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Pattern Making Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Institech

Foundry Tooling Manager

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

Provide technical training and mentorship to Pattern Makers and other team members. Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in tooling and pattern making.

Lands' End

Apparel Design Co-op

Dodgeville, WI

Basic fit and pattern making skills. * Passion for current fashion and emerging trends. * Ability to work with a variety of work styles as well as the ability to work independently, flexible

Lands' End

Technical Design Co-op

Dodgeville, WI

Basic fit and pattern making skills. * Passion for current fashion and emerging trends. * Ability to work with a variety of work styles as well as the ability to work independently, flexible

Lands' End

Technical Design Co-op

Dodgeville, WI · On-site

Basic fit and pattern making skills. * Passion for current fashion and emerging trends. * Ability to work with a variety of work styles as well as the ability to work independently, flexible

Lands' End

Apparel Design Co-op

Dodgeville, WI · On-site

Basic fit and pattern making skills. * Passion for current fashion and emerging trends. * Ability to work with a variety of work styles as well as the ability to work independently, flexible

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Engineer

Waupaca, WI

Work with other pattern personnel to determine tooling rework strategies. * Responsible for making recommendations in regard to process improvements as well as new technology. * Train personnel as ...

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Engineer

Waupaca, WI · On-site

Work with other pattern personnel to determine tooling rework strategies. * Responsible for making recommendations in regard to process improvements as well as new technology. * Train personnel as ...

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Designer

Waupaca, WI

Work with other pattern personnel to determine tooling rework strategies. * Responsible for making recommendations in regard to process improvements as well as new technology. * Train personnel as ...

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.

Tooling Designer

Waupaca, WI · On-site

Work with other pattern personnel to determine tooling rework strategies. * Responsible for making recommendations in regard to process improvements as well as new technology. * Train personnel as ...

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All JobsPattern Making JobsPattern Making Jobs in Wisconsin

Pattern Making information

See Wisconsin salary details

$33.8K

$78.1K

$127.2K

How much do pattern making jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for pattern making in Wisconsin is $78,100.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,400.00 and $86,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by pattern makers in the apparel industry?

Pattern Makers often encounter challenges such as accommodating unique design specifications while ensuring garments maintain proper fit and functionality. Balancing creative vision with technical limitations, especially when working with new fabrics or manufacturing processes, can require innovative problem-solving. Additionally, managing tight deadlines and frequent iterations with design and production teams demands strong organizational skills. Collaborating closely with designers, sample makers, and production staff is key to overcoming these challenges and achieving high-quality, finished products.

What is pattern making?

A Pattern Making job involves creating templates or blueprints for garments, accessories, or other textile-based products. Pattern makers translate design sketches into accurate patterns that guide the cutting and sewing process in production. They use specialized software or manual techniques to ensure proper fit, proportions, and construction details. Precision and attention to detail are essential, as patterns dictate the final look and functionality of a product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in pattern making?

To thrive in Pattern Making, a strong understanding of garment construction, dimensional accuracy, and textile properties is essential, often supported by coursework or experience in fashion design or apparel technology. Familiarity with pattern drafting software like Gerber, Optitex, or CAD systems is typically required, and formal certifications can be an advantage. Attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for success in this role. These skills ensure the creation of functional, well-fitting garments and facilitate smooth collaboration within the production team.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pattern Making jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Pattern Making jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Pattern Making jobs in Wisconsin? For Pattern Making jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pattern Making jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Pattern Making jobs in Wisconsin are:
Pattern Making jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pattern Making job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,100 per year, or $37.5 per hour.

CNC Programmer & Pattern Maker

Kruger Family Industries

Portage, WI • On-site

$28.25 - $38.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 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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