ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Prototype Shop Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Neros Technologies

Prototype Shop Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

What you will be doing As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day-to-day operation and long-term development of our prototype fabrication capabilities. You will work closely with ...

Neros Technologies

Prototype Shop Manager

Torrance, CA

$120K - $180K/yr

What you will be doing As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day-to-day operation and long-term development of our prototype fabrication capabilities. You will work closely with ...

SNAP Diagnostics

Prototype Machinist

Anderson, SC · On-site

Under the guidance of experienced machinists and prototype shop personnel, the machinist will gain hands-on experience operating machine shop equipment, interpreting engineering drawings, performing ...

New

DES

Shop Technician

Ladson, SC · On-site

The Shop Technician is responsible for the execution of prototype shop work. This role will report to the Engineering Project Manager and support project teams with machining, fabrication and welding ...

Amazon

Machine Shop Manager

North Reading, MA

This is a prototype shop: short-run, high-mix. Most jobs are unique, every setup matters, and the engineering team's development velocity depends on what leaves the shop each week. You will manage ...

Amazon

Machine Shop Manager

North Reading, MA

This is a prototype shop: short-run, high-mix. Most jobs are unique, every setup matters, and the engineering team's development velocity depends on what leaves the shop each week. You will manage ...

Bosch Group

Prototyping Specialist

Waltham, MA

$72K - $78K/yr

You will be supporting the prototype shop quality management system by developing work instructions, maintaining documentation, participating in audits, and ensuring compliance with established ...

Bosch Group

Prototyping Specialist

Waltham, MA · On-site

$72K - $78K/yr

You will be supporting the prototype shop quality management system by developing work instructions, maintaining documentation, participating in audits, and ensuring compliance with established ...

Amazon

Machine Shop Manager

Reading, MA · On-site

This is a prototype shop: short-run, high-mix. Most jobs are unique, every setup matters, and the engineering team's development velocity depends on what leaves the shop each week. You will manage ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrototype Shop Jobs

Prototype Shop information

See salary details

$15

$26

$50

How much do prototype shop jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype shop in the United States is $26.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Prototype Shop?

A Prototype Shop is a specialized facility where early versions of products or components are designed, fabricated, and tested. These shops are equipped with a variety of tools and equipment to create prototypes using different materials and manufacturing methods. The main goal is to quickly turn design concepts into physical models for evaluation, testing, and improvement before mass production. Prototype Shops are commonly used in industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Prototype Shop role, and why are they important?

To excel in a Prototype Shop role, you need strong mechanical aptitude, proficiency in fabrication techniques, and experience with blueprint reading, often supported by technical training or a relevant degree. Familiarity with CNC machines, 3D printers, hand tools, and CAD software is typically required, along with safety certifications. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this environment. These abilities ensure that prototypes are built accurately, efficiently, and safely, supporting innovation and product development.

What is the difference between Prototype Shop vs Product Designer?

AspectPrototype ShopProduct Designer
Required credentialsTechnical skills, prototyping toolsDesign background, UX/UI skills
Work environmentManufacturing, R&D labsOffice, collaborative teams
Industry usageProduct development, hardware/software prototypingDigital products, user experience design

Prototype Shops focus on creating physical or digital prototypes for testing and development, often requiring technical and prototyping skills. Product Designers concentrate on designing user-centered digital products, emphasizing UX/UI skills. While both roles involve design and development, Prototype Shops are more technical and manufacturing-oriented, whereas Product Designers focus on user experience and visual design.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a prototype shop, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in a prototype shop often encounter challenges such as tight deadlines, evolving project requirements, and the need to quickly adapt to new materials or fabrication techniques. Communication and collaboration with design, engineering, and production teams are essential to ensure prototypes meet specifications and are delivered on time. Staying organized, being proactive in problem-solving, and continuously updating technical skills can help address these challenges and contribute to successful prototype development.
More about Prototype Shop jobs
What job categories do people searching Prototype Shop jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Shop jobs are:
Prototype Shop jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype Shop job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,312 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Prototype Shop Manager

Neros Technologies

Torrance, CA • On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Who we are
Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America's drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.
As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.
What you will be doing
As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day-to-day operation and long-term development of our prototype fabrication capabilities. You will work closely with engineers to deliver high-quality prototype parts on aggressive timelines, with a strong emphasis on CNC machining, 3D printing, and precision prototype assembly/finish. This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment: you will run the queue, build parts, keep the shop safe and organized, and expand capability over time through smart tooling/equipment decisions and expanding your team as demand grows.
Responsibilities
  • Own daily shop execution: job intake, prioritization, scheduling, and delivery of prototype parts for engineering
  • Machine and fabricate prototype parts; CNC (metals & composite materials) and 3D printing, including post-processing and basic assembly/finish
  • Partner with engineers on DFM: optimize designs for manufacturability, lead time, cost, and repeatability
  • Build and enforce a safety-first shop culture (PPE, dust/fume control for composite machining, machine guarding, training)
  • Own shop readiness: tooling and consumables, calibration, and preventative maintenance scheduling
  • Develop the equipment/tooling roadmap: select, justify, commission, and maintain machines, work holding, cutters, and inspection equipment
  • Hire, train, and mentor technicians as the shop grows; define roles, training plans, and performance expectations

You should have the following
  • 8+ years in a prototype, R&D, or high-mix fabrication environment (aerospace, robotics, motorsports, consumer hardware, job shop, etc.)
  • Strong hands-on capability in manual and CNC machining (setup, workholding, tool selection, feeds/speeds) and comfort machining both metals and composite materials
  • CAM experience (Mastercam, NX CAM, CATIA CAM, SolidCAM, etc.) and fixture/workholding design experience
  • Experience running or owning a shop queue: prioritization, estimating, and communicating timelines/tradeoffs with engineering teams
  • Practical metrology experience (calipers/mics/indicators, datum thinking, basic inspection planning)
  • Experience with procurement, vendor management, and make-vs-buy decisions
  • Strong safety discipline (including composite dust control and shop best practices)

Nice to Have
  • Experience with CNC routers for composites, dust collection systems, and composite-specific tooling/workflows
  • Additive manufacturing depth (SLA/FDM tuning, material selection, consistent post-processing)
  • Metal fabrication experience including weldments and sheet metal work
  • Advanced metrology, deeper GD&T, or functional gage design
  • Experience commissioning equipment (layout, utilities, acceptance testing, training plans)
  • Experience scaling a shop: hiring, training programs, inventory systems, or light ERP/MES tools

US Salary Range
$120,000 - $180,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.
We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Apply