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Prototyping Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Pendo

Staff Product Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Prototyping and validation: Build interactive prototypes using code-adjacent tools and validate them with real users before engineering investment. Use findings to sharpen flows, surface edge cases ...

Mondo

AI Engineer

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$130K - $160K/yr

Build prototypes, proofs of concept, and AI-enabled solutions * Develop backend services, APIs, and integrations using Elixir * Work with SQL databases and enterprise data systems * Support data ...

Mondo

AI Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site +1

$130K - $160K/yr

Build prototypes, proofs of concept, and AI-enabled solutions * Develop backend services, APIs, and integrations using Elixir * Work with SQL databases and enterprise data systems * Support data ...

Compunnel

Full Stack Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

This role involves building prototypes, evaluating tools, and delivering solutions that enhance software development, testing, and delivery processes. This is a one-year contract position. Key ...

First Citizens Bank

AI Portfolio Manager

Raleigh, NC

Rapid Prototyping and Demo Development Quickly build proof-of-concept demos and prototypes to validate approaches and drive stakeholder alignment before committing to a full build. Solution Delivery ...

Deutsche Bank

AI Engineering Lead - Vice President

Cary, NC · On-site

$125K - $185K/yr

Own end-to-end delivery from prototype and controlled rollout through scale and steady-state operations * Drive consistent adoption and standardization of engineering practices (patterns, templates ...

SMT INC

Mechanical Design Engineer II

Raleigh, NC

$65K - $88K/yr

Support prototype fabrication, testing, validation, and troubleshooting activities. Drive design for manufacturability (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), and cost-reduction initiatives. Investigate ...

First Citizens Bank

AI Portfolio Manager

Raleigh, NC

Rapid Prototyping and Demo Development Quickly build proof-of-concept demos and prototypes to validate approaches and drive stakeholder alignment before committing to a full build. Solution Delivery ...

US Radiology Specialists

AI Solutions Architect

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$61.25 - $80.75/hr

Independently design, prototype, and implement AI-enabled solutions, particularly for LLM-driven and workflow-based use cases * Rapidly develop MVPs and proof-of-concepts to validate solution ...

DomainTools

Senior Distributed Systems Engineer

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$101K - $139K/yr

A Sr. DSE is an experienced technologist adept at systems design, prototyping / proof of concept development, and developing and deploying production quality systems and code. As a Sr. DSE, you will ...

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All JobsPrototyping JobsPrototyping Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Prototyping information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$14

$26

$40

How much do prototyping jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototyping in Raleigh, NC is $26.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.58 and $30.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is prototyping?

Prototyping is the process of creating an early sample, model, or release of a product to test and validate ideas before full-scale production or development. It allows designers, engineers, and stakeholders to explore concepts, identify potential issues, and gather user feedback in the early stages of a project. Prototypes can range from simple paper sketches to interactive digital models or functional physical items, depending on the project's needs. This iterative approach helps save time and resources by uncovering improvements and reducing risks before committing to final designs.

What is the difference between Prototyping vs UX Designer?

AspectPrototypingUX Designer
Primary FocusCreating interactive models of products or featuresResearching, designing, and improving user experiences
Skills & ToolsPrototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD), UI designUser research, wireframing, usability testing
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, product developmentDesign teams, user research teams
CredentialsDesign background, proficiency in prototyping toolsDesign or psychology background, UX certifications

Prototyping involves creating interactive models to test ideas, while UX Design encompasses the broader process of understanding user needs and designing overall user experiences. Both roles often collaborate but focus on different stages of product development.

What jobs make $10,000 a month without a degree?

Prototyping roles in industries like software development, product design, or engineering can sometimes pay $10,000 or more monthly, especially for experienced professionals or freelancers with specialized skills in CAD, 3D modeling, or UX/UI design. High-paying opportunities often require strong portfolios, technical proficiency, and industry experience rather than formal degrees.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of prototyping, high-paying roles such as senior product designers, lead engineers, or executive positions in technology companies can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and often involve leadership responsibilities or specialized expertise in areas like hardware or software development.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

In the field of prototyping, highly experienced product designers, lead engineers, or entrepreneurs involved in successful startups can earn over $1 million annually through salaries, bonuses, and equity. Such roles often require advanced skills, extensive industry experience, and involvement in high-growth or innovative projects.

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

To thrive as a Prototyping Specialist, you need a solid background in design principles, engineering fundamentals, and hands-on fabrication, often supported by a degree in industrial design or engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printing technology, CNC machines, and rapid prototyping tools is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication distinguish standout professionals in this role. These skills are crucial for efficiently translating ideas into tangible models, iterating designs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams in product development.

What are some common challenges faced in a prototyping role, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in prototyping often encounter challenges such as rapidly iterating ideas within tight deadlines, balancing functionality with available resources, and effectively communicating design intent to cross-functional teams. To overcome these, it's helpful to prioritize clear documentation, maintain open communication with engineers and designers, and use agile methodologies to adapt quickly to feedback. Embracing a collaborative mindset and being comfortable with ambiguity are key to navigating the dynamic nature of prototyping work.

What is a prototype job?

A prototype job involves creating early models or samples of products, designs, or systems to test concepts and functionality. Professionals in this role often use tools like CAD software or 3D printers and work closely with designers and engineers to refine ideas before mass production.
What are popular job titles related to Prototyping jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Prototyping jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototyping jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Prototyping jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
Prototyping jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototyping job openings in Raleigh, NC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,304 per year, or $26.1 per hour.
Staff Product Designer

Staff Product Designer

Pendo

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

The Team + The Role
The Product Design team at Pendo works closely with senior product leaders and sits at the center of product strategy and delivery. The team operates close to both the problem and the build, using LLM-assisted exploration, code-level prototyping, and customer validation before work moves into Figma for systems and polish. Designers ship across a multi-app platform with a high bar for craft, reliability, and product impact.
As a Staff Product Designer, you will lead design across the platform and move toward the highest-impact work. You will own projects end-to-end, from problem framing through shipping, partnering with product and engineering to make sophisticated experiences feel simple. AI-assisted workflows are part of how this team works every day, and this role is expected to use, improve, and share those workflows.
This role is based in our Raleigh office.
What this looks like day-to-day
  • Platform design leadership: Lead design across multiple product areas and own projects from problem framing through shipping. Partner with product and engineering to reduce complexity without losing capability, starting from customer need rather than feature requests.
  • Prototyping and validation: Build interactive prototypes using code-adjacent tools and validate them with real users before engineering investment. Use findings to sharpen flows, surface edge cases, and improve the work before full systemization.
  • AI-integrated workflow: Use AI tools actively across the design process, including LLMs for problem framing and brief development, Cursor and Claude for prototyping, and generative tools for faster interface exploration. Document and share prompts, patterns, and workflows with design and engineering partners.
  • Design systems: Translate and evolve Pendo's design principles into reusable components and patterns. Identify when to extend existing systems and when to push them forward, then drive those decisions with stakeholders.
  • Cross-functional alignment: Influence technical and product requirements upstream and communicate design rationale clearly with executive audiences. Surface issues before they become blockers and make the design case with data, principles, and demonstrated craft.
  • Team elevation: Give feedback to other designers that is direct, principled, and growth-oriented. Share AI-native workflows, documented prompts, and repeatable patterns that improve the output of designers and engineers around you.
Who You Are
Beyond the qualifications, we hire through a specific lens. These aren't buzzwords; they're the things we'll actually look for in how you talk about your work.
You're a builder, not a maintainer.
You're most energized when there isn't a clear path yet, and you get to define it. You don't wait for direction; you identify gaps, shape solutions, and drive them forward. At Pendo, great Staff Product Designers don't just follow instructions; they operate as strategic advisors, influencing decisions, guiding stakeholders, and elevating how we work.
You're AI-curious - genuinely.
You're not using AI tools occasionally. You're rewiring how you work around them. You're faster, sharper, and more prolific because of it, and you bring that energy to everything - how you approach your work, how you prep, how you communicate, how you think. We want someone who sees AI as a multiplier, not a shortcut.
Must-haves
  • 5 or more years of product design experience across enterprise B2B SaaS, with demonstrated ownership across multiple surface areas or product lines at the same time.
  • A portfolio that shows measurable business outcomes, strong visual craft, and a clear point of view on simplifying complex systems. The work should be strong enough to stand on its own without a verbal overlay.
  • Proven ability to prototype in code or work close enough to front-end development to validate ideas without waiting for engineering. Comfort with tools such as Cursor, v0, Replit, or equivalent tools is expected.
  • Active use of AI tools in daily design workflows, including LLMs for framing and brief development, generative tools for exploration, and AI-assisted prototyping for iteration.
  • A track record of influencing product and engineering requirements upstream, with product and engineering leadership viewing you as a credible design voice rather than a downstream dependency.
  • Strong written communication and the ability to articulate design rationale clearly in writing, even when the artifact is not in the room.
Nice-to-haves
  • Experience designing AI- or ML-assisted interfaces where AI output is a first-class part of the user experience.
  • Deep expertise in data visualization, including accessibility, interaction design, and data storytelling across complex, high-density datasets.
  • Experience contributing to design culture through shared standards, critique frameworks, or mentorship in measurable ways.
  • Familiarity with Pendo as a product or with the product analytics and digital adoption platform category.
About Pendo
Pendo was founded in 2013 by former product managers, who combined their heads and hearts to build something they wanted but never had as product managers: a simple way to understand and attack what truly drives product success. Our mission is to improve society's experience with software. Come join one of the fastest-growing startups, supported by best-in-class institutions like Battery Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, Spark Capital and Meritech.
Pendo Core Values: Bias to Act, Hone Your Craft, The Team is Pendo, and Maniacal Focus.
Location: Pendo is a hybrid culture. In-office 3 days per week unless designated remote.
Compensation: The expected salary range for this role to be performed in Raleigh, NC is $150,000 - $165,000.
Benefits: Highly competitive, employer-heavy coverage, including $0 premium options, strong 401(k) match, equity, and flexible time off.
EEOC: We are an equal opportunity employer and believe having diverse teams where everyone brings their whole self to Pendo is key to our success. We welcome all people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.
Accessibility: Pendo is committed to working with, and providing access and reasonable accommodation to, applicants with mental and/or physical disabilities. If you think you may require an accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, please send a request to: accommodation@pendo.io. All requests for accommodations are treated discreetly and confidentially, as practical and permitted by law.

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