Prototype Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 8, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 13, 2026. Π scores B on the Alion truth index.
Join our team as a Prototype Engineer, where you'll be at the forefront of research and real-world applications. You'll work closely with our research and engineering teams to design, build, and iterate on mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes. This role is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between R&D and hardware engineering, translating research ideas into physical systems and ensuring reliable hardware performance in real-world environments.
Missions
- Rapidly design and fabricate mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes to support research experiments and engineering development.
- Build end-to-end prototype systems: from concept sketches through CAD, fabrication, wiring, sensor integration, and validation.
- Collaborate with electrical and robot software engineers to integrate hardware with control systems, firmware, and runtime software.
Profil recherché
- Ability to build full first-pass systems end-to-end, from mechanical structure through electrical integration to basic software scripting- Hands-on expertise with rapid prototyping methods: 3D printing (FDM/SLA), laser cutting, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and manual machining
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to speak the language of both researchers and engineers. Translating abstract research needs or engineering requests into tangible concepts
- Familiarity with the robotics domain, with an understanding of kinematics, actuation, compliant mechanisms, and the challenges of hardware interacting with unstructured real-world environments
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where requirements evolve quickly and scrappiness is valued
- Proficiency in CAD software (Onshape, SolidWorks, or Fusion 360) with strong 3D modeling and drafting skills
- Experience with basic scripting (Python) for test automation, data collection, or hardware interfacing is a plus
- Working knowledge of PCB design, electronics and comfortable soldering, wiring, reading schematics, and integrating sensors (force/torque, IMUs, cameras, encoders, etc.)
- 2-5 years of experience in prototyping, R&D engineering, or hardware development, ideally preferably in robotics, automotive, consumer electronics, or research lab environments
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field