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Prototype Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Promega

Packaging Engineer Co-Op

Madison, WI · On-site

We have full design and prototyping capabilities for all materials in-house. YOUR ROLE: Support the development of packaging designs, materials, and processes, and recommend improvements from concept ...

VeeRteq Solutions Inc.

UX Designer

Waunakee, WI · On-site

Roles and Responsibilities · Use participatory design methods (e.g., paper prototyping, co-creation sessions, card sorting) to uncover vision, business models, assumptions, and implicit knowledge ...

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Promega

Packaging Engineer Co-Op

Madison, WI

We have full design and prototyping capabilities for all materials in-house. YOUR ROLE: Support the development of packaging designs, materials, and processes, and recommend improvements from concept ...

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All JobsPrototype JobsPrototype Jobs in Madison, WI

Prototype information

See Madison, WI salary details

$15

$26

$50

How much do prototype jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype in Madison, WI is $26.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.34 and $27.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prototype?

Prototypes are early models or samples of a product built to test a concept or process. They allow designers, engineers, and stakeholders to explore ideas, evaluate functionality, and identify potential issues before full-scale production begins. Prototypes can range from simple sketches or mockups to fully functional models, depending on the stage of development and the goals of the project. Creating a prototype helps teams gather feedback, refine designs, and make informed decisions for the final product.

What is the difference between Prototype vs Product Designer?

AspectPrototype
RoleCreates interactive models to test concepts and functionality
SkillsUI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping tools, user testing
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, product development, user experience departments
CertificationsDesign certifications, UX certifications, proficiency in prototyping tools

While a Prototype focuses on building interactive models to test ideas, a Product Designer oversees the entire product development process, including user experience, visual design, and functionality. Prototypes are tools used within the product design process, making the roles complementary but distinct.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in prototype development roles?

Professionals in prototype development often encounter challenges such as tight project deadlines, evolving design requirements, and the need to rapidly iterate based on stakeholder feedback. Collaboration between engineers, designers, and product managers is crucial, as prototypes frequently require interdisciplinary input and quick problem-solving. Additionally, balancing innovation with practicality—ensuring the prototype is both creative and feasible for further development—can be demanding but is highly rewarding for those who enjoy dynamic, hands-on work environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prototype engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prototype Engineer, you need strong skills in mechanical design, fabrication techniques, and a relevant engineering degree or technical certification. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printing, CNC machinery, and rapid prototyping tools is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this position. These skills are crucial for efficiently turning design concepts into functional prototypes that drive product innovation.

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

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

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

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

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Prototype jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Prototype job openings:

Prototype jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prototype job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,726 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

New Product Industrial Designer

Spectrum Brands

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Spectrum Brands rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Division Information
The Home & Garden business unit of Spectrum Brands is based in St. Louis, Missouri with distribution, manufacturing and sales offices throughout the US and globe. We are a leading supplier of consumer products nationally for the home, lawn and garden, insect and weed control markets. We deliver groundbreaking products of exceptional value and top-notch quality to consumers with our well-recognized brands including Spectracide®, Hot Shot®, Cutter®, Repel®, Black Flag®, Garden Safe®, EcoLogic® and Liquid Fence®.
Job Summary
Location - this hybrid role is located in Earth City, MO corporate office. Relocation assistance may be provided for candidates who are not currently located within commuting distance of the position.
The New Product Industrial Designer is integral to the new product development process within Spectrum Brands' Home & Garden's Research and Development team. The designer will translate consumers' desires and needs into new, consumer-focused delivery systems and devices. This role will work closely with engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and other R&D functions to design and prototype innovative new products. The industrial designer will have a knowledge base of industrial design processes that contribute to designing products with the highest levels of usability, ergonomics, form, function, and market trend relevance. This position requires a high level of technical proficiency and engineering knowledge. This role will be at the forefront of product development and will provide new ideas, new processes, and new capabilities to develop, test, and learn with consumers at the core of the process.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
Consumer Focused Design
  • Ability to understand consumer insights and extrapolate that to develop new, unique consumer experiences and products
  • An outspoken proponent for consumer-led innovation within the organization by driving a consumer-first mentality when developing new products
  • Work collaboratively with other departments including Marketing, New Product Development, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to develop innovation opportunities

Design Execution
  • Develop design concepts with a focus on ergonomics, form, and function for hard and packaged goods through concept sketching and rendering
  • Leverage software to bring ideas to life by creating aesthetic solid models and digital rendering (2D and 3D)
  • Develop quick physical form study models and mockups utilizing our rapid and mechanical prototyping lab through a concept - prototype - iterate - repeat approach
  • Model, prototype, and test looks-like and functional prototypes through rapid prototyping and conventional fabrication techniques
  • Create compelling new products with technical expertise that will delight consumers and fulfill consumers' unmet needs
  • Develop key supplier relationships to help accelerate product implementation
  • Ability to flex between an aesthetic design mentality and a technical, functional mindset
  • Actively participate in technical and consumer focused brainstorm sessions
  • Incorporate new capabilities in AI generation and iterational development.
  • Assist in maintaining both mechanical prototype machinery (table saw, band saw, etc.) and rapid prototyping machinery (FDM, PolyJet, etc)

Education and Experience Profile
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design
  • 4+ years of experience in industrial design
  • 3+ years in hard goods design execution
  • Proficiency in Acrobat Pro, SolidWorks (or other 3D modeling software), Keyshot, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), PowerPoint
  • Experience in consumer-packaged goods preferred
  • Consumer science experience with ability to assist in consumer research through central location tests, ethnographies, and in-home usage tests is preferred
  • A portfolio that showcases design expertise with creative thinking, design thinking, problem solving, aesthetics, prototyping, and iterative design development
  • Knowledge of materials used for hard and packaged goods production through processes such as injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, etc.
  • Strong collaboration skills, partnering with internal and external stakeholders on aesthetic design, part moldability, assembly, and design-for-manufacturing
  • An always learning mindset with a strong curiosity and desire to fail fast to learn quickly
  • Project and time management capabilities to execute project priorities and deliverables in a timely and efficient manner
  • An advanced knowledge of design-for-manufacturing and the ability to work closely with mechanical engineering to execute on product design is a must
  • Role not eligible for sponsorship

Required Skills
  • Strong sketching and conceptual abilities
  • Exceptional sense of design to create visually appealing and user-friendly products
  • Ability to set priorities and reconcile directions from competing interests
  • Consumer-led design mindset and processes
  • Advanced proficiency in 3D modeling (SolidWorks, Siemens NX)
  • Skilled proficiency in 3D rendering (Keyshot preferred)
  • Strongly skilled in rapid and mechanical fabrication capabilities with a hands-on development approach
  • Proficient in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) to maintain version control of CAD components and design documentation
  • Experience with StageGate processes
  • Skilled proficiency in hard goods and consumer packaged goods manufacturing and assembly to scale up for commercialization
  • Ability to organize and carry out multiple projects with attention to detail
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are fundamental

Work Environment
Working conditions are normal for an office environment
This is a hybrid role which allows for work from home on Monday and Friday and work in the office, Tuesday through Thursday.
Relocation assistance may be provided for candidates who are not currently located within commuting distance of the position.
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job/classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Spectrum Brands is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
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