Prototyping Engineer IV

About Ascendion

Ascendion is an AI-native software engineering disruptor helping businesses innovate faster, smarter, and with greater impact. We partner with enterprise clients across North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC to solve complex challenges in data, experience design, software product engineering, and workforce transformation. Powered by expert engineers, thousands of AI agents, and our Engineering to the Power of AI (EngineeringAI) method, we deliver measurable outcomes that build trust, unlock value, and accelerate growth.

Learn more at  https://ascendion.com/.

Engineering to the Power of AI™, AAVA™, EngineeringAI, Engineering to Elevate Life™, Enterprise PlatformsAI, Data & InsightsAI, ExperienceAI, GCCAI, OperationsAI, Platform EngineeringAI, ProductAI, and Quality EngineeringAI are trademarks or service marks of Ascendion®. AAVA™ is pending registration. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.

Ascendion | Engineering to elevate life

We have a culture built on opportunity, inclusion, and a spirit of partnership. Come, change the world with us:

• Build the coolest tech for world’s leading brands
• Solve complex problems - and learn new skills
• Experience the power of transforming digital engineering for Fortune 500 clients
• Master your craft with leading training programs and hands-on experience

Experience a community of change makers!

Join a culture of high-performing innovators with endless ideas and a passion for tech. Our culture is the fabric of our company, and it is what makes us unique and diverse. The way we share ideas, learning, experiences, successes, and joy allows everyone to be their best at Ascendion.

About the role:

• This role requires a versatile engineer with a working understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software systems who can smoothly integrate various subsystems into functional prototypes.
• The position involves hands-on building, working together with AI tools, debugging, and iterating on prototype hardware systems for next-generation Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality (AR/VR) devices.
• A portion of the role will also involve developing, maintaining, and refining AI workflows that improve efficiency and increase impact.

Job Title:Prototyping Engineer IV

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently identify technical gaps and take initiative to design, build, and integrate multi-disciplinary prototype systems spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
• Integrate and validate subsystems (optical, electrical, mechanical, firmware) into cohesive prototype assemblies, ensuring proper communication and functionality across interfaces.
• Debug hardware and firmware issues using lab instrumentation including multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power supplies to isolate root causes at the electrical level.
• Perform software-level debugging through tools such as adb, serial consoles, and log analysis to troubleshoot embedded systems and device firmware.
• Develop Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and streamline bring-up processes with AI practices.
• Develop and maintain test fixtures, jigs, and custom tooling to support prototype builds, alignment, and validation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to translate research concepts into working prototype hardware.
• Develop and document assembly processes, integration procedures, and debug workflows to enable repeatable prototype builds.
• Proactively identify risks and propose solutions during prototype bring-up, driving issues to resolution with minimal oversight.
• Support AR display system hardware integration and process development, including optical alignment, metrology, and functional testing.
• Leverage AI methods for data analysis, data visualization, and process development.
• Develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) model skills and recipes
• Design, develop, and maintain multi-agent AI infrastructure and automated data pipelines.
• Integrate AI agents with enterprise platforms using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and serverless platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, design, operations, infrastructure) to build innovative AI-native application experiences.
• Build and integrate Large Language Model (LLM) / generative AI capabilities into product surfaces, including prompt engineering, structured prompting, and context management.
• Troubleshoot display hardware and firmware/software issues.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8 years of hands-on experience in hardware prototyping, systems integration, or lab engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a self-starter: identifying problems, proposing solutions, and driving projects forward with minimal direction.
• Working knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, and software) with the ability to understand how subsystems interact.
• Proficiency with electrical debug tools including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers for signal integrity and power analysis (SI/PI).
• Experience with embedded systems debugging using tools such as Android Debug Bridge (adb), Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART)/serial consoles, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), or similar interfaces.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and software teams to deliver integrated prototype systems.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with AR/VR or display system prototyping, including optical alignment and metrology.
• Familiarity with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design review, schematic reading, and basic soldering/rework for prototype modification.
• Experience with scripting or automation (Python, shell scripting) to support test, data collection, or process automation.
• Experience with test/debug automation
• Experience with latest AI tooling
• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, including torque-sensitive and precision-alignment operations.
• Familiarity with firmware development environments, embedded Linux, or Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) based systems.
• Experience building and maintaining lab infrastructure, test systems, or custom instrumentation.

Location: Redmond, WA [Onsite]

Salary Range: The salary for this position is between $176,000 - $228,800 annually.  Factors which may affect pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits: The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: [medical insurance] [dental insurance] [vision insurance] [401(k) retirement plan] [long-term disability insurance] [short-term disability insurance] [5 personal days accrued each calendar year. The Paid time off benefits meet the paid sick and safe time laws that pertains to the City/ State] [10-15 days of paid vacation time] [6 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per calendar year] [Ascendion Learning Management System]

 Want to change the world? Let us know.

Tell us about your experiences, education, and ambitions. Bring your knowledge, unique viewpoint, and creativity to the table. Let’s talk!