Prototype Engineering Lead

Skills

About the Role

You will establish and run a prototyping division covering machining, sheet metal, assembly, and prototype SMT work. You will plan the facility, procure and commission equipment, hire and lead skilled staff, manage operations and budget, establish quality systems, and partner with engineering on manufacturability feedback.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or 4+ years of relevant professional experience
• 3+ years of manufacturing, machine-shop, or hardware-prototyping operations experience
• 2+ years directly leading technicians, machinists, or manufacturing teams
• Hands-on CNC machining or sheet-metal fabrication experience
• Experience setting up a machine shop, prototype lab, or manufacturing line
• Knowledge of CNC milling, machining, waterjet cutting, press-brake forming, welding, and hardware insertion
• Experience with PCBA or SMT NPI processes
• Familiarity with California manufacturing compliance
• Experience with ERP, MES, or traceability systems

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end setup of the prototyping division
• Plan space, procure equipment, improve facilities, secure permits, and commission work areas
• Hire, lead, and develop machinists, fabricators, and assembly technicians
• Run operations to achieve same-day or next-day prototype-part turnaround
• Build intake, prioritization, quoting, scheduling, traceability, inventory, and maintenance systems
• Manage capital and operating budgets and vendor relationships
• Establish first-article inspection, calibration, failure analysis, and inspection infrastructure
• Partner with engineering teams to improve design for manufacturability and schedules

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• $500 monthly credit for waiving medical benefits
• $2,500 monthly housing subsidy for eligible nearby residents
• Relocation support to San Jose
• Wellness benefits
• Daily lunch and dinner
• Unlimited compute budget subject to ROI justification