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Prototype Lab Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Etched

Prototype Engineering Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

Hire, lead, and develop a team of machinists, fabricators, and assembly technicians. * Run day-to ... Experience standing up a machine shop, prototype lab, or manufacturing line from an empty floor ...

Generac

Lab Technician Intern

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

Summary The Lab Technician Intern will support our engineering team in the development, testing ... In this role, you will support hardware testing, prototyping, and validation activities for our ...

University of Utah

Lab Technician

Campus, IL

$19 - $21.63/hr

Details Open Date 09/22/2025 Requisition Number PRN43138B Job Title Lab Technician Working Title ... Use maker tools (e.g., CAD design and 3D printing) to prototype and refine rig components. * Run ...

University of Utah

Lab Technician

Campus, IL

$19 - $21.63/hr

Details Open Date 09/22/2025 Requisition Number PRN43138B Job Title Lab Technician Working Title ... Use maker tools (e.g., CAD design and 3D printing) to prototype and refine rig components. * Run ...

University of Utah

Lab Technician

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$19 - $21.63/hr

Announcement Details Open Date 09/22/2025 Requisition Number PRN43138B Job Title Lab Technician ... Use maker tools (e.g., CAD design and 3D printing) to prototype and refine rig components. * Run ...

University of Utah

Lab Technician

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$19 - $21.63/hr

Details Open Date 09/22/2025 Requisition Number PRN43138B Job Title Lab Technician Working Title ... Use maker tools (e.g., CAD design and 3D printing) to prototype and refine rig components. * Run ...

University of Utah

Lab Technician

Campus, IL · On-site

$19 - $21.63/hr

Details Open Date 09/22/2025 Requisition Number PRN43138B Job Title Lab Technician Working Title ... Use maker tools (e.g., CAD design and 3D printing) to prototype and refine rig components. * Run ...

NorthEastern

Instructional Lab Technician

Boston, MA

$20.75 - $27.50/hr

... Technician provides essential technical and instructional support for undergraduate teaching ... prototypes; recording and reporting test data as it pertains to teaching lab needs; and supporting ...

Etched

Lab Technician (Contractor)

San Jose, CA · On-site

$22.25 - $29.50/hr

As a Lab Technician, you'll build, integrate, and debug prototype servers and racks - assembling boards into chassis, routing power and signal cabling, and getting systems to mechanical bring-up so ...

Northeastern University

Instructional Lab Technician

Boston, MA · On-site

$20.75 - $27.50/hr

... Technician provides essential technical and instructional support for undergraduate teaching ... prototypes; recording and reporting test data as it pertains to teaching lab needs; and supporting ...

AA2IT

Lab Technician

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$18.50 - $24.75/hr

Lab Technician Pay Rate: 23.00 /HR on W2 Location: 11501 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28273 ... prototype samples in a safe, timely, and professional manner. This position will have the primary ...

Etched

Lab Technician (Contractor)

San Jose, CA · On-site

$22.25 - $29.50/hr

As a Lab Technician, you'll build, integrate, and debug prototype servers and racks -- assembling boards into chassis, routing power and signal cabling, and getting systems to mechanical bring-up so ...

AA2IT

Lab Technician

Charlotte, NC

$18.50 - $24.75/hr

Lab Technician Pay Rate: 23.00 /HR on W2 Location: 11501 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28273 ... prototype samples in a safe, timely, and professional manner. This position will have the primary ...

Chapin Manufacturing Inc

LAB TECHNICIAN

Batavia, NY · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

As a Testing Lab Technician at Chapin, you will play a critical role in ensuring the quality and ... prototype manufacture or special test configurations, and contribute to improvements of the lab.

Chapin Manufacturing Inc

LAB TECHNICIAN

Batavia, NY · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

As a Testing Lab Technician at Chapin, you will play a critical role in ensuring the quality and ... prototype manufacture or special test configurations, and contribute to improvements of the lab.

Actalent

Hardware Lab Technician

Southfield, MI

$28 - $33/hr

Hardware Lab Technician This role focuses on assembling, testing, and troubleshooting research and ... Carry out mechanical assembly of prototype systems, ensuring components are installed, aligned, and ...

Kintara

Lab Technician

Solon, OH · On-site

$22 - $30/hr

**Lab Technician ** **Location: Solon, OH ** ** ** **About the Position ** This is a hands-on ... Experience supporting R&D, prototype development, or pilot manufacturing * Experience operating ...

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Prototype Lab Technician information

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How much do prototype lab technician jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype lab technician in the United States is $22.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a prototype lab technician?

To become a prototype lab technician, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical training or an associate degree in engineering, manufacturing, or a related field. Relevant skills include proficiency with tools, CAD software, and understanding of manufacturing processes; some positions may require certifications or hands-on experience. On-the-job training is common, and attention to detail and problem-solving skills are essential in a lab environment.

What is the difference between Prototype Lab Technician vs Mechanical Technician?

AspectPrototype Lab TechnicianMechanical Technician
CredentialsAssociate degree or technical certification in engineering or manufacturingAssociate degree or diploma in mechanical technology or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, prototype development areas, R&D facilitiesManufacturing plants, maintenance workshops, industrial settings
Industry UsagePrimarily in product development, R&D, and innovation sectorsManufacturing, maintenance, and repair industries

The Prototype Lab Technician focuses on developing and testing prototypes in R&D environments, often working closely with engineers. Mechanical Technicians support manufacturing processes, perform maintenance, and repair machinery. While both roles require technical skills and certifications, Prototype Lab Technicians are more involved in early-stage product development, whereas Mechanical Technicians focus on operational and maintenance tasks in industrial settings.

What is a prototype lab technician?

Prototype Lab Technicians are skilled professionals who assist in the development, assembly, and testing of prototypes for new products or devices. They work closely with engineers and designers to fabricate parts, operate specialized equipment, and troubleshoot issues during the prototyping process. Their role is critical in turning design concepts into functional models that can be evaluated and improved before mass production. They often work in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, electronics, and research and development.

What are some common challenges prototype lab technicians face when working on early-stage product development?

Prototype Lab Technicians often encounter challenges such as unclear specifications, rapidly changing design requirements, and tight deadlines. Adapting to new materials or technologies and troubleshooting unexpected issues with prototypes are also frequent aspects of the role. Success in this position requires flexibility, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication with engineers and designers to ensure prototypes meet evolving project needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prototype lab technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prototype Lab Technician, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering principles, hands-on fabrication skills, and experience with prototyping processes, often supported by a relevant technical diploma or degree. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printers, CNC machines, and measurement tools is typically required, along with safety certifications. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with engineers and adapting to design changes. These skills ensure that prototypes are accurately built, tested, and refined efficiently to support product development cycles.
More about Prototype Lab Technician jobs
What job categories do people searching Prototype Lab Technician jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Lab Technician jobs are:
Prototype Lab Technician jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype Lab Technician job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,864 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Prototype Engineering Lead

Etched

San Jose, CA • On-site

$2.0K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 14 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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