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Prototype Soldering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Prototype Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$75 - $90/hr

Basic soldering experience and comfort working with hardware components are a plus. Roughly 3 years ... Strong troubleshooting, prototyping, and hardware testing skills with attention to detail.

Prototype Build Technician Position Description : Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct hire ... Experience in soldering, crimping, and working with cable management in lab or shop environments

You will perform manual soldering of surface-mount and through-hole components. You will be ... Experience working in an engineering prototype environment * Excellent digital literacy * Excellent ...

$70 - $110/hr

That's you. * Prototype assembly: Build, integrate, and rework electromechanical prototype ... Solid skills in cable harness design and assembly: wire termination (crimp, solder, IDC), connector ...

Sr. Prototype Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Basic soldering experience and comfort working with hardware components are a plus. Roughly 3 years ... Strong troubleshooting, prototyping, and hardware testing skills with attention to detail.

You will perform manual soldering of surface-mount and through-hole components. You will be ... Experience working in an engineering prototype environment * Excellent digital literacy * Excellent ...

Prototype Assembler

Tempe, AZ ยท On-site

$35.10 - $52.88/hr

You will perform manual soldering of surface-mount and through-hole components. You will be ... Experience working in an engineering prototype environment * Excellent digital literacy * Excellent ...

Senior Lab Technician

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$18.75 - $25/hr

This role will work closely with the engineering team to assemble prototypes, solder electronic components, maintain laboratory equipment, and manage inventory of consumables. The ideal candidate ...

Senior Lab Technician

Austin, TX

$18.75 - $25/hr

This role will work closely with the engineering team to assemble prototypes, solder electronic components, maintain laboratory equipment, and manage inventory of consumables. The ideal candidate ...

Showing results 21-40

Prototype Soldering information

See salary details

$15

$26

$50

How much do prototype soldering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype soldering 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 prototype soldering?

Prototype soldering is the process of manually assembling and connecting electronic components on a circuit board during the early stages of product development. It typically involves soldering components onto printed circuit boards (PCBs) to test and refine new designs before mass production. This work requires precision, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of electronic circuits. Prototype soldering helps engineers identify and fix design flaws, ensuring the final product functions as intended.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prototype soldering technician?

To thrive as a Prototype Soldering Technician, you need a solid understanding of electronics, PCB assembly, and precise hand-soldering skills, often supported by IPC certification or similar credentials. Familiarity with soldering irons, microscopes, rework stations, and inspection tools is typically required. Attention to detail, patience, and strong problem-solving abilities help technicians excel in assembling and troubleshooting complex prototypes. These skills are crucial to ensure prototypes are built accurately and reliably, supporting effective product development and testing.

What are some common challenges faced when working in prototype soldering, and how can they be addressed?

One of the main challenges in prototype soldering is working with small, delicate components that require precision and attention to detail. Additionally, prototype builds often involve frequent design changes, so adaptability and strong communication with design engineers are essential. To overcome these challenges, it's important to stay organized, use the correct tools for fine-pitch soldering, and maintain a clean workstation. Regular collaboration with other team members helps ensure that any design updates or issues are quickly communicated and resolved.

What is the difference between Prototype Soldering vs PCB Assembly Technician?

AspectPrototype SolderingPCB Assembly Technician
CredentialsBasic soldering certifications, technical trainingSimilar soldering skills, often with additional assembly certifications
Work EnvironmentSmall-scale, custom, or experimental projectsMass production, assembly lines
Industry UsageElectronics prototyping, R&DManufacturing, electronics assembly
Search & ComparisonFocused on custom, small-batch solderingMass production soldering and assembly

Prototype Soldering involves precise, small-scale soldering for custom or experimental electronics, often in R&D settings. PCB Assembly Technicians work in high-volume manufacturing, assembling printed circuit boards on production lines. While both roles require soldering skills and similar certifications, Prototype Soldering emphasizes customization and precision, whereas PCB Assembly focuses on efficiency and mass production.

Can you make a career out of prototype soldering?

Prototype soldering is a specialized skill often used in electronics development and testing. Professionals in this field can pursue careers in electronics manufacturing, R&D, or quality assurance, often requiring precision, knowledge of soldering techniques, and familiarity with tools like soldering stations and microscopes. Advancement may involve gaining certifications or experience in related areas such as circuit design or electronics assembly.

Does soldering make good money?

Prototype soldering jobs can offer moderate pay, often depending on experience, skill level, and industry. Entry-level positions may pay around minimum wage, while experienced solderers with specialized skills can earn higher wages, especially in manufacturing or electronics sectors. Certifications and proficiency with tools like soldering stations can also influence earning potential.
More about Prototype Soldering jobs
Infographic showing various Prototype Soldering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,312 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Sr. Prototype Engineer

Ampa Inc.

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

$75 - $90/hr

Other

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Ampa is a pioneering neurotechnology startup developing brain stimulation technology to help eradicate depression . We will improve millions of lives by making this transformative treatment universally accessible. Joining us means youโ€™ll be part of a rapidly growing startup with significant equity opportunities and a major impact on our future.

What to Expect:

Working at Ampa is a rare chance to help transform global mental health and save millions of lives โ€” a level of impact that demands deep commitment. Success here requires resilience, adaptability, and the discipline to put in long hours. If you thrive in a high-intensity, fast-changing environment and want your work to truly matter, you may do the best work of your life here.

Role Overview:

Weโ€™re seeking a handsโ€‘on Sr. Prototype Engineer to support the development, testing, and validation of nextโ€‘generation transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices. Youโ€™ll work closely with engineering teams to build, troubleshoot, test, and improve earlyโ€‘stage systems while helping establish repeatable testing and documentation processes as we scale. You will also serve as a handsโ€‘on technical owner in the San Diego lab, helping bring structure, rigor, and followโ€‘through to prototype testing, troubleshooting, and lab execution.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with physical hardware, solving practical engineering problems, and moving fluidly between bench testing, data analysis, documentation, and prototype iteration. Youโ€™ll play a key role in helping transform evolving concepts into robust, testable, and manufacturable medical technologies. Weโ€™re looking for someone with roughly 3 years of handsโ€‘on mechanical/hardware experience - seasoned enough to work independently, but this role sits downstream of design: the large majority of time is spent on handsโ€‘on, repetitive testing and validation rather than creating new designs from scratch.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Prototype Development & Testing: Build, troubleshoot, and iteratively test biomedical and electromechanical prototypes while developing and executing structured test procedures to evaluate device performance, reliability, safety, and failure modes.
  • Lab Execution: Serve as a handsโ€‘on technical owner for prototype testing, troubleshooting, lab execution, and followโ€‘through on open engineering actions.
  • Data Collection & Analysis: Collect, organize, and analyze prototype test data to identify trends, anomalies, performance issues, and engineering improvements. Maintain precise, traceable test records by unit, condition, setup, result, deviation, and followโ€‘up action.
  • Documentation & Quality Support: Create and maintain clear, traceable test documentation, engineering records, and verification protocols in support of QMS and regulated product development processes.
  • Crossโ€‘Functional Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support fastโ€‘paced R&D projects, improve prototype designs and test methods, and adapt to evolving development priorities.
What Weโ€™re Looking For:
  • Missionโ€‘Driven: Passionate about helping eradicate depression through breakthrough neurotechnology.
  • Driven & Adaptable: Highly motivated, coachable, and thrives in fastโ€‘paced startup environments with evolving priorities.
  • Technical Background: Working SolidWorks and mechanical design competency, including the ability to open, review, and modify parts/assemblies, interpret 2D drawings, support tolerance updates, and create or modify basic fixture/prototype designs. Background in biomedical, mechanical, mechatronics, electrical, robotics, product development, or a related field. Basic soldering experience and comfort working with hardware components are a plus. Roughly 3 years of handsโ€‘on mechanical/hardware experience preferred.
  • Handsโ€‘On Problem Solver: Strong troubleshooting, prototyping, and hardware testing skills with attention to detail.
  • Comfortable with Repetition: Excited to spend the large majority of time on handsโ€‘on, repetitive testing and validation work downstream of design, not just design/creation work.
  • Documentation & Quality: Able to maintain structured technical documentation and support testing, verification, and QMSโ€‘related processes.
Why Join Ampa?
  • Impact: Use handsโ€‘on hardware engineering to transform mental health on the planet.
  • Growth: Thrive in a startup environment with rapid innovation.
  • Stability: Enjoy startup benefits with a secure product line.
  • Ownership: Receive substantial equity as an early team member.
  • Growth Path: This role has a clear runway to grow into a more senior mechanical engineering or R&D lab lead position as you build tenure and take on more ownership.
Logistics:
  • Work Mode: Onsite
  • Compensation: $75k-$90k base salary + equity
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