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Prototype Tech Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

McMaster-Carr

IT Audit Project Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $259K/yr

... prototype the next generation of innovative solutions. We earn and keep that trust by offering the ... What You'll Do As a member of the IT Audit team, you'll work closely with teams across our ...

United Airlines, Inc.

Senior Developer - IT

Chicago, IL · On-site

$56.25 - $74.25/hr

Collaborate with end user to prototype, refine, test, and debug programs to meet needs ... technologies (Lambda, Step Functions, CloudWatch, CloudFront, Cognito, route53, Dynamo DB, ECS, EC2 ...

United Airlines

Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$153K/yr

Design, prototype, test, and define support procedures and implement practical business solutions ... Programming Languages and Web Technologies; Development Frameworks and Tools; Databases; Data ...

Crain

Product Manager, Subscription Systems

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$115K - $130K/yr

... build prototypes, and improve team effectiveness. The ideal candidate has experience building and optimizing subscription platforms, checkout experiences, and paywall technologies. They are ...

Supernova Technology

Business Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Design product prototypes based on product requirements and present to clients * Document business and technology requirements / solutions in standard artifacts * Conduct platform configurations ...

Solina

Food Technologist

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

... POSITION The Technologist will lead projects and document results as well as the research of ... Performs pilot plant tests to generate product prototypes, documents, organizes product reviews ...

Dellfor Technologies

ios/ android developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K/yr

Company Description Dellfor Technologies is founded by software professionals with fresh approach ... Support the team in prototyping or internal testing efforts. Test and debug mobile apps using both ...

Solina

Food Technologist

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

... POSITION The Technologist will lead projects and document results as well as the research of ... Performs pilot plant tests to generate product prototypes, documents, organizes product reviews ...

Huntington

Principal Innovation Engineer

Chicago, IL

$102K - $208K/yr

Lead the design and delivery of high-impact innovation solutions aligned with the organization's business goals and technology trends in financial services * Architect and build end-to-end prototypes ...

Huntington

Principal Innovation Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$102K - $208K/yr

Lead the design and delivery of high-impact innovation solutions aligned with the organization's business goals and technology trends in financial services * Architect and build end-to-end prototypes ...

Huntington

Principal Innovation Engineer

Chicago, IL

Lead the design and delivery of high-impact innovation solutions aligned with the organization's business goals and technology trends in financial services * Architect and build end-to-end prototypes ...

Huntington

Principal Innovation Engineer

Rosemont, IL

$102K - $208K/yr

Lead the design and delivery of high-impact innovation solutions aligned with the organization's business goals and technology trends in financial services * Architect and build end-to-end prototypes ...

JLL

Staff Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

Forward Deployed Engineer Capital Markets Technology JLL About JLL Our people at JLL are shaping ... You will be expected to go from concept to working prototype in days, not months, while maintaining ...

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All JobsPrototype Tech JobsPrototype Tech Jobs in Chicago, IL

Prototype Tech information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$15

$26

$51

How much do prototype tech jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype tech in Chicago, IL is $26.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.82 and $28.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Prototype Tech, you need strong mechanical aptitude, experience with fabrication processes, and a background in engineering technology or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, CNC machines, 3D printers, and related prototyping tools is typically required, and certifications in manufacturing or machining are advantageous. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help you excel in building and refining prototypes. These competencies ensure accurate, efficient prototype development and successful collaboration with engineering teams.

What are some typical challenges a prototype tech may face when transitioning from design concepts to physical prototypes?

Prototype Techs often encounter challenges when translating digital designs into tangible prototypes, such as interpreting incomplete specifications, sourcing appropriate materials quickly, and troubleshooting unexpected technical issues during fabrication. The role requires adaptability and strong problem-solving skills to iterate and refine prototypes efficiently, often under tight deadlines. Effective communication with engineers and designers is essential to clarify requirements and ensure the final prototype meets functional expectations.

What is the difference between Prototype Tech vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectPrototype Tech
CredentialsTypically requires technical certifications, associate degrees, or relevant technical training
Work EnvironmentHands-on, lab or workshop settings focused on building and testing prototypes
Industry UsageCommonly employed in manufacturing, product development, and R&D teams
Primary FocusCreating, assembling, and testing prototypes based on design specifications

Mechanical Engineers often hold a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, focus on design, analysis, and overseeing manufacturing processes. While Prototype Techs focus on hands-on prototype creation and testing, Mechanical Engineers are involved in the broader design and engineering process. Both roles are essential in product development but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

What does a prototype tech do?

A Prototype Tech, short for Prototype Technician, is responsible for building, testing, and refining prototypes of new products or components. They work closely with engineers and designers to turn concepts into physical models, using various tools, materials, and fabrication techniques. Their work often involves troubleshooting, making modifications, documenting processes, and ensuring that prototypes meet design and safety standards. Prototype Techs play a crucial role in product development by helping identify potential issues before full-scale production.
What are popular job titles related to Prototype Tech jobs in Chicago, IL? For Prototype Tech jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Tech jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Tech jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Prototype Tech jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype Tech job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 11% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,949 per year, or $26.9 per hour.

IT Audit Project Lead

McMaster-Carr

Chicago, IL • On-site

$200K - $259K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

McMaster-Carr rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 410 rated retail wholesalers

Job description

Who We Are
McMaster-Carr is a leading e-commerce company that industrial customers have trusted for over 120 years. Our products help them get manufacturing lines back up quickly, keep operations running smoothly, and prototype the next generation of innovative solutions. We earn and keep that trust by offering the right products, making them easy to find, and delivering them fast, so customers can solve problems with greater speed, precision, and ease.
Our industry-leading e-commerce experience, indispensable product selection, and world-class service bring hundreds of thousands of customers to mcmaster.com each day. But we're never standing still. Curious, exceptional people are at the heart of our evolution. They turn new challenges and disruptive technologies into opportunities to refine our operations, expand our offering, and deliver a better experience for every customer.
What You'll Do
As a member of the IT Audit team, you'll work closely with teams across our Technology organization to learn about our custom systems and assess McMaster-Carr's IT security controls. Our internal audit team brings creativity and critical thinking to each project while building strong relationships with technology leaders. While we use leading enterprise security tools, the vast majority of the systems that run our business are custom-built and continuously evolving-requiring auditors to apply security principles and professional judgment rather than relying on standardized, checklist-based assessments. Because of this bespoke environment, assessing controls requires a strong foundation in security principles and the curiosity to learn about and assess the company's practices for meeting its security goals.
As an integral member of our internal audit team, you'll play a key role in high-impact work.
  • Conduct audits independently from planning through reporting. Communicate findings and recommendations clearly and focus on helping teams strengthen security and operations. You'll serve as a risk and controls expert, partnering with Technology leaders to assess the effectiveness of IT security controls that protect the business.
  • Build trusted partnerships with technology leaders. While you'll gain exposure to many different teams, you'll frequently work with members of the security, mainframe, and infrastructure teams. By gaining and demonstrating an understanding of their systems and tools, you'll develop trust with the subject matter experts and enable collaboration that makes deep audit work possible.
  • Develop deep knowledge of McMaster-Carr's custom-built systems. From McMaster.com to payment processing to internal infrastructure, you'll devise practical test plans to assess how controls protect the business. You'll work directly with subject matter experts to understand which servers handle sensitive data, how access is controlled, and how encryption is applied at each stage.
  • Use critical thinking in the application of security frameworks to our technology environment. Whether assessing our security controls holistically or completing the PCI assessment of credit card data flows, we carefully consider our internal context and the intended security goal of the relevant framework to determine whether our processes align with the framework's guidance.
  • Help shape a growing IT audit function by influencing audit topics, following curiosity into new areas, and connecting insights across engagements.

Who You Are
We are seeking bright, curious, and ambitious individuals eager to make an impact. Ideal candidates have:
  • 5+ years of relevant work experience, including at least 3 years in an audit role, with recent experience auditing security controls
  • A 4-year degree
  • A certification in audit or cybersecurity
  • Experience assessing security controls, with working knowledge of topics such as firewalls and network segmentation, incident response management, security configurations, logging and monitoring, backup and recovery practices, and user access management
  • The ability to engage quickly with unfamiliar technology environments, ask astute questions, and apply audit judgment in settings without rigid policies or standard playbooks
  • Exceptional communication and analytical skills--able to synthesize technical concepts, explain risk clearly, and connect ideas across different audits and systems

Benefits
Cash Compensation
Total cash compensation generally ranges from $200,000 - $259,000 and includes profit sharing based on company performance.
Growth & Learning
  • 100% tuition reimbursement
  • Informal and formal mentorship
  • Employee resource groups

Health & Wellbeing
  • Medical, dental, pharmacy, and vision plans with no monthly premiums
  • Inclusive, all-gender benefits

Family & Future
  • Paid parental leave for all new parents
  • Adoption and surrogacy assistance
  • First-time home buyer assistance
  • Industry-leading company-funded retirement accounts

Time Off
  • Paid vacation and personal time

Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees a workplace with reasonable accommodations and free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. At McMaster-Carr, we do not make employment decisions based on age, ethnicity, citizenship status, military status, gender identity and expression, race, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected group.
This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship by McMaster-Carr.
Data We Collect
We may collect professional, education and employment-related data, and any assessments made throughout the recruiting process, to evaluate candidacy for employment. To communicate with job applicants, we may collect applicant names, contact information, and other personal identifiers, including those outlined in the California customer records statute. Through voluntary disclosure, we may also collect protected classifications under federal or California law (e.g., race, gender, etc.). For additional details about the personal information we collect and its uses, please click here.

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