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Prototype Engineering Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Burton's Prototype Shop Technicians are key team members of our Advanced Concept and Development ... Complete a job request from start to finish, building to an engineering design request to meet the ...

The prototype buyer is responsible for supporting prototype and development procurement activities ... The role acts as a key interface between internal engineering teams, project stakeholders, and ...

The prototype buyer is responsible for supporting prototype and development procurement activities ... The role acts as a key interface between internal engineering teams, project stakeholders, and ...

The prototype buyer is responsible for supporting prototype and development procurement activities ... The role acts as a key interface between internal engineering teams, project stakeholders, and ...

Prototype Lab Technician

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

This position supports the powertrain engineering area. POSITION TYPE: Full time. Onsite daily ... Experience assembling electro-mechanical prototype components. * Experience conducting functional ...

Coordinate with Engineering on the release of drawings and reviews for manufacturability of parts and material requirements. * Serve as point of contact and subject matter expert for coordination of ...

Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Finance, Cost Modeling, and Operations to support prototype programs * Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical and operational issues Production ...

Coordinate with Engineering on the release of drawings and reviews for manufacturability of parts and material requirements. * Serve as point of contact and subject matter expert for coordination of ...

* Drive the concept design, prototyping, engineering, testing, release and enhancements of a cutting edge compute platform for Autonomous Driving * Work closely with other teams to ensure a seamless ...

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Prototype Engineering information

See Michigan salary details

$25

$31

$33

How much do prototype engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineering in Michigan is $31.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.95 and $33.51 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 Michigan? For Prototype Engineering jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineering jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineering jobs in Michigan are:
Infographic showing various Prototype Engineering job openings in Michigan as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, and 56% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $66,126 per year, or $31.8 per hour.
Experience Prototyping Engineering Lead

Experience Prototyping Engineering Lead

General Motors

Warren, MI • On-site

$96K - $126K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


General Motors rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 305 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

Job Description
Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. The successful candidate is expected to report to the GM Global Technical Center in Warren, MI or Mountain View, CA three times per week, at minimum.
Why join us?
General Motors pioneers the innovations that move and connect people to what matters. We see a world with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion. As we move toward this vision, software plays an integral role as it becomes more prominent in our vehicles.
Our ambition in Software & Services Product Management is to build a world-class software development culture that is part of the company's shared vision. We are creating an elite portfolio of software-defined vehicles by tightly integrating software, hardware, and services to create complete and compelling vehicle experiences for our customers.
The Role
As an Engineering Lead for the Software and Services Product Management - Experience Prototyping Team: you will define and deliver next-generation software experiences across web, mobile, and embedded platforms-both in and outside the vehicle. You will lead a small team of software engineers in rapidly building functional prototypes that inform product roadmaps and requirements, enabling early validation of customer and business value. You will collaborate closely with product managers and designers to ensure that the experiences we prototype are aligned with user needs and strategic goals.
In addition to your development responsibilities, you will collaborate as a technical consultant and domain partner with teams across GM, bringing a working knowledge of vehicle systems and the software/hardware technologies that support them. Your ability to connect technical innovation with product context will be key to delivering impactful prototypes.
This role requires a strong technical foundation across the full stack, the ability to navigate ambiguity, and a passion for innovation. You will also consult with product execution teams to ensure that the prototypes integrate seamlessly into GM's broader ecosystem of technologies and services. Thriving in fast-paced environments, demonstrating technical leadership, and influencing cross-functional teams are all essential to success in this role. We expect you to be hands-on, proactive, and committed to shaping the future of mobility through thoughtful, user-centered software experiences.
What You'll Do
  • Lead a team of full stack software engineers to deliver rapid prototypes
  • Act as a technical consultant to Product, Design, and Engineering teams, providing guidance on future product experiences and ensuring alignment with GM's software and hardware ecosystem.
  • Architect, develop and deploy prototype solutions that serve as experiments to gather insights and data, enabling informed decision-making across the organization.
  • Provide best practice recommendations for software development across a wide range of technologies and platforms.
  • Continuously expand your knowledge in key areas, including:
    • Emerging technologies and development frameworks
    • GM's vehicle development cycles and timelines
    • In-vehicle and cloud-based architecture
    • GM's business model and how software enables and enhances it
  • Embrace a breadth-over-depth approach: this is not a production engineering role. You'll work across a wide variety of topics and technologies, focusing on rapid prototyping rather than long-term implementation or customer deployment.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field
  • 2+ years as a team leader or people leader
  • 7+ years of experience as a full stack developer experience with
    • Front End Experience: ReactJS, HTML/CSS
    • Back End Experience: Python, Node/Next.js
    • Mobile Experience: Android (Kotlin/Jetpack Compose)
  • Experience decomposing features and stories into work items the engineering teams
  • Exceptional strategic thinking and the ability to translate complex ideas into actionable requirements
  • Experience with building products in the innovation/prototyping space
  • Understanding of user-centered design principles and experience collaborating closely with UX/UI teams.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Solid grasp of emerging technologies, industry trends, and market dynamics.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to make informed decisions.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Deep understanding of automotive software and hardware architecture, including in-vehicle systems, connectivity, and embedded platforms.
  • Prior experience working with or within General Motors (GM), or strong familiarity with GM's technology stack, development cycles, and product ecosystem.
  • Demonstrated ability to bridge technical and business domains, especially in fast-paced prototyping or innovation environments.
  • Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in large enterprise or automotive settings.
  • Machine Learning: An understanding of machine learning frameworks like Scikit-learn is advantageous for projects involving data-driven decision-making.
  • Experience with multiple rapid prototyping and lean product development frameworks.

Compensation: The compensation information is a good faith estimate only. It is based on what a successful applicant might be paid in accordance with applicable state laws. The compensation may not be representative for positions located outside of the California Bay Area.
  • The salary range for this role is ($189,300 - $290,700). The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
  • Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.
GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
#LI-SA2
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, emailus or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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About General Motors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

General Motors is a company with global scale and capabilities, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with employees around the world. The company employs over 165,000 people, serves six continents, operates across 22 time zones, and has a diverse workforce speaking 75 languages1. GM’s vision is to drive the world forward by pioneering innovations that move and connect people to what matters. The company is working towards an all-electric future with its new Ultium Platform and is pushing transportation options beyond our wildest imaginations with autonomous vehicles. GM is also committed to becoming the most inclusive company in the world.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Detroit, MI, US

Year founded

1908