Hiring: Prototype Engineering Lead Company: Etched Location: San Jose, CA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-10 13:19:14 Target Skills & Keywords : Assembly, Manufacturing Execution Systems About the job Experience: •3+ years of experience in manufacturing, machine shop, or hardware prototyping operations •2+ years of experience directly leading technicians, machinists, or manufacturing teams Required Skills: •Own the end-to-end stand-up of the prototyping division: space planning, equipment selection and procurement, facility improvements, permits, and commissioning of the machine shop, sheet metal cell, assembly area, and prototype SMT line •Hire, lead, and develop a team of machinists, fabricators, and assembly technicians. •Run day-to-day operations against the division's core metric: same-day or next-day turnaround on prototype parts for engineering •Build the systems that make a shop run: work intake and prioritization, quoting, scheduling, traceability, inventory and vendor-managed consumables, and preventive maintenance •Own the division budget (capex and opex), make build-vs-buy calls, and manage relationships with machine dealers, riggers, and overflow vendors •Stand up quality infrastructure: first-article inspection, calibration program, cross-section/failure-analysis lab, and inspection criteria for incoming and in-process work •Partner daily with mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to close design-for-manufacturability feedback loops and pull schedules in. •You may be a good fit if you have Qualifications: •Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or other engineering discipline; OR 4+ years of professional experience in manufacturing or prototype operations in lieu of a degree •4+ years of professional experience in manufacturing or prototype operations in lieu of a degree Compensation: •Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!