Prototype Development Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Prototype Development Engineer responsible for designing and developing electrical test assets for electric vehicles. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure rapid iteration and testing of EV architectures.

Posted 7/16/2026full-timeLong Beach • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $118,700 - $198,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and building electrical test assets for electric vehicle development, including proficiency in CAD tools and integration of test equipment. Capable of collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient prototype development and testing processes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Electrical Test Asset DesignHIL Systems DevelopmentCAD Tool ProficiencyBOM Creation and ManagementVehicle Communication Protocols

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Hardware DevelopmentTest Equipment BuildPrototype DevelopmentElectrical Test IntegrationDebugging and CommissioningReading Electrical SchematicsWriting Test PlansManaging Build DocumentationVehicle Systems EngineeringEmbedded Networking

Soft Skills

CollaborationTechnical DocumentationProblem-SolvingCommunication

Tools & Technologies

CATIASolidWorksAutoCADCANalyzerWiresharkDAQElectronic LoadsInstrumentationSafety Interlocks3DEXPERIENCE

Industry Keywords

Electric Vehicle DevelopmentTest FixturesLabcarsAutomated Test EquipmentManufacturing Test EnvironmentsNetworked SystemsEmbedded Systems

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

As a Prototype Development Engineer, you will be the bridge between conceptual design and physical reality.
You will own the design, build, integration, commissioning, and maintenance of critical electrical test assets, including advanced Labcars, HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) benches, test fixtures, prototype support equipment, and related EV development assets.
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and technicians to ensure our next-generation electric vehicle (EV) architectures can be built, tested, validated, and iterated quickly.
You will develop test assets from the ground up, including CAD/layout, BOM creation, purchasing support, technician-ready build documentation, electrical test integration, debug, commissioning.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer, Software Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
5+ years of hands-on experience in hardware development, test asset design, test equipment build, prototype development, HIL/lab systems, board bring-up, vehicle systems engineering, or manufacturing test environments.
Demonstrated experience designing, building, commissioning, or supporting physical test assets such as fixtures, racks, carts, panels, enclosures, benches, HIL systems, Labcars, lab systems, or automated test equipment.
Experience with CAD or layout tools such as CATIA, 3DEXPERIENCE, SolidWorks, NX, Creo, Inventor, AutoCAD, EPLAN, or similar.
Experience creating BOMs, identifying parts, supporting sourcing or purchasing, managing alternates, and preparing builds for execution.
Experience integrating electrical test equipment such as DAQ, power supplies, electronic loads, instrumentation, signal conditioning, wiring, harnessing, or safety interlocks.
Experience with vehicle or embedded communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, or similar networked systems.
Experience using embedded networking interface or diagnostic tools such as CANalyzer, CANoe, Wireshark, VSPY3, or similar.
Proficiency in reading and interpreting complex electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical layouts, harness documentation, and PCB assemblies.
Experience writing and executing formal test plans with clear go/no-go criteria.
Experience directing or working closely with technicians during fabrication, assembly, wiring, commissioning, troubleshooting, or lab build activities.
Ability to create and maintain build records, commissioning results, maintenance instructions, configuration status, and clear technical documentation.
Ability to travel 0-15% to support vehicle builds, test asset deployment, modifications, off-site testing, and prototype support activities.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.