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Senior Prototype Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ampa, Inc.

Sr. Prototype Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Role Overview: We're seeking a hands-on Sr. Prototype Engineer to support the development, testing ... new designs from scratch. Key Responsibilities: * Prototype Development & Testing: Build ...

Archer

Senior Prototype Build Technician

San Jose, CA · On-site

$50 - $60/hr

We are seeking a Prototype Build Technician to support the Test Equipment Design and Build team. In ... designs. * Operational Excellence : High standards for workmanship and quality, with the written ...

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 ... Experience designing, building, or deploying robotic or electromechanical systems - including motor ...

Apple

Sr. Prototyping Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

... prototype hardware. Developing perception, sensor fusion, and on-device intelligence pipelines ... Collaborating closely with industrial designers, ML researchers, and hardware engineers to define ...

Apple

Senior Designer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$125K - $134K/yr

Interaction Architecture (IA) is a design and prototyping team within the larger Apple Design Team ... Description IA is looking for a Senior Designer with excellent interaction design sensibilities and ...

Apple

Senior Designer

Cupertino, CA

$207K - $372K/yr

Interaction Architecture (IA) is a design and prototyping team within the larger Apple Design Team ... Description IA is looking for a Senior Designer with excellent interaction design sensibilities and ...

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Senior Prototype Designer information

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How much do senior prototype designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior prototype designer in the United States is $51.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.11 and $53.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prototype designer?

A prototype designer is a professional who creates preliminary models of products, interfaces, or systems to test and refine ideas before full development. They often use design tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD and collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to ensure functionality and user experience. This role requires strong design skills, understanding of user needs, and the ability to iterate quickly based on feedback.

What can you do with DT?

As a Senior Prototype Designer, working with DT (Design Tools or Digital Technologies) involves creating and refining prototypes to test concepts, user interactions, and functionality. Proficiency in design software like Adobe XD, Figma, or CAD tools is essential to develop realistic models that communicate design intent and support user testing and iteration.

What is the highest paid designer job?

Senior Prototype Designers in industries such as technology and automotive often earn high salaries, especially with extensive experience and expertise in tools like CAD or 3D modeling software. Executive-level design roles, such as Creative Directors or Design Directors, typically have higher compensation, often exceeding six figures annually.

What is the difference between Senior Prototype Designer vs UX Designer?

AspectSenior Prototype DesignerUX Designer
CredentialsTypically requires experience in prototyping tools, design portfolios, and sometimes certifications in design or human-computer interactionRequires user research, wireframing, and usability testing skills, often with similar certifications or degrees in design or psychology
Work EnvironmentFocuses on creating interactive prototypes, collaborating with developers and product teamsFocuses on user experience research, wireframes, and overall user journey design
Industry UsageCommon in product design, tech companies, and startupsWidely used across digital products, apps, and web services

While both roles involve design and user-centered approaches, Senior Prototype Designers specialize in creating detailed interactive prototypes to test concepts, whereas UX Designers focus on the overall user experience, research, and usability. The roles often overlap but serve different stages of the product development process.

What is the highest paid product design job?

Senior product designers, especially those working in tech companies or at large corporations, tend to have the highest salaries in product design. Roles such as Lead Designer or Design Director often command higher compensation, particularly with expertise in user experience, interaction design, and proficiency in tools like Figma or Sketch. Salaries can exceed $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size.
What cities are hiring for Senior Prototype Designer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Prototype Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prototype Designer jobs? The most popular types of Prototype Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Prototype Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Prototype Designer jobs include:
Senior Prototype Designer jobs near you
Sr. Prototype Engineer

Sr. Prototype Engineer

Ampa, Inc.

San Diego, CA • On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Ampa is a pioneering neurotechnology startup developing brain stimulation technology to help eradicate depression. We will improve millions of lives by making this transformative treatment universally accessible. Joining us means you'll be part of a rapidly growing startup with significant equity opportunities and a major impact on our future.
What to Expect:
Working at Ampa is a rare chance to help transform global mental health and save millions of lives - a level of impact that demands deep commitment. Success here requires resilience, adaptability, and the discipline to put in long hours. If you thrive in a high-intensity, fast-changing environment and want your work to truly matter, you may do the best work of your life here.
Role Overview:
We're seeking a hands-on Sr. Prototype Engineer to support the development, testing, and validation of next-generation transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices. You'll work closely with engineering teams to build, troubleshoot, test, and improve early-stage systems while helping establish repeatable testing and documentation processes as we scale. You will also serve as a hands-on technical owner in the San Diego lab, helping bring structure, rigor, and follow-through to prototype testing, troubleshooting, and lab execution.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with physical hardware, solving practical engineering problems, and moving fluidly between bench testing, data analysis, documentation, and prototype iteration. You'll play a key role in helping transform evolving concepts into robust, testable, and manufacturable medical technologies. We're looking for someone with roughly 3 years of hands-on mechanical/hardware experience - seasoned enough to work independently, but this role sits downstream of design: the large majority of time is spent on hands-on, repetitive testing and validation rather than creating new designs from scratch.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Prototype Development & Testing: Build, troubleshoot, and iteratively test biomedical and electromechanical prototypes while developing and executing structured test procedures to evaluate device performance, reliability, safety, and failure modes.
  • Lab Execution: Serve as a hands-on technical owner for prototype testing, troubleshooting, lab execution, and follow-through on open engineering actions.
  • Data Collection & Analysis: Collect, organize, and analyze prototype test data to identify trends, anomalies, performance issues, and engineering improvements. Maintain precise, traceable test records by unit, condition, setup, result, deviation, and follow-up action.
  • Documentation & Quality Support: Create and maintain clear, traceable test documentation, engineering records, and verification protocols in support of QMS and regulated product development processes.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support fast-paced R&D projects, improve prototype designs and test methods, and adapt to evolving development priorities.

What We're Looking For:
  • Mission-Driven: Passionate about helping eradicate depression through breakthrough neurotechnology.
  • Driven & Adaptable: Highly motivated, coachable, and thrives in fast-paced startup environments with evolving priorities.
  • Technical Background: Working SolidWorks and mechanical design competency, including the ability to open, review, and modify parts/assemblies, interpret 2D drawings, support tolerance updates, and create or modify basic fixture/prototype designs. Background in biomedical, mechanical, mechatronics, electrical, robotics, product development, or a related field. Basic soldering experience and comfort working with hardware components are a plus. Roughly 3 years of hands-on mechanical/hardware experience preferred.
  • Hands-On Problem Solver: Strong troubleshooting, prototyping, and hardware testing skills with attention to detail.
  • Comfortable with Repetition: Excited to spend the large majority of time on hands-on, repetitive testing and validation work downstream of design, not just design/creation work.
  • Documentation & Quality: Able to maintain structured technical documentation and support testing, verification, and QMS-related processes.

Why Join Ampa?
  • Impact: Use hands-on hardware engineering to transform mental health on the planet.
  • Growth: Thrive in a startup environment with rapid innovation.
  • Stability: Enjoy startup benefits with a secure product line.
  • Ownership: Receive substantial equity as an early team member.
  • Growth Path: This role has a clear runway to grow into a more senior mechanical engineering or R&D lab lead position as you build tenure and take on more ownership.

Logistics:
  • Work Mode: Onsite
  • Location: San Diego, CA
  • Compensation: $75k-$90k base salary + equity
  • Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

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