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Freelance Surface Pattern Design Jobs in Wisconsin

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Engineer

Waupaca, WI · On-site

Understand the design and build of Disamatic mold patterns, core setters, Laempe / CB / D75 core ... surfacing as well as knowledge of Magmasoft. * Knowledge of iron gating best practices. * Ability ...

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Designer

Waupaca, WI · On-site

Understand the design and build of Disamatic mold patterns, core setters, Laempe / CB / D75 core ... 3D CAD systems utilizing surfacing. * Ability to create 3D models from 2D layout drawings.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Engineer

Waupaca, WI · On-site

Understand the design and build of Disamatic mold patterns, core setters, Laempe / CB / D75 core ... surfacing as well as knowledge of Magmasoft. * Knowledge of iron gating best practices. * Ability ...

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Designer

Waupaca, WI · On-site

Understand the design and build of Disamatic mold patterns, core setters, Laempe / CB / D75 core ... 3D CAD systems utilizing surfacing. * Ability to create 3D models from 2D layout drawings.

Coding Strategies, Inc.

WI · On-site

$140 - $180/hr

... integration surface compounds over time. This is a senior individual contributor role with no ... REST API design, OData, and event‑driven integration patterns. * Demonstrated experience ...

Accenture

Knowledge Engineer - Back End

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

Design and build user-facing applications and dashboards that surface Knowledge Graph data to end ... Familiarity with a BFF (Backend for Frontend) or API gateway pattern. * Experience with AI agent ...

Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement

WI · On-site

$144.20 - $288.40/hr

... surface relevant APIs, usage examples, ownership information, and compliance status during ... API design workflows * Experience working with agent-to-agent (A2A) integration patterns or MCP ...

Socket.dev

Principal Applied AI/ML Engineer

Oregon, WI · On-site

$93 - $137/hr

Lead the architecture, design, and evolution of production‑grade applied AI systems, including ... Create structure in ambiguous environments by defining milestones, surfacing risks, tracking ...

New

VollRath

Tool & Die Maker - 3rd Shift

Sheboygan, WI · On-site

$26.25 - $33.25/hr

... patterns. All work will involve a high degree of skill and thorough knowledge of tool building ... Setup and operate manual machines - experience with lathes, surface grinders, drilling machines ...

VollRath

Tool & Die Maker - 3rd Shift

Sheboygan, WI · On-site

$37.27/hr

... patterns. All work will involve a high degree of skill and thorough knowledge of tool building ... Setup and operate manual machines - experience with lathes, surface grinders, drilling machines ...

VollRath

Tool & Die Maker - 3rd Shift

Sheboygan, WI · On-site

$26 - $32.75/hr

... patterns. All work will involve a high degree of skill and thorough knowledge of tool building ... Setup and operate manual machines - experience with lathes, surface grinders, drilling machines ...

VollRath

$23.50 - $29.75/hr

... patterns. All work will involve a high degree of skill and thorough knowledge of tool building ... Setup and operate manual machines - experience with lathes, surface grinders, drilling machines ...

Euroclear

WI · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Lead end‑to‑end design, architecture, and delivery of large‑scale, mission‑critical systems ... Please note that this is a permanent position, and we do not offer freelance or contract ...

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Freelance Surface Pattern Design information

See Wisconsin salary details

$15

$48

$133

How much do freelance surface pattern design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance surface pattern design in Wisconsin is $48.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.52 and $62.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in freelance surface pattern design, and why are they important?

To excel as a Freelance Surface Pattern Designer, you need a strong foundation in illustration, color theory, and design principles, often supported by a portfolio showcasing your work. Proficiency with digital design tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is essential, and familiarity with surface pattern industry standards is an advantage. Effective communication, time management, and self-motivation help freelancers succeed in managing multiple projects and clients. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality, marketable designs while building a reliable client base and staying competitive in a creative industry.

What are some of the biggest challenges freelance surface pattern designers face, and how can they overcome them?

Freelance surface pattern designers often face challenges such as finding consistent clients, managing fluctuating workloads, and keeping up with changing design trends. To overcome these obstacles, it's helpful to build a strong online portfolio, actively network within the design community, and regularly update your skills through industry resources and workshops. Many successful freelancers also dedicate time to researching current market needs and establishing a reliable workflow to balance creativity with business responsibilities. By staying organized and proactive, designers can build a sustainable career and maintain a steady stream of engaging projects.

What is a freelance surface pattern design?

A Freelance Surface Pattern Design job involves creating repeating patterns or illustrations for use on products like textiles, wallpapers, stationery, and packaging. Designers work independently, licensing or selling their designs to brands, manufacturers, or print-on-demand platforms. They may also take on custom design projects for clients. This role requires creativity, knowledge of design software, and an understanding of industry trends. Freelancers manage their own business, handling marketing, contracts, and client relationships.

What are the most commonly searched types of Surface Pattern Design jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Surface Pattern Design jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Surface Pattern Design jobs in Wisconsin? For Freelance Surface Pattern Design jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Surface Pattern Design jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Surface Pattern Design jobs in Wisconsin are:
Freelance Surface Pattern Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Surface Pattern Design job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,158 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

CNC Programmer & Pattern Maker

Kruger Family Industries

Portage, WI • On-site

$28.25 - $38.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Kruger Family Industries rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

At Kruger Family Industries, parent company of Penda Corporation and TriEnda Holdings, our passion is to bring great products to life through an exceptional area of thermoformed solutions. We are the North America leader in heavy gauge thermoformed plastics. We are committed to delivering highly engineered, high quality material handling products and automotive accessories that reduce the weight and cost of traditional composite, fiberglass, wood and metal products, making this an opportunity to work in an innovative environment during an exciting growth phase.
SUMMARY
The CNC Programmer / Pattern Maker is the key technical resource responsible for leading KFI's
in-house pattern-making operation at the Portage facility. This person owns the entire pattern build
process from start to finish, including schedule management, CAM programming, CNC machining,
3D printed pattern trimming, finishing, and inspection. The role carries full accountability for pattern
completion dates and is expected to proactively communicate schedule status to Engineering and
Operations stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Wood & Ren Board Fabrication: Build, construct, and CNC machine master patterns, plugs, and molds from scratch using hardwood, plywood, Ren Shape/polyurethane tooling boards, and epoxy.
  • CNC Machining of 3D Printed Tools: Set up and operate 3-axis and 5-axis CNC routers and mills to precisely machine, trim, and finish 3D-printed polymer patterns into production-ready thermoforming plugs.
  • Aluminum Mold Maintenance & Modification: Modify, repair, and rework existing cast aluminum molds when engineering changes or production wear require updates; perform precise drilling, milling, and manual bench work on aluminum tooling.
  • Post-Processing & Surface Finishing: Sand, fill, polish, and apply heat-resistant coatings to machined 3D prints, wood, Ren board, and aluminum surfaces to achieve optimal, defect-free finishes.
  • Apply Draft & Venting: Inspect all tooling to guarantee proper draft angles for clean part release, and drill or clear precise vacuum vent holes to optimize production airflow.
  • CNC Programming & G-Code: Load, test, and optimize CNC programs; perform basic G-code edits at the controller to accommodate variations in wood, printed polymers, and cast aluminum.
  • Inspect & Verify: Use calipers, micrometers, and depth gauges to inspect finished tools, ensuring they maintain tight engineering tolerances (± 0.005").
  • Engineering Collaboration: Partner with the on-site design engineering team to provide feedback on 3D print machining allowances, material stock, and aluminum mold design updates.
  • Perform all duties in compliance with regulatory requirements as well as company policies and procedures

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • High school diploma/GED required; CNC machining certification, tool & die certification, or trade apprenticeship preferred.
  • 3+ years of experience in CNC machining, pattern making, mold making, or precision tool/die fabrication.
  • Proven experience machining and working with a wide range of materials, including wood, Ren shape/tooling board, plastics (ABS), and metals (cast aluminum).
  • Proven track record setting up and running CNC mills or large-format routers. Strong traditional model shop bench-work skills are essential.
  • Strong ability to read 3D engineering files, blueprints, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluency in English is required. The ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents and the ability to effectively present information to all levels of employees including top management in a variety of settings is required.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described in this section are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, talk, walk, hear, reach with hands and arms, stoop and bend. The employee must seldom lift and/or move more than 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. This position requires work around machinery, aluminum/wood chips, shop dust, and finishing resins.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described in this section are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The production area temperatures can fluctuate significantly based on the time of year. The noise levels can be moderate to high. The use of hearing protection and safety eyewear is required while on production floor. The use of additional specific safety equipment may be required. The noise level in the office is usually quiet. The noise level in production is usually moderate.
WORK AVAILABLITY AND TRAVEL
Must have the ability to work all shift schedules, periodic overtime and be available for periodic weekend work. Travel requirements: <10%
***Don't meet every single requirement? KFI is dedicated to building a diverse, well-rounded team and appreciate authentic backgrounds and experiences.. so if you think you'd be a good fit for what you just read, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply anyways! We are always willing to train those who are motivated to learn and you may be just the right candidate for a position with our growing company!***
KFI is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
This is a direct-hire opportunity with KFI. KFI is interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

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