Senior Prototype Design Engineer

42dot•San Francisco, CA

5d•$167,000 - $230,840•Onsite

About The Position

42dot is seeking a highly adaptive Senior Prototype Design Engineer to serve as the "Prototype Engineer" for our Advanced Product Experience design. This is a high-impact role designed for a "T-shaped" professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can seamlessly bridge the gap between Industrial Design, Mechanical Design, and UX Design. You will be responsible for transforming abstract concepts into high-fidelity, testable prototypes that validate feasibility and accelerate decision-making for future-forward vehicle experiences. You are not just a designer; you are a builder who can adapt to new skills rapidly to meet the evolving needs of autonomous driving and intelligent mobility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, HCI, or a related technical field.
6+ years of professional experience in product design, engineering, or rapid prototyping.
Proficiency in Figma, Protopie, vibe coding, Arduino, and advanced proficiency in industry-standard CAD tools.
Proven track record in Industrial Design (ID), Mechanical Design (MD), and UX Design.
Exceptional ability to learn new skills, tools, and engineering principles on the fly.
Skilled in hardware integration, encompassing sensors, actuators, and Arduino-based electronic prototypes.
Ability to translate user research insights into actionable, high-craft physical and digital solutions.
Proficient in physical assembly, disassembly, soldering, and general handyman-style building skills to create and repair physical prototypes.

Nice To Haves

Experience with 3D modeling/CAD
Familiarity with automotive HMI or ADAS interaction models.
Background in rapid hardware prototyping (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or custom electronics).

Responsibilities

Act as a rapid execution hub, adapting to new technologies and tools at high speed to maintain a fast-paced iteration cycle.
Merge Industrial Design (ID) and Mechanical Design (MD) with digital UX to create cohesive in-vehicle interaction systems.
Develop and iterate on physical-digital touchpoints, such as haptic controllers, steering wheel interfaces, and integrated displays - as well as experimental hybrid concepts.
Utilize Figma, Protopie, and vibe coding techniques to build interactive digital flows and interaction models.
Use 3D printing and CAD modeling to test ergonomics and tactile feel.
Collaborate with software engineering to test interaction models in-vehicle, ensuring prototypes clarify user journeys and architectural feasibility.
Build and maintain compelling prototypes for high-stakes leadership reviews, customer clinics, and international demo sessions.
Develop reusable prototyping patterns and workflows that can be scaled across various vehicle programs.