ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Prototype Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Physical Intelligence

Prototype Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$42 - $47.25/hr

We're looking for a Prototype Engineer, an engineering generalist who sits at the intersection of enabling research and deloying into real-world applications. You'll work closely with our research ...

Physical Intelligence

Prototype Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Build end-to-end prototype systems: from concept sketches through CAD, fabrication, wiring, sensor integration, and validation. * Design and iterate on fixtures, jigs, test rigs, and custom tooling ...

Protingent

Prototype Build Technician

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Prototype Build Technician Position Description : Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct hire Prototype Build Technician opportunity with our client located in San Francisco, CA. * In this hands ...

Droyd Robotics

Prototype Team Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

The prototype team at Droyd supports both R&D and production. The work ranges from one-off parts and fixtures to repeatable components that keep engineering moving. About the role As the Prototype ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrototype JobsPrototype Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Prototype information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$18

$31

$61

How much do prototype jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype in Berkeley, CA is $31.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.71 and $33.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prototype?

Prototypes are early models or samples of a product built to test a concept or process. They allow designers, engineers, and stakeholders to explore ideas, evaluate functionality, and identify potential issues before full-scale production begins. Prototypes can range from simple sketches or mockups to fully functional models, depending on the stage of development and the goals of the project. Creating a prototype helps teams gather feedback, refine designs, and make informed decisions for the final product.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in prototype development roles?

Professionals in prototype development often encounter challenges such as tight project deadlines, evolving design requirements, and the need to rapidly iterate based on stakeholder feedback. Collaboration between engineers, designers, and product managers is crucial, as prototypes frequently require interdisciplinary input and quick problem-solving. Additionally, balancing innovation with practicality—ensuring the prototype is both creative and feasible for further development—can be demanding but is highly rewarding for those who enjoy dynamic, hands-on work environments.

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 strong skills in mechanical design, fabrication techniques, and a relevant engineering degree or technical certification. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printing, CNC machinery, and rapid prototyping tools is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this position. These skills are crucial for efficiently turning design concepts into functional prototypes that drive product innovation.

What is the difference between Prototype vs Product Designer?

AspectPrototype
RoleCreates interactive models to test concepts and functionality
SkillsUI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping tools, user testing
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, product development, user experience departments
CertificationsDesign certifications, UX certifications, proficiency in prototyping tools

While a Prototype focuses on building interactive models to test ideas, a Product Designer oversees the entire product development process, including user experience, visual design, and functionality. Prototypes are tools used within the product design process, making the roles complementary but distinct.

What job categories do people searching Prototype jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Prototype jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Prototype jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Prototype job openings:

Prototype jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,502 per year, or $32 per hour.

Prototype Engineer

Physical Intelligence

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$42 - $47.25/hr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Physical Intelligence is bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world. We are a group of engineers, scientists, roboticists, and company builders developing foundation models and learning algorithms to power the robots of today and the physically-actuated devices of the future.
We're looking for a Prototype Engineer, an engineering generalist who sits at the intersection of enabling research and deloying into real-world applications. You'll work closely with our research and engineering teams to rapidly design, build, and iterate on concept mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes that push the boundaries of what our robots can do.
This role is uniquely positioned between R&D and hardware engineering. You'll translate research ideas into physical systems, build end-to-end prototypes from scratch, and ensure our hardware performs reliably when interacting with real-world objects. You're the person both the hardware team and researchers come to when they need something built and rapidly iterated on. When successful, you'll be responsible for turning these into scalable solutions that support multiple hardware platforms in our fleet.
In this role you will
  • Rapidly design and fabricate mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes to support research experiments and engineering development.
  • Partner directly with researchers to understand experimental requirements and translate them into buildable hardware systems.
  • Build end-to-end prototype systems: from concept sketches through CAD, fabrication, wiring, sensor integration, and validation.
  • Develop quick-turn PCBs, wiring harnesses, and cable assemblies for prototype electronics.
  • Evaluate and select sensors, actuators, and off-the-shelf components for integration into prototype systems.
  • Design and iterate on fixtures, jigs, test rigs, and custom tooling to enable research workflows.
  • Perform hands-on assembly, troubleshooting, and debugging of electromechanical and robotic systems.
  • Collaborate with electrical and robot software engineers to integrate hardware with control systems, firmware, and runtime software.
  • Identify and address failure modes specific to hardware operating in unstructured, real-world environments (contact forces, wear, thermal effects, cable management, etc.).
  • Document designs, test results, and build procedures to support knowledge transfer and design iteration.

What we hope you'll bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
  • 2-5 years of experience in prototyping, R&D engineering, or hardware development, ideally preferably in robotics, automotive, consumer electronics, or research lab environments.
  • Proficiency in CAD software (Onshape, SolidWorks, or Fusion 360) with strong 3D modeling and drafting skills.
  • Working knowledge of PCB design, electronics and comfortable soldering, wiring, reading schematics, and integrating sensors (force/torque, IMUs, cameras, encoders, etc.).
  • Hands-on expertise with rapid prototyping methods: 3D printing (FDM/SLA), laser cutting, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and manual machining.
  • Familiarity with the robotics domain, with an understanding of kinematics, actuation, compliant mechanisms, and the challenges of hardware interacting with unstructured real-world environments.
  • Ability to build full first-pass systems end-to-end, from mechanical structure through electrical integration to basic software scripting.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to speak the language of both researchers and engineers. Translating abstract research needs or engineering requests into tangible concepts.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where requirements evolve quickly and scrappiness is valued.
  • Experience with basic scripting (Python) for test automation, data collection, or hardware interfacing is a plus.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Apply