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Hardware Design Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$110K - $133K/yr

We're looking for a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer eager to take on advanced engineering ... Lead design reviews, cross-functional development teams, and support prototype hardware builds from ...

FPGA Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$131K - $168K/yr

Hardware/Software Design: Work closely with other engineers to integrate FPGA designs with application software and embedded systems. Implement embedded software-based testing solutions where ...

Showing results 41-60

Hardware Design Engineer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$70.2K

$148.9K

$217K

How much do hardware design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for hardware design engineer in Wisconsin is $148,891.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,100.00 and $175,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hardware Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Hardware Design Engineer, you generally need a strong background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Altium Designer, Cadence, or OrCAD, and knowledge of simulation and testing equipment are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills that help you innovate and troubleshoot efficiently. These skills and qualities ensure reliable hardware development, seamless collaboration, and successful project outcomes in a competitive tech industry.

What are Hardware Design Engineers?

Hardware Design Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test physical components and systems for electronic devices. They work on creating circuit boards, microprocessors, memory devices, and other hardware used in computers, smartphones, and various electronic products. These engineers use specialized software tools to plan and simulate hardware designs before building and evaluating prototypes. Their work is essential for bringing new technology products to market and improving existing devices.

What are some typical challenges Hardware Design Engineers face when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Hardware Design Engineers often work closely with firmware, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of their designs. A common challenge is aligning the hardware specifications with changing software requirements or manufacturing constraints, which may require iterative design adjustments. Effective communication and documentation are essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that all teams are synchronized throughout the product development cycle. Building strong relationships across disciplines can greatly enhance the efficiency and success of collaborative projects.

What Does a Hardware Design Engineer Do?

A hardware design engineer uses their advanced knowledge of computer systems and schematics to develop and build useful hardware. Their duties include identifying hardware needs, building new hardware pieces, and testing and analyzing the results to ensure the system works as desired. Hardware design engineers must have in-depth knowledge of computer components and processes to understand internet-ready computer systems. They must maintain their knowledge of the latest software and networking needs so they can design hardware that interacts with the internet appropriately. Hardware design engineers work in teams with software developers to ensure that all components are capable of working together.

What is the difference between Hardware Design Engineer vs Electronics Engineer?

AspectHardware Design EngineerElectronics Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing hardware components and systemsDesigning, testing, and troubleshooting electronic circuits and devices
Required SkillsCircuit design, PCB layout, hardware testingCircuit analysis, component selection, electronic testing
Work EnvironmentHardware labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsElectronics labs, research centers, manufacturing
Common CertificationsIEEE certifications, PCB design certificationsCertified Electronics Technician (CET), IEEE certifications

While both roles involve working with electronic systems, Hardware Design Engineers focus on creating physical hardware components like circuit boards, whereas Electronics Engineers often work on electronic circuit design, testing, and troubleshooting. Both roles are essential in electronics development and often collaborate in product development cycles.

What job categories do people searching Hardware Design Engineer jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Hardware Design Engineer jobs in Wisconsin are:
Infographic showing various Hardware Design Engineer job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $148,891 per year, or $71.6 per hour.

Physical Security Design Engineer

HEARTLAND BUSINESS SYSTEMS LLC

Little Chute, WI • On-site

$134K - $138K/yr

Other

Posted 16 days ago


Heartland Business Systems rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 220 rated it services


Job description

Description

Position Summary:

The Physical Security Design Engineer is a senior consulting and solution design role responsible for translating customer business needs into well-defined physical security solutions. With a broad understanding of physical security and cabling systems, this role is primarily focused on solution design, system functionality, scope development, and pricing alignment. The Design Engineer works directly with customers and internal stakeholders to design video surveillance, access control, structured cabling, paging, and related solutions that meet operational and business requirements. This role also partners closely with implementation teams to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment between the designed solution and field execution.


Roles and Responsibilities/ Essential Functions:

  • Design physical security and low-voltage solutions that align with customer business, operational, and technical requirements.
  • Develop solution scopes, bills of material, system layouts, and design documentation.
  • Support pricing alignment by ensuring proposed solutions are accurate, complete, and technically sound.
  • Work directly with customers, sales, and internal stakeholders to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
  • Provide technical consultation related to system functionality, constructability, scalability, and user experience.
  • Ensure alignment between designed solutions and implementation expectations.
  • Partner with Project Managers, Engineers, Foremen, and field teams to support smooth project handoff and execution.
  • Review project changes, design revisions, and field feedback to maintain solution accuracy.
  • Support standardization and continuous improvement of design practices and technical documentation.
  • Contribute to a positive customer experience through consultative engagement and solution accuracy.
  • Meet annual billable hour goal, as defined by HBS. This number may change over time as the business evolves. 

Requirements

Competencies:

  • Accountability: Accountability looks at the extent to which an individual is willing to accept responsibility. 
  • Active Listening: Active listening looks at the extent to which an individual actively attends to, conveys, and understands the comments and questions of others. 
  • Adaptability: Adaptability looks at the extent to which an individual can fit into a changing working environment. 
  • Assertiveness- Ability to act in a self-confident manner to facilitate completion of a work assignment or to defend a position or idea.
  • Communication, Oral: Oral Communication skills looks at the extent to which an individual communicates with economy and clarity, actively engaging in conversations in order to clearly understand others' message and intent and receives and processes feedback. 
  • Conflict Resolution- Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation.
  • Customer Oriented: Customer orientation implies a desire to serve both external and internal clients by focusing effort on meeting the client's needs, understanding their concerns, and seeking to build trust. 
  • Decision Making: Decision making skills look at the ability of the individual to select an effective course of action while controlling resources and expenditures. 
  • Delegating Responsibility - Ability to allocate authority and/or task responsibility to appropriate people.
  • Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
  • Problem Solving: Problem solving skills looks at the ability of the individual to recognize courses of action which can be taken to handle problems or potential problems and applying contingency plans to solve those problems. 
  • Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers.
  • Resource Management - Ability to obtain and appropriate the proper usage of equipment, facilities, materials, as well as personnel.
  • Strategic Planning - ability to develop a vision for the future and create a culture in which the long-range goals can be achieved
  • Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines
  • Working Under Pressure: Working under pressure looks at the ability of the individual to maintain composure when exposed to stress. 

Required Experience:

  • 5+ years experience with Access Control, Surveillance, and/or Low Voltage Cabling systems and associated hardware/software.

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience programming, configuring, and testing video surveillance, access control, paging, and/or related systems.
  • Experience reading and understanding project requirements and technical drawings.
  • Experience designing physical security and related solutions that align with customer business, operational, and technical requirements.
  • Consulting Experience

Required Skills, Education and/ or Certifications required:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience 
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite
  • Basic Knowledge of Computers 
  • Ability to use basic hand tools and power tools


Preferred Skills, Education and/ or Certifications:

  • Associates Degree or Equivalent Experience 



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