Rapid Prototyping Engineer

Job details

Work model

On-site

Salary

Not listed by source

Location

San Francisco

Company website

docs.google.com

Job description

About Tacit We are an early-stage, deep tech startup based in San Francisco, developing innovative hardware that rethinks human-computer interaction. We are backed by General Catalyst, Khosla Ventures, and Greylock Partners, with a founding team from Stanford, BrainGate, Oculus, and Tesla. While we can’t reveal too much just yet, our team is tackling cutting-edge engineering challenges to bring revolutionary products to life. ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for a Rapid Prototyping Engineer, an engineering generalist who sits at the intersection of R&D and hardware engineering. You'll work closely with our design, electrical, and sensing teams to rapidly design, build, and iterate on mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes for novel wearable devices - while also owning the assembly and test fixtures that make those prototypes buildable and repeatable. This is a hands-on, builder-at-heart role for someone who thrives on ambiguity and enjoys turning a rough concept into a working, testable physical system. You'll be the person the hardware and research teams come to when something new needs to be designed, fixtured, built, and iterated on fast - and when successful, you'll turn those one-off builds into scalable, DFM-friendly processes that support our product ramp from NPI/NTI through production. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Prototyping & Build - Rapidly design and fabricate mechanical, electrical, and sensor prototypes to support R&D experiments and engineering development for wearable and consumer-electronics form factors. - Build end-to-end prototype systems: from concept sketches through CAD, fabrication, wiring, sensor/RF component integration, and validation. - Develop quick-turn PCBs, flex circuits, wiring harnesses, and cable assemblies for prototype electronics. - Hands-on soldering and assembly of electrical and sensing circuit components, including delicate flex and fine-pitch work. - Evaluate and select sensors, actuators, and off-the-shelf components for integration into prototype systems. - Fixtures & Tooling - Design, build, and iterate on assembly and test fixtures, jigs, and tooling from the ground up to support novel processes and ensure build quality and efficiency for complex devices and wearables. - Partner with design engineers to provide DFM/DFA feedback and drive design iterations before problems reach production. - Build fixtures that improve repeatability, cycle time, and debug visibility for both R&D builds and early manufacturing runs. - Debug, Troubleshooting & Iteration - Perform hands-on assembly, troubleshooting, and debugging of electromechanical systems, isolating whether an issue is mechanical, electrical, or process-related. - Identify and address failure modes specific to wearable hardware (fit, comfort, cable management, contact forces, thermal effects, wear over repeated use). - Take initiative in driving design iterations, documenting findings, and proposing next steps with minimal supervision. - Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate with electrical, RF, mechanical, and firmware engineers to integrate hardware with control systems and test software. - Support NPI/NTI/R&D efforts, working closely with design and validation teams as products move from early prototype toward production intent. - Communicate build status, design risks, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-specialist audiences. - Document designs, build procedures, and test results to support knowledge transfer and continuous design improvement. REQUIREMENTS - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field. - 2+ years of experience in prototyping, R&D engineering, or hardware development, ideally in wearables, consumer electronics, robotics, or research lab environments. - Required experience with NPI/NTI/R&D processes, taking hardware from early concept through pre-production. - Proficiency in CAD software (Onshape, SolidWorks, or Fusion 360) with strong 3D modeling and drafting skills. - Working knowledge of PCB design and electronics, and comfort with soldering electrical and RF circuit components, wiring, reading schematics, and integrating sensors. - Hands-on ability to build and troubleshoot electromechanical systems. - Hands-on expertise with rapid prototyping methods: 3D printing (FDM/SLA), laser cutting, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and manual machining. - Demonstrated experience designing and building assembly and test fixtures, jigs, and tooling from scratch. - Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills. - Strong track record of troubleshooting, debugging, and iterating on designs independently. - A builder at heart: someone who takes initiative, brings creativity and problem-solving to ambiguous challenges, and can work with minimal supervision. - Excellent communication skills and comfort operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where requirements evolve quickly. STRONG CANDIDATES MAY HAVE - Familiarity with wearable or consumer-electronics form factors and the constraints of designing for comfort, fit, and durability against the body. - Experience with RF or antenna hardware integration and the fixturing challenges specific to RF test and assembly. - Basic scripting ability (Python) for test automation, data collection, or hardware interfacing. - Experience supporting builds across EVT, DVT, and PVT stages with contract manufacturers SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE - Research and design concepts are rapidly and reliably turned into working physical prototypes. - Assembly and test fixtures enable consistent, repeatable builds across R&D and early production runs. - DFM/DFA feedback delivered early prevents costly design iterations downstream. - Cross-functional teams have a trusted go-to person for hands-on build, debug, and fixture needs. - Prototype learnings and fixture designs translate smoothly into scalable production processes. BENEFITS - Competitive equity package - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance - Company size: 30-50 people - Unlimited PTO - Visa sponsorship - 4% 401k matching

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