Sr. Prototype Engineer

What to Expect

Working at Ampa is a rare chance to help transform global mental health and save millions of lives — a level of impact that demands deep commitment. Success here requires resilience, adaptability, and the discipline to put in long hours. If you thrive in a high-intensity, fast-changing environment and want your work to truly matter, you may do the best work of your life here.

Role Overview

We’re seeking a hands-on Sr. Prototype Engineer to support the development, testing, and validation of next-generation transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices. You’ll work closely with engineering teams to build, troubleshoot, test, and improve early-stage systems while helping establish repeatable testing and documentation processes as we scale. You will also serve as a hands-on technical owner in the San Diego lab, helping bring structure, rigor, and follow-through to prototype testing, troubleshooting, and lab execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Prototype Development & Testing: Build, troubleshoot, and iteratively test biomedical and electromechanical prototypes while developing and executing structured test procedures to evaluate device performance, reliability, safety, and failure modes.
• Lab Execution: Serve as a hands-on technical owner for prototype testing, troubleshooting, lab execution, and follow-through on open engineering actions.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Collect, organize, and analyze prototype test data to identify trends, anomalies, performance issues, and engineering improvements. Maintain precise, traceable test records by unit, condition, setup, result, deviation, and follow-up action.
• Documentation & Quality Support: Create and maintain clear, traceable test documentation, engineering records, and verification protocols in support of QMS and regulated product development processes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support fast-paced R&D projects, improve prototype designs and test methods, and adapt to evolving development priorities.

What We’re Looking For

• Mission-Driven: Passionate about helping eradicate depression through breakthrough neurotechnology.
• Driven & Adaptable: Highly motivated, coachable, and thrives in fast-paced startup environments with evolving priorities.
• Tech Background: Working SolidWorks and mechanical design competency, including the ability to open, review, and modify parts/assemblies, interpret 2D drawings, support tolerance updates, and create or modify basic fixture/prototype designs. Background in biomedical, mechanical, mechatronics, electrical, robotics, product development, or a related field. Basic soldering experience and comfort working with hardware components are a plus. Roughly 3 years of hands-on mechanical/hardware experience preferred.
• Hands-On Problem Solver: Strong troubleshooting, prototyping, and hardware testing skills with attention to detail.
• Comfortable with Repetition: Excited to spend the large majority of time on hands-on, repetitive testing and validation work downstream of design, not just design/creation work.
• Documentation & Quality: Able to maintain structured technical documentation and support testing, verification, and QMS-related processes.

Why Join Ampa?

• Impact: Use hands-on hardware engineering to transform mental health on the planet.
• Growth: Thrive in a startup environment with rapid innovation.
• Stability: Enjoy startup benefits with a secure product line.
• Ownership: Receive substantial equity as an early team member.
• Growth Path: This role has a clear runway to grow into a more senior mechanical engineering or R&D lab lead position as you build tenure and take on more ownership.

Logistics

• Work Mode: Onsite
• Location: San Diego, CA
• Compensation: $75k-$90k base salary + equity
• Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
• Engineering
• San Diego, CA