Senior Prototype Design Engineer

About the Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Multidisciplinary Innovation Prototype Engineer: Act as a rapid execution hub, adapting to new technologies and tools at high speed to maintain a fast-paced iteration cycle.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Merge Industrial Design (ID) and Mechanical Design (MD) with digital UX to create cohesive in-vehicle interaction systems.
• Hardware-Software Convergence: Develop and iterate on physical-digital touchpoints, such as haptic controllers, steering wheel interfaces, and integrated displays - as well as experimental hybrid concepts.
• High-Fidelity Modeling: Utilize Figma, Protopie, and vibe coding techniques to build interactive digital flows and interaction models.
• Physical Prototyping: Use 3D printing and CAD modeling to test ergonomics and tactile feel. We are strictly tool-agnostic; we prioritize your ability to master and adapt to new software over expertise in specific platforms like SolidWorks.
• System Validation: Collaborate with software engineering to test interaction models in-vehicle, ensuring prototypes clarify user journeys and architectural feasibility.
• Leadership Demos: Build and maintain compelling prototypes for high-stakes leadership reviews, customer clinics, and international demo sessions.
• Platform Thinking: Develop reusable prototyping patterns and workflows that can be scaled across various vehicle programs.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, HCI, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 6+ years of professional experience in product design, engineering, or rapid prototyping.
• Expert Toolset: Proficiency in Figma, Protopie, vibe coding, Arduino, and advanced proficiency in industry-standard CAD tools.
• Design Versatility: Proven track record in Industrial Design (ID), Mechanical Design (MD), and UX Design.

Core Competencies

• Adaptability: Exceptional ability to learn new skills, tools, and engineering principles on the fly.
• Hands-on Engineering: Skilled in hardware integration, encompassing sensors, actuators, and Arduino-based electronic prototypes.
• Problem Solving: Ability to translate user research insights into actionable, high-craft physical and digital solutions.
• Hands-on Fabrication: Proficient in physical assembly, disassembly, soldering, and general handyman-style building skills to create and repair physical prototypes.

Preferred Skills

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

Pay

$167,000 to $230,840

Schedule

This role involves periodic travel, including international trips to South Korea approximately 10-20% of the time.