Prototype Engineering Lead

Etched
San Jose
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeFunction: Administration & Executive AssistanceExperience: 4+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Leadership","Process improvement","Cross-functional collaboration","Operations management"]

Stand up and run an in-house prototyping division, delivering same-day or next-day prototype turnaround for engineering. Own end-to-end setup of the machine shop, sheet metal cell, assembly/integration area, and prototype SMT line—covering hiring, shop setup, process execution, scheduling, traceability, inventory/consumables, maintenance, budgeting, and vendor relationships. Establish quality infrastructure and partner with mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering to close design-for-manufacturability feedback loops.

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FursaFursa
Etched
Etched
1 week ago

Prototype Engineering Lead

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 8 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Stand up and run an in-house prototyping division, delivering same-day or next-day prototype turnaround for engineering. Own end-to-end setup of the machine shop, sheet metal cell, assembly/integration area, and prototype SMT line—covering hiring, shop setup, process execution, scheduling, traceability, inventory/consumables, maintenance, budgeting, and vendor relationships. Establish quality infrastructure and partner with mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering to close design-for-manufacturability feedback loops.
Location: San Jose
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Administration & Executive Assistance
Seniority: Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Own end-to-end stand-up of the prototyping division, including space planning, equipment selection/procurement, facility improvements, permits, and commissioning for 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 to meet the division’s same-day/next-day prototype turnaround metric.
  • •Build shop-running systems including work intake/prioritization, quoting, scheduling, traceability, inventory/vendor-managed consumables, and preventive maintenance.
  • •Own division budget (capex/opex), make build-vs-buy decisions, manage vendor relationships, and stand up quality infrastructure (first-article inspection, calibration, failure-analysis lab, inspection criteria).

Pay and Benefits

Perks:Health InsuranceDentalVisionHousing SubsidyRelocation SupportMeal Allowance

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering, or 4+ years of professional experience in manufacturing or prototype operations.
  • •3+ years of experience in manufacturing, machine shop, or hardware prototyping operations.
  • •2+ years of experience directly leading technicians, machinists, or manufacturing teams.
  • •Hands-on experience with CNC machining and/or sheet metal fabrication processes.
  • •Ability to lead end-to-end stand-up activities such as shop setup and execution (including space, equipment, and commissioning).
Experience:4+ yearsManufacturingHardware prototypingMachine shopPrototype operationsNPI
Education:Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / Industrial Engineering (or other engineering discipline)
Skills:LeadershipProcess improvementCross-functional collaborationOperations management
Tech Stack:CNC machiningCNC millingSheet metal fabricationWaterjet cuttingCNC press brake formingWeldingPCBASMTNPIStencil printingPick and placeReflowAOIX-rayReworkERPMESTraceability

Company Brief

Etched
Designs transformer‑specialized AI inference ASICs (product: Sohu) to accelerate large‑language‑model workloads, working with TSMC for fabrication and targeting energy‑efficient inference performance.
Industry: Hardware Devices
Company Size: Medium (51 to 250 employees)
Growth: Early Stage Startup
Valuation: Unicorn (USD 1B+)
Funding: Series A
Headquarters: San Jose, United States
Founded: 2022
WebsiteLinkedInGlassdoor