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Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Senior Design Engineer

Wauwatosa, WI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Engineering Location: PDC Workplace Category: Onsite Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Full or ... This role works collaboratively with industrial design, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, service ...

Senior Design Engineer

Wauwatosa, WI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Engineering Location: PDC Workplace Category: Onsite Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Full or ... This role works collaboratively with industrial design, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, service ...

Senior Design Engineer

Wauwatosa, WI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Engineering Location: PDC Workplace Category: Onsite Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Full or ... This role works collaboratively with industrial design, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, service ...

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Showing results 1-20

Industrial Design Engineer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$55K

$72.8K

$92.9K

How much do industrial design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for industrial design engineer in Wisconsin is $72,841.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,600.00 and $80,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an industrial design engineer do?

An Industrial Design Engineer combines creativity and engineering principles to design and improve products, focusing on both aesthetics and functionality. They work on developing concepts, creating prototypes, and ensuring products are user-friendly, manufacturable, and cost-effective. Their role often involves collaborating with engineers, marketers, and manufacturers to bring innovative products from idea to production. Industrial Design Engineers play a key role in industries such as automotive, electronics, consumer goods, and medical devices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an industrial design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Industrial Design Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, product design, and manufacturing processes, often supported by a degree in industrial design or engineering. Proficiency in CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), prototyping tools, and familiarity with materials and production systems is essential. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and translating ideas into manufacturable products. These skills ensure innovative, functional, and cost-effective product solutions that meet both user needs and manufacturing requirements.

What is an industrial design engineer?

Industrial design engineering is the development and design of products for everyday use, such as appliances, electronics, and toys. Industrial design engineers research how consumers may use a product, form designs on blueprints or through virtual models, and determines needed materials and manufacturing costs. Many different industries use industrial design engineering, including vehicle manufacturers, consumer electronics companies, and furniture fabricators. Depending on whether you want to focus more on design or engineering in this field, you should pursue an MFA in design or an MS in engineering.

What is the difference between Industrial Design Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectIndustrial Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Industrial Design, Engineering, or related field; often includes design certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field; engineering licenses may be preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, product development teams, client meetingsEngineering labs, manufacturing facilities, CAD design environments
Industry UsageConsumer products, furniture, electronics, brandingMachinery, automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Industrial Design Engineers focus on the aesthetic, user experience, and ergonomic aspects of products, often working closely with clients and marketing teams. Mechanical Design Engineers concentrate on the functionality, durability, and technical specifications of mechanical systems. While both roles require engineering knowledge, their primary focus areas and work environments differ, making them distinct career paths within product development.

What are some common challenges industrial design engineers face when balancing aesthetics with functionality?

Industrial Design Engineers often encounter the challenge of creating products that are not only visually appealing but also practical and manufacturable. Balancing innovative design concepts with material constraints, cost limitations, and engineering requirements can be complex. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as marketing, manufacturing, and engineering—is key to ensuring that the final product meets both user needs and production capabilities. Strong communication and iterative prototyping help address these challenges effectively.

What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Industrial Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Wisconsin with the most Industrial Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Industrial Design Engineer job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,841 per year, or $35 per hour.

Industrial Design Engineer

MRA Recruiting Services

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 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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