1

Prototyping Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

The right candidate is a builder at heart-someone who explores new frameworks, prototypes ideas ... Advise on AI engineering considerations such as latency, reliability, observability, testability ...

AI Engineer - SME

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$206K - $221K/yr

The right candidate is a builder at heart-someone who explores new frameworks, prototypes ideas ... Advise on AI engineering considerations such as latency, reliability, observability, testability ...

AI Engineer - SETA

Columbia, MD · On-site +1

$240K - $280K/yr

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel ... The right candidate is a builder at heart--someone who explores new frameworks, prototypes ideas ...

AI Engineer - SME

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$206K - $221K/yr

The right candidate is a builder at heart-someone who explores new frameworks, prototypes ideas ... Advise on AI engineering considerations such as latency, reliability, observability, testability ...

... prototyping, integration, and evaluation. • Assess solutions involving LLMs, retrieval-augmented ... on AI engineering considerations such as latency, reliability, observability, testability ...

... prototyping, integration, and evaluation. • Assess solutions involving LLMs, retrieval-augmented ... on AI engineering considerations such as latency, reliability, observability, testability ...

We work across design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, quality, and production readiness to move critical products from concept to fielded reality. We are recruiting prototype machinists who ...

AI Engineer - SETA

Columbia, MD · On-site

$240K - $280K/yr

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel ... The right candidate is a builder at heart-someone who explores new frameworks, prototypes ideas ...

Prototype Machinist

Sterling, VA · On-site

$30 - $45/hr

We work across design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, quality, and production readiness to move critical products from concept to fielded reality. We are recruiting prototype machinists who ...

AI Engineer

Hanover, MD

$118K - $263K/yr

The right candidate is a builder at heart-someone who explores new frameworks, prototypes ideas ... Advise on AI engineering considerations such as latency, reliability, observability, testability ...

DevOps Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$54 - $74/hr

Identifies, prototypes, engineers, and deploys emerging software engineering and DevOps tools into existing baseline. Operates and supports a suite of enterprise DevOps services. Establishes, manages ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Prototyping Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$33.3K

$118.3K

$169.1K

How much do prototyping engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for prototyping engineer in Washington, DC is $118,282.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,798.00 and $146,555.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical day look like for a Prototyping Engineer?

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 job?

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 in the Prototyping Engineer position, and why are they important?

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 Washington, DC? The most popular types of Prototyping Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Prototyping Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,282 per year, or $56.9 per hour.
BME/ME research and prototyping engineer (co-op)

BME/ME research and prototyping engineer (co-op)

Current Surgical Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

About Current Surgical Inc.

Current Surgical is a startup company developing technology on the frontier of engineering and biology. Our first product is a smart microinvasive needle that precisely destroys tumors without damaging healthy tissue, allowing doctors to treat cancers that are untreatable today.

Our technology is backed by the National Science Foundation, and the company is funded by top tier venture capital firms interested in dramatically improving the accuracy and accessibility of surgery.

About you

We are looking for a mechanical engineer or biomedical engineer (with a mechanical engineering focus) who is excited to develop technology at the forefront of medical devices and precision surgery. You will work directly with the co-founders to design, develop, and test our clinical prototype. This is a difficult hands-on engineering challenge that integrates precision mechanics, novel electronics, microfluidics, and ultrasound physics.

The ideal candidate is someone who is a ‘maker’ at heart, interested in working at a startup, and eager to challenge their technical development. This is a unique opportunity, as one of the first employees, you will have the opportunity to work across many areas of a hardtech biomedical startup, including helping to design preclinical studies and interfacing with clinicians. We are expecting you to be a core team member supporting mechanical development, which at this stage requires design, hands-on development, and experimental oversight and execution.

Educational background

  • BS, MS, or PhD candidates in mechanical or biomedical engineering or closely related fields (e.g. mechatronics, robotics).

  • Ideal BS candidates are juniors or seniors with experience in a research lab and/or prior internships. Ideal MS candidates have prior research and/or internship experience. Ideal PhD candidates are those interested in learning more about R&D roles in industry and enjoy developing experimental techniques.

  • Position requires a minimum of a 6 month commitment (an academic semester and summer).

Desired skills

  • Basic experience with a range of fabrication approaches and their tradeoffs, with different materials (metal, polymers, ceramics, etc.)

  • Experience with CAD tools (e.g., Solidworks, Fusion 360) and ability to design complex mechanical parts and assemblies

  • Interest in biomedical research and conducting benchtop experiments that may include ex vivo tissue

  • Elementary data analysis experience with Matlab and/or Python

  • General knowledge of medical imaging is a plus