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Prototype Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Karman Space & Defense

Prototype Machinist

Mukilteo, WA · On-site

$39 - $48/hr

SUMMARY The Protoshop Machinist is responsible for end-to-end fabrication of prototypes and models, including programming, set-up, machining, and hands-on problem solving. This role requires ...

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Marks, an sgsco company

Prototype Technician

Butler, PA · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

The Prototype Technician builds prototypes for clients based on direction provided by engineering. The purpose of these prototypes is to validate to form, fit and function of the industrial design ...

JURMAN METRICS INC

Prototype Machinist

Monroe, CT

$20/hr

The ideal candidate will be capable of single piece jobs, small run prototype and secondary operation production. Experience in turning, milling, blue print comprehension and inspection equipment is ...

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Schawk USA LLC

Prototype Technician

Butler, PA · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

The Prototype Technician builds prototypes for clients based on direction provided by engineering. The purpose of these prototypes is to validate to form, fit and function of the industrial design ...

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sgsco

Prototype Technician

Butler, PA · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

The Prototype Technician builds prototypes for clients based on direction provided by engineering. The purpose of these prototypes is to validate to form, fit and function of the industrial design ...

JURMAN METRICS INC

Prototype Machinist

Monroe, CT

$20/hr

The ideal candidate will be capable of single piece jobs, small run prototype and secondary operation production. Experience in turning, milling, blue print comprehension and inspection equipment is ...

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Brightwing

Prototype Build Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI

$35 - $38/hr

The Prototype Build Engineer will be responsible for managing all prototype build activities including developing and communicating build plans based on vehicle specifications, coordinating ...

Knowmadics, Inc

Rapid Prototype Engineer II

Wichita, KS · On-site

$32 - $35.75/hr

Lawton OK; or Round Rock, TX Job Purpose/Summary This role is for a Rapid Prototype Engineer II to design, fabricate, assemble, and validate hardware prototypes supporting research and development ...

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Actalent

Prototype Technician

Aurora, CO

Prototype Technician This contract role supports increased production of additively manufactured aerospace engine components by performing high-precision, hands-on post-processing, inspection, sub ...

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Micro Matic USA

Prototype Technician

Brooksville, FL · On-site

Assists with the manufacturing of Prototype Assemblies of new products or new revision of existing products. The primary goals will be high quality/craftsmanship and keeping to the assigned schedule ...

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All JobsPrototype Jobs

Prototype information

See salary details

$15

$26

$50

How much do prototype jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype 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 are 5 careers in manufacturing?

Careers in manufacturing include roles such as production supervisor, quality control inspector, maintenance technician, manufacturing engineer, and assembly line worker. These positions often require knowledge of machinery, safety protocols, and sometimes certifications or technical training. They are typically based in factory or plant environments and may involve shift work.

What are prototypes?

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 jobs make $500,000 a year?

In the field of prototypes, senior engineering roles such as Lead Prototype Engineer or R&D Director can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in large companies or specialized industries like aerospace or biotech. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and often involve leadership responsibilities and high-level project management. Compensation at this level may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options.

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 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 jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

High-level executive roles such as CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives in large corporations can earn over $1 million annually through salaries, bonuses, and stock options. Additionally, successful entrepreneurs, top-tier investment bankers, and certain professional athletes or entertainers may reach this income level, often requiring extensive experience, skills, and a strong network.

What is a career prototype?

A career prototype is a preliminary model or simulation of a product or system used by a prototype job to test skills, problem-solving, and technical abilities in a real-world environment. In a job context, it often involves creating or working on early versions of designs, products, or processes to gather feedback and improve before final production. Skills such as technical proficiency, creativity, and collaboration are typically important in this role.
More about Prototype jobs
What cities are hiring for Prototype jobs? Cities with the most Prototype job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype jobs? The most popular types of Prototype jobs are:
What states have the most Prototype jobs? States with the most job openings for Prototype jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Prototype jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype jobs are:
Prototype jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,312 per year, or $26.1 per hour.
Prototype Technician / Fabricator

Prototype Technician / Fabricator

Terraline

Fremont, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

Who we are:
Terraline is creating the only clean-sheet, battery-electric heavy truck that is designed for any human or autonomous driver, and is capable of exceeding 500 miles of range. The Terraline team has decades of experience in the autonomous and electric vehicle industries, most notably the Tesla and Waymo Class 8 trucks. You will be working with a highly cross-functional team of systems, software, hardware and vehicle engineers, as well as an incredibly talented team of designers, technicians, and a wide range of other professionals.
Position: Prototype Technician / Fabricator
FLSA Classification: Hourly
Reports to: Engineering Lead
Supervisory responsibilities: None

Job description:
As a Prototype Technician / Fabricator at Terraline, you will be responsible for building and delivering physical and functional systems or prototypes, that could range from small mechanical assemblies to showcase or test local functions to next generation powertrains and full vehicle builds. In this role you will support prototyping activities across all engineering disciplines and products at Terraline. As the team grows, you may be designated as a subject matter expert and will be asked to provide guidance to junior team members. The ideal candidate works well within a diverse team while also being able to operate independently and deliver projects on time and to specification. This candidate is able to solve complex problems by working up from the fundamentals to develop the best solution, regardless of what others are doing or have done. We can't change the world by doing it the way everyone else has done it! Finally, you will need to be able to effectively communicate with our co-workers and partners in both technical and non-technical capacities.

Job Requirements - Essential Skills:
Experience and proven track record in building large and complex prototypes e.g. vehicles, airplanes, ships, eVTOLs
Experience with electric powertrains and propulsion systems
Ability to convert ideas and sketches into working prototypes, big or small/one or many
Wide range of expertise in electrical and mechanical fabrication
Strong understanding of priorities, delivery timelines and how to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Comfortable with working in a fast paced and ambiguous environment
Ability to debug and troubleshoot issues with prototypes or test equipment
Work and communicate cross functionally to understand the problem space, to document the intended objectives and to provide status updates 
Familiarity with generic safety procedures and how to involved equipment safely
Maintain and manage shop and prototype equipment in a neat and orderly fashion
At Terraline we celebrate a hands-on and flexible work philosophy, which we think is required to be necessary for our success. This implies that you might be asked to perform in different functions from time to time to ensure the team achieves the defined goals

Desired Skills:
Managed suppliers for larger prototyping projects
Recent Automotive or Trucking experience
Experience in supporting test campaigns; local and in the field
Willing to work flexible hours and passionate about getting jobs done

Qualifications:
Highschool Diploma; AS preferred
Excellent communication and written skills.
Technical certification from accredited automotive training institution preferred
5+ years of professional work experience as a Fabricator/Technician in the mentioned fields above
Commercial driver license is a plus

What we offer you:
High-quality individual and family medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer contribution
Competitive compensation packages
Employer-paid group term life insurance
Employer-paid Short-term and Long-term disability insurances
401(k) with company match
Paid vacation
Holidays following the Federal Holiday Schedule

Physical demands:
We are all hands on deck at Terraline in our efforts to create exciting change within the trucking world. The ideal candidate will be both adventurous and versatile. Daily activities could range from a full day of designing components at your desk, to full days working in the shop building out huge Class 8 trucks, and everything in between. Each day will be an adventure and you should feel comfortable handling moderately sized components within your daily routine.

Travel required:
Subject to periodic travel requirements. Company-related travel expenses reimbursed per the company's Travel and Expense Reimbursement policy.

Other duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Terraline Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Terraline Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let the recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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