drive issues to closure.

NICE-TO-HAVES (OPTIONAL)
  • Experience working with large multi-FPGA prototyping (>10 FPGAs).
  • Track record enabling early software stacks (Linux kernel, drivers, boot firmware).
  • Familiarity with emulation acceleration, hybrid simulation, or co-modeling.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in electrical/computer engineering or related field, Masters preferred
#LI-BW1
This role is not eligible for VISA sponsorship.
Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants' needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD's "Responsible AI Policy" is available here.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

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