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Prototyping Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Neros Technologies

Prototype Shop Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership ... What you will be doing As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day-to-day ...

Neros Technologies

Prototype Shop Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership ... What you will be doing As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day-to-day ...

Apple

Sr. Prototyping Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

We are seeking a versatile Sr. Prototyping Software Engineer with end-to-end expertise to accelerate the exploration of new home product concepts. In this role, you will be responsible for the entire ...

Apple

Sr. Prototyping Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

We are seeking a versatile Sr. Prototyping Software Engineer with end-to-end expertise to accelerate the exploration of new home product concepts. In this role, you will be responsible for the entire ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

San Jose, CA

$42 - $47/hr

Candidates will collaborate with multi-disciplined design teams across multiple projects to bring design concepts to fruition, providing rapid engineering, fabrication, and prototyping solutions ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner II

San Diego, CA

$38 - $42.50/hr

Candidates will collaborate with multi-disciplined design teams across multiple projects to bring design concepts to fruition, providing rapid engineering, fabrication, and prototyping solutions ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

San Diego, CA

$38 - $42.50/hr

Candidates will collaborate with multi-disciplined design teams across multiple projects to bring design concepts to fruition, providing rapid engineering, fabrication, and prototyping solutions ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner II

Los Angeles, CA

$38.50 - $43/hr

Candidates will collaborate with multi-disciplined design teams across multiple projects to bring design concepts to fruition, providing rapid engineering, fabrication, and prototyping solutions ...

Raytheon

Prototype Engineering Planner I

Los Angeles, CA

$38.50 - $43/hr

Candidates will collaborate with multi-disciplined design teams across multiple projects to bring design concepts to fruition, providing rapid engineering, fabrication, and prototyping solutions ...

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Prototyping Engineer information

What does a prototyping engineer do?

A typical day for a Prototyping Engineer often involves collaborating with design and development teams to translate concepts and sketches into working physical models. You may spend time using CAD software, operating fabrication equipment like 3D printers, and assembling or testing prototypes for functionality. Troubleshooting issues and iterating designs based on test results are frequent tasks. This role requires consistent teamwork with engineers, designers, and sometimes clients to ensure the prototyping process aligns with overall project goals.

What is a prototyping engineer?

A Prototyping Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing prototypes of new products or components. They work with design teams to refine concepts, select materials, and ensure that prototypes meet functional and performance requirements. This role involves using various fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and electronics assembly. Prototyping Engineers collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and quality teams to iterate and improve designs before full-scale production. Their goal is to validate ideas quickly and efficiently, reducing development time and costs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prototyping engineer?

To thrive as a Prototyping Engineer, you need strong skills in mechanical or electrical engineering, rapid prototyping, and CAD design, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Knowledge of 3D printing, CNC machining, and prototyping software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD) is typically essential, along with familiarity with relevant safety standards. Creative problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities enable engineers to quickly turn ideas into functional prototypes, ensuring efficient product development and iterative testing.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prototyping Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Prototyping Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Prototyping Engineer jobs in California? For Prototyping Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototyping Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Prototyping Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Prototyping Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Prototyping Engineer job openings:
Prototyping Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototyping Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Prototype Shop Manager

Neros Technologies

Torrance, CA • On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 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.

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