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Design Manager Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Civil Site Design Department Manager

Madison, WI ยท On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Civil Site Design Department Manager Location: Madison, WI About Kapur: Kapur & Associates is a reputable, employee-owned consulting engineering firm that has been providing engineering, survey, site ...

Join our dedicated team as a Design Technician I, where you will support gas utility operations by ... You will work closely with senior technicians, engineers, managers, and project teams ...

Design Engineer We are seeking a Design Engineer focused on Research & Development (R&D) and New ... Project management experience. * Mechanical engineering with a focus on defense, R&D, and new ...

The knowledge to plan, design, manage, and review construction, development, or manipulation of a physical environment for practical or creative objectives, such as buildings, landscapes, and/or ...

DESIGN & COMMUNICATION MANAGER

Madison, WI ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

From photography and journalism to graphic design and videography, Navy MCs can do it all. We're looking for Sailors with talent, originality and who aren't afraid to think outside the box and see ...

DESIGN & COMMUNICATION MANAGER

Whitewater, WI ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

From photography and journalism to graphic design and videography, Navy MCs can do it all. We're looking for Sailors with talent, originality and who aren't afraid to think outside the box and see ...

Project Manager

Madison, WI ยท On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Project Manager Chads Design Build Madison, WI Chads Design Build is seeking an experienced Residential Construction Project Manager to join our growing team. This position is ideal for a detail ...

Showing results 21-40

Design Manager information

See Madison, WI salary details

$42.4K

$115.4K

$203.2K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Madison, WI is $115,446.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,200.00 and $145,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a design manager do?

A design manager oversees a design team during a project and typically works in the construction and architecture industries. As a design manager, you may work for specialty companies that contract out to construction firms on a per-project basis. Or, you may spend your career working as an in-house design manager for a construction company or architect firm. Regardless of the location of your job as a design manager, your duties revolve around supervising the design of a building project and include adhering to legislation and codes, eliminating safety and financial risks, and advising clients during development.

How does a design manager typically balance creative vision with project deadlines and client expectations?

A Design Manager is responsible for guiding their team's creative direction while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. This often means carefully prioritizing tasks, setting clear milestones, and communicating regularly with clients and stakeholders to manage expectations. They serve as a bridge between creative teams and project managers, helping to resolve conflicts and maintain a productive workflow. By fostering open collaboration and providing constructive feedback, Design Managers help ensure both the creative vision and practical project requirements are met.

What is a design manager?

Design Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the design process within a project or organization. They coordinate and lead design teams, ensure design objectives align with business goals, and manage timelines, budgets, and resources. Design Managers often act as a bridge between creative teams and other departments, facilitating communication and ensuring that the final product meets both aesthetic and functional requirements. Their role can span across industries such as architecture, graphic design, product design, and digital media.

What is the difference between Design Manager vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesign ManagerGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, management experienceBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, oversees projectsCreates visual content, works independently or in teams
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, agency, and studio settingsCommon in advertising, publishing, branding

The main difference between a Design Manager and a Graphic Designer lies in their responsibilities and scope. Design Managers oversee design teams and strategic project planning, while Graphic Designers focus on creating visual content. Both roles require relevant design credentials, but Design Managers also need leadership experience. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design manager?

To thrive as a Design Manager, you need a strong background in design principles, project management, and leadership, typically supported by a degree in design or a related field and several years of design experience. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools like Asana or Trello is essential. Exceptional communication, team leadership, and problem-solving skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively leading creative teams, delivering high-quality design outcomes, and meeting client or organizational goals.

Is a design manager a stressful job?

A design manager role can be stressful due to responsibilities such as overseeing creative teams, managing project deadlines, and balancing client expectations. The level of stress varies depending on company size, project scope, and workload, but strong organizational and communication skills help manage pressure effectively.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Madison, WI?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Madison, WI are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Manager jobs in Madison, WI?

For Design Manager jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Manager jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Manager jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Design Manager jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Design Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Manager job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,446 per year, or $55.5 per hour.

Industrial Design Engineer

MRA Recruiting Services

Madison, WI โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Universal Presentation Concepts (UPC)
Industrial Design Engineer
Madison, WI 


About UPC
At UPC, we design and manufacture high‑quality retail store fixtures and point‑of‑purchase (P.O.P.) displays that bring brands to life. Located in Madison, WI, our 120,000 sq. ft. clean, modern facility is home to a collaborative team that takes pride in craftsmanship, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Family‑owned for over 48 years, UPC is growing—and we’ve done that by being employee‑centric, fostering strong teamwork, and maintaining exceptional employee retention. We believe great ideas come from empowered people.

Why Join UPC?

We’re expanding and looking for talented professionals across Design, Engineering, Administrative, and Manufacturing roles. If you want to work in an environment where your ideas matter and your work has tangible impact, UPC may be the place for you.

Position Summary

As an Industrial Design Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping innovative retail solutions from concept through production. This is a hands‑on, collaborative position that blends creativity, engineering, and process improvement within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

What You’ll Do

  • Develop innovative design concepts that meet customer needs and expand UPC’s design portfolio
  • Create a full range of design deliverables—from concept sketches to detailed production drawings
  • Produce clear, concise manufacturing instructions to ensure quality and consistency
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously while adapting to evolving requirements
  • Organize and maintain project files to support efficient workflows and version control
  • Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to align design, engineering, and production goals
  • Work across multiple file formats and design tools to ensure smooth interoperability
  • Apply knowledge of networking, file management, and cloud technologies to support collaboration
  • Champion the adoption of new tools and technologies to improve efficiency and communication
  • Contribute to UPC’s technical evolution through flexibility, innovation, and problem‑solving
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives within the design and engineering team

Tools & Work Environment

  • CAD Software: AutoCAD
  • 3D Modeling: Blender
  • Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and more
  • ERP System: Odoo

What We’re Looking For

  • Preferably 2+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
  • Proficiency with CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar)
  • A portfolio showcasing relevant design and engineering work
  • Familiarity with basic IT concepts, including operating systems, software, file formats, and cloud tools
  • Strong communication skills and comfort working across departments
  • Demonstrated aptitude working within an ERP system (Odoo or similar)

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation
  • 401(k)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Health insurance benefits
  • Paid holidays
  • And more

We Make it Easy

Founded in 1901, MRA is a nonprofit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers, covering more than one million employees.

As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by offering the most comprehensive assortment of HR services, information, education, and resources to help build successful workplaces and a powerful workforce.

We partner with these companies working directly with their HR department and leadership to hire their talent. We are a direct line to the company, not an agency recruiter.

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