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 prototype testing, San Diego lab execution, documentation, and operational coordination for Ampa’s TMS hardware. You’ll work closely with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and operations teams to build, troubleshoot, test, organize, and improve physical systems while helping keep the San Diego lab running effectively.

This role sits between prototype engineering, lab operations, quality, and manufacturing support. The ideal candidate is hands-on, organized, reliable, and comfortable moving between bench testing, inventory/logistics coordination, documentation, basic troubleshooting, and SolidWorks/drawing review.

This is not intended to be a pure design role or advanced SolidWorks role. The large majority of time will be spent supporting hands-on testing, troubleshooting, repeatable lab execution, documentation, and practical prototype support downstream of design.

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.
• San Diego Lab & Operations Support: Support day-to-day San Diego lab execution, including prototype builds, test setup, equipment readiness, lab organization, inventory tracking, system/part coordination, shipping/logistics support, and follow-through on open engineering or operational 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 engineering, quality, manufacturing, operations, and vendor teams to support prototype testing, lab execution, inventory/logistics coordination, documentation, and evolving development priorities.
• Inventory & System Tracking: Help maintain accurate tracking of internal systems, coils, cables, tablets, fixtures, demo assets, shipments, returns, and current location/status. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure equipment readiness and follow-up actions are clearly documented.

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.
• Technical Background: Basic working SolidWorks and drawing literacy, including the ability to open, review, and make simple updates to parts/assemblies, interpret 2D drawings, support tolerance updates, and create or modify basic fixture/prototype designs. Advanced SolidWorks or complex assembly design experience is helpful, but not required. Background in biomedical, mechanical, mechatronics, electrical, robotics, product development, manufacturing, lab operations, or a related technical field is preferred. Basic soldering experience and comfort working with hardware components are a plus. Roughly 3 years of hands-on mechanical/hardware experience preferred. 
• Medical Device Manufacturing Experience: Prior experience working in a regulated medical device manufacturing environment, with practical exposure to QMS-controlled processes and production execution, is required.
• 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, lab execution, inventory/logistics support, documentation 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.
• Positive Onsite Presence: Brings reliability, urgency, organization, and a constructive attitude to the San Diego lab. Comfortable supporting teammates, jumping into practical tasks, and helping keep the office/lab environment productive.

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 engineer 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

Ampa is a pioneering neurotechnology startup developing brain stimulation technology to help eradicate depression. We will improve millions of lives by making this transformative treatment universally accessible. Joining us means you’ll be part of a rapidly growing startup with significant equity opportunities and a major impact on our future.