How to hire a prototype engineer manager

How to hire a prototype engineer manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step prototype engineer manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a prototype engineer manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new prototype engineer manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a prototype engineer manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A prototype engineer manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, prototype engineer managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of prototype engineer managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Prototype Engineer Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Prototype Engineer Manager	Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.	$38-80
   Research And Development Director	A research and development director spearheads and oversees the research and development initiatives and projects in a company. It is their duty to set goals and guidelines, establish timelines and budgets, direct and manage different departments, liaise with internal and external parties, gather and analyze data to implement solutions against problem areas, and utilize expertise in developing strategies to optimize company operations... Show more	$45-96
   Research And Development Manager	A research and development manager is responsible for supervising project development procedures to support business operations and identify business opportunities that would pave the way for more revenue resources and profits. Research and development managers monitor the production plans from the conceptualization to the final outputs, inspecting inconsistencies and flaws in every phase and revising strategies as needed to achieve the required specifications and requirements... Show more	$37-83

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Prototyping
   • C++
   • BOM
   • RP
   • Product Development
   • Solidworks
   • Additive Manufacturing
   • CNC
   • Design Changes
   • ISO
   • Jigs
   • Design Concepts
   • R
   • JavaScript

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the workflow in the shop, on the SLA machines and in the SLA cleaning area.
   • Create and maintain BOM s. manage inventory.
   • Manage prototyping for start-up company that produce fiber-based amplifiers for telecommunications industry.
   • Program writer of CNC lathes and mills.
   • Ensure production part approval process (PPAP) adherence and accurate documentation.
   • Provide material recommendations base on the customers end use for the RP parts.

   More prototype engineer manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your prototype engineer manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A prototype engineer manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a prototype engineer manager in Oklahoma may be lower than in California, and an entry-level prototype engineer manager usually earns less than a senior-level prototype engineer manager. Additionally, a prototype engineer manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average prototype engineer manager salary

   $116,329yearly

   $55.93 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level prototype engineer manager salary

   $80,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average prototype engineer manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$142,982	$69
   2	New Jersey	$119,817	$58
   3	Texas	$113,499	$55
   4	North Carolina	$108,822	$52
   5	Michigan	$103,876	$50
   6	South Carolina	$94,329	$45
   7	Florida	$93,423	$45

   Average prototype engineer manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$167,098	$80.34	137
   2	Meta	$153,161	$73.64	368
   3	Synaptics	$133,362	$64.12
   4	AIG	$131,683	$63.31	2
   5	Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (Semiconductor & Display)	$130,340	$62.66	2
   6	CyberCoders	$129,492	$62.26
   7	Amazon	$123,531	$59.39	51
   8	UBT	$122,912	$59.09
   9	Amd	$122,306	$58.80	5
   10	Randstad North America, Inc.	$119,290	$57.35
   11	Nokia	$118,281	$56.87
   12	Rivian	$116,805	$56.16	5
   13	MAG Aerospace	$114,694	$55.14
   14	Alcatel Networks Inc	$114,606	$55.10
   15	Teak Isle Manufacturing	$114,249	$54.93
   16	Johnson & Johnson	$109,059	$52.43	4
   17	Altair	$107,410	$51.64
   18	The News-Review	$105,411	$50.68
   19	Bell Flight	$94,936	$45.64
   20	Chewy	$87,008	$41.83	2

4. Writing a prototype engineer manager job description

   A good prototype engineer manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a prototype engineer manager job description:

   Prototype engineer manager job description example

   Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino),California,United States
   
   Hardware
   
   + The ideal candidate will have many of the following qualifications:
   
   + Exceptional problem solving skills.
   
   + Demonstrated ability to fabricate and evaluate prototypes while attending to aesthetic details.
   
   + Ability to balance speed and quality of work based on objectives.
   
   + Independent, self-starter, with good interpersonal skills.
   
   + Excellent communication skills
   
   + Experience with CAD software such as Solidworks, AutoCad, etc.
   
   + Experience with rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC machines.
   
   + Some experience writing software for analysis and debugging.
   
   + Some experience with Labview, Matlab and/or Simulink.
   
   + A passion for doing the best possible work.
   
   **Description**
   
   As a concept prototyping engineer, you will work with teammates and partner teams to: - Design and fabricate prototype electromechanical devices that will interface with Apple products based on direction from design leaders inside Apple. - Support concept transfer to Apple's world class product development engineering groups. - Communicate ideas through working demonstrations, videos, and graphical means. - Debug/troubleshoot new concepts. - Support testing and evaluation of new concepts. - Present prototypes and ideas to cross-functional partners. - Contribute to multiple projects simultaneously, adjusting to program needs as required. - Support senior team members in a variety of innovation and product exploration activities.
   
   **Education & Experience**
   
   - BS in mechanical, electrical engineering or technically similar field is required. 2-4 years of experience is desired.
   
   **Additional Requirements**
   
   **Apple Footer**
   
   Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants. United States Department of Labor. Learn more (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple is required to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate issued by the New York City Department of Health. We will verify the vaccination status of all New York City team members who are working at an Apple Store, office, or partner store in New York City. New York City Department of Health Learn more (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you're applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines (opens in a new window) applicable in your area.
   
   Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program (Opens in a new window) .
   
   Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more (Opens in a new window) .

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right prototype engineer manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with prototype engineer managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit prototype engineer managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your prototype engineer manager job on Zippia to find and recruit prototype engineer manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting prototype engineer managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new prototype engineer manager

   Once you've found the prototype engineer manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new prototype engineer manager first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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