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Rapid Prototyping Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tacit

Rapid Prototyping Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$123K - $139K/yr

About the role We are looking for a Rapid Prototyping Engineer , an engineering generalist who sits at the intersection of R&D and hardware engineering. You'll work closely with our design ...

Tacit

Rapid Prototyping Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$95 - $140/hr

About the role We are looking for a Rapid Prototyping Engineer , an engineering generalist who sits at the intersection of R&D and hardware engineering. You'll work closely with our design ...

Flyttr

Engineering & Rapid Prototyping

San Antonio, TX · On-site

What We're Looking For If you're a practical, curious engineer who's happiest at the bench turning ... Rapid prototyping, model-making, or hardware development * Bio-systems, bioengineering, or other ...

Flyttr

Engineering & Rapid Prototyping

San Antonio, TX · On-site

What We're Looking For If you're a practical, curious engineer who's happiest at the bench turning ... Rapid prototyping, model-making, or hardware development * Bio-systems, bioengineering, or other ...

Flyttr

Engineering & Rapid Prototyping

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

What We're Looking For If you're a practical, curious engineer who's happiest at the bench turning ... Rapid prototyping, model‑making, or hardware development * Bio‑systems, bioengineering, or ...

Flyttr

Engineering & Rapid Prototyping

San Antonio, TX · On-site

What We're Looking For If you're a practical, curious engineer who's happiest at the bench turning ... Rapid prototyping, model-making, or hardware development * Bio-systems, bioengineering, or other ...

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

$100K/yr

We are seeking an Electrical Engineer (Rapid Prototyping) with a strong background in rapid development and hardware integration (PCB design, embedded hardware, etc.) to support advanced shipboard ...

Plan A Technologies, Inc.

$140 - $190/hr

Hands-on with 3D printers, CNC, laser cutters, and other rapid prototyping equipment. Comfortable ... Our software engineers tackle custom product development projects, staff augmentation, major ...

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Rapid Prototyping Engineer information

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$26K

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How much do rapid prototyping engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for rapid prototyping engineer in the United States is $101,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a rapid prototyping engineer do?

A Rapid Prototyping Engineer specializes in quickly designing, fabricating, and testing prototypes of new products or components. They use various technologies such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and additive manufacturing to bring concepts to life. Their primary goal is to validate designs, identify improvements, and accelerate product development cycles. They often collaborate with designers, engineers, and product managers to refine ideas and ensure feasibility. This role requires expertise in CAD software, materials science, and manufacturing techniques to create functional prototypes efficiently.

What does a typical project look like for a rapid prototyping engineer?

A typical project for a Rapid Prototyping Engineer involves collaborating with design, engineering, and product teams to translate initial concepts into physical prototypes. This usually includes interpreting design specifications, selecting appropriate materials and fabrication methods, creating detailed CAD models, and using rapid manufacturing machinery to build and refine parts. The role often requires swift iteration—testing, analyzing, and improving prototypes based on feedback or testing results. As a Rapid Prototyping Engineer, you’ll juggle multiple projects at once and be expected to adapt to changing requirements and tight deadlines while ensuring high-quality, functional prototypes are delivered on time.

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

To thrive as a Rapid Prototyping Engineer, you need strong skills in mechanical or electrical engineering, CAD design, and familiarity with rapid manufacturing processes, supported by a relevant engineering degree. Hands-on experience with tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and proficiency in software such as SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor is highly valued. Creative problem-solving, adaptability, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for success in this fast-paced, collaborative field. These abilities enable quick iteration and effective teamwork, ensuring novel concepts are efficiently turned into functional prototypes that meet design requirements.

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Rapid Prototyping Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rapid Prototyping Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,916 per year, or $49 per hour.

Rapid Prototyping Engineer

Tacit

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$123K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, build, and iterate on mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes to support R&D experiments and engineering development.

  • Develop and assemble fixtures, jigs, and tooling to support prototype build quality, repeatability, and process efficiency.

  • Perform hands-on troubleshooting, debugging, and iteration of electromechanical systems, addressing mechanical, electrical, or process-related issues.

Job description

About Tacit
We are an early-stage, deep tech startup based in San Francisco, developing innovative hardware that rethinks human-computer interaction. We are backed by General Catalyst, Khosla Ventures, and Greylock Partners, with a founding team from Stanford, BrainGate, Oculus, and Tesla. While we can't reveal too much just yet, our team is tackling cutting-edge engineering challenges to bring revolutionary products to life.
About the role
We are looking for a Rapid Prototyping Engineer, an engineering generalist who sits at the intersection of R&D and hardware engineering. You'll work closely with our design, electrical, and sensing teams to rapidly design, build, and iterate on mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes for novel wearable devices - while also owning the assembly and test fixtures that make those prototypes buildable and repeatable.
This is a hands-on, builder-at-heart role for someone who thrives on ambiguity and enjoys turning a rough concept into a working, testable physical system. You'll be the person the hardware and research teams come to when something new needs to be designed, fixtured, built, and iterated on fast - and when successful, you'll turn those one-off builds into scalable, DFM-friendly processes that support our product ramp from NPI/NTI through production.
What you'll do
  • Prototyping & Build
    • Rapidly design and fabricate mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes to support R&D experiments and engineering development for wearable and consumer-electronics form factors.
    • Build end-to-end prototype systems: from concept sketches through CAD, fabrication, wiring, sensor/RF component integration, and validation.
    • Develop quick-turn PCBs, flex circuits, wiring harnesses, and cable assemblies for prototype electronics.
    • Hands-on soldering and assembly of electrical and sensing circuit components, including delicate flex and fine-pitch work.
    • Evaluate and select sensors, actuators, and off-the-shelf components for integration into prototype systems.
  • Fixtures & Tooling
    • Design, build, and iterate on assembly and test fixtures, jigs, and tooling from the ground up to support novel processes and ensure build quality and efficiency for complex devices and wearables.
    • Partner with design engineers to provide DFM/DFA feedback and drive design iterations before problems reach production.
    • Build fixtures that improve repeatability, cycle time, and debug visibility for both R&D builds and early manufacturing runs.
  • Debug, Troubleshooting & Iteration
    • Perform hands-on assembly, troubleshooting, and debugging of electromechanical systems, isolating whether an issue is mechanical, electrical, or process-related.
    • Identify and address failure modes specific to wearable hardware (fit, comfort, cable management, contact forces, thermal effects, wear over repeated use).
    • Take initiative in driving design iterations, documenting findings, and proposing next steps with minimal supervision.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Collaborate with electrical, RF, mechanical, and firmware engineers to integrate hardware with control systems and test software.
    • Support NPI/NTI/R&D efforts, working closely with design and validation teams as products move from early prototype toward production intent.
    • Communicate build status, design risks, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-specialist audiences.
    • Document designs, build procedures, and test results to support knowledge transfer and continuous design improvement.
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
  • 2+ years of experience in prototyping, R&D engineering, or hardware development, ideally in wearables, consumer electronics, robotics, or research lab environments.
  • Required experience with NPI/NTI/R&D processes, taking hardware from early concept through pre-production.
  • Proficiency in CAD software (Onshape, SolidWorks, or Fusion 360) with strong 3D modeling and drafting skills.
  • Working knowledge of PCB design and electronics, and comfort with soldering electrical and RF circuit components, wiring, reading schematics, and integrating sensors.
  • Hands-on ability to build and troubleshoot electromechanical systems.
  • Hands-on expertise with rapid prototyping methods: 3D printing (FDM/SLA), laser cutting, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and manual machining.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and building assembly and test fixtures, jigs, and tooling from scratch.
  • Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Strong track record of troubleshooting, debugging, and iterating on designs independently.
  • A builder at heart: someone who takes initiative, brings creativity and problem-solving to ambiguous challenges, and can work with minimal supervision.
  • Excellent communication skills and comfort operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where requirements evolve quickly.
Strong candidates may have
  • Familiarity with wearable or consumer-electronics form factors and the constraints of designing for comfort, fit, and durability against the body.
  • Experience with RF or antenna hardware integration and the fixturing challenges specific to RF test and assembly.
  • Basic scripting ability (Python) for test automation, data collection, or hardware interfacing.
  • Experience supporting builds across EVT, DVT, and PVT stages with contract manufacturers

Success in This Role Looks Like
  • Research and design concepts are rapidly and reliably turned into working physical prototypes.
  • Assembly and test fixtures enable consistent, repeatable builds across R&D and early production runs.
  • DFM/DFA feedback delivered early prevents costly design iterations downstream.
  • Cross-functional teams have a trusted go-to person for hands-on build, debug, and fixture needs.
  • Prototype learnings and fixture designs translate smoothly into scalable production processes.
Benefits
  • Competitive equity package
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Company size: 30-50 people
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Visa sponsorship
  • 4% 401k matching

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