Etched
Prototype Engineering Lead
San Jose · On-site · Full-time · Posted Jul 28, 2026
- Experience
- 3+ years in manufacturing, machine shop, or hardware prototyping operations; 2+ years directly leading technicians, machinists, or manufacturing teams; alternatively, 4+ years of professional manufacturing or prototype operations experience may substitute for the degree.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or another engineering discipline; or equivalent experience (4+ years of professional manufacturing or prototype operations experience in lieu of a degree).
About the job
Leads the launch and operation of Etched’s in-house prototyping division, aiming to deliver prototype parts to engineers the same day or next day.
What you'll do
- Set up and commission the machine shop, sheet metal cell, assembly area, and prototype SMT line; oversee space, equipment, facility improvements, and permits.
- Hire and lead machinists, fabricators, and assembly technicians; manage daily operations, turnaround, workflow, budget, and vendors.
- Establish shop systems and quality processes, and work with engineering teams on design-for-manufacturability feedback.
What they ask for
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, or another engineering discipline, or 4+ years of professional manufacturing or prototype operations experience in lieu of a degree.
- 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, machine shop, or hardware prototyping operations.
- 2+ years of direct leadership experience with technicians, machinists, or manufacturing teams.
- Hands-on experience with CNC machining and/or sheet metal fabrication.
Nice to have
- Experience establishing a machine shop, prototype lab, or manufacturing line; or working knowledge of listed machining and fabrication processes.
- Experience with PCBA/SMT NPI, liquid-cooled or server/rack-scale hardware, California manufacturing compliance, ERP/MES or traceability systems, or skilled-trades hiring.
Tools
CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, 3-axis CNC milling, manual machining, waterjet cutting, CNC press brake forming, PCBA/SMT, ERP/MES
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative