Software Design Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI
Software Design Engineer jobs in Madison are concentrated on the Near East Side and University Research Park corridor, with strong demand across medtech, enterprise software, and scientific instrumentation, from UW-Madison's tech spinouts to established employers like Kapur and Associates, Kapur & Associates, and Bock Water Heaters. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary
The Design Engineer position requires a robust knowledge of engineering principles, paired with strong planning and design skills, to support product development and enhancement goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Apply engineering principles such as heat transfer and fluid dynamics to support the development of high-quality water heating products.
Design water heater parts and subassemblies that meet the fit, form, and functional requirements of the final assembly.
Conduct and delegate lab tests to support product development and performance enhancement projects.
Analyze data in accordance with government and industry standards using engineering and statistical methods.
Support agency approval projects by conducting or overseeing standardized tests and managing file updates.
Work closely with vendors to develop new components from concept through approval.
Create 3D models and 2D drawings of new and existing products using SolidWorks.
Document design changes using the Engineering Change Notice (ECN) procedure and support manufacturing implementation.
Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to implement new products into production.
Provide technical assistance to Product Support and Sales Managers.
Provide engineering support to process improvement teams in manufacturing.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
Provide engineering support to Bock’s sister company, Tank Technology, Inc.
Assist with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to illustrate proper assembly and testing methods for water heaters and components.
Develop programs for the LabVIEW data acquisition system for product testing.
Troubleshoot production quality issues.
Attend at least one job-related training per year.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Working Conditions
Typical office and testing environment.
Travel to conferences and trade shows required.
Frequent standing, bending, kneeling, or crouching in a lab environment.
Occasional weekend or evening work and overnight travel may be required.
Education and Experience
Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering required.
3–5 years of experience in mechanical engineering or a related field required.
Strong technical understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics required.
Strong mechanical aptitude required.
Intermediate proficiency in AutoCAD and SolidWorks to produce accurate drawings.
Experience with CFD simulation preferred.
Familiarity with LabVIEW data acquisition systems preferred.
Experience interpreting and applying construction and performance standards preferred.
Basic knowledge of plumbing, appliance venting, and electrical wiring preferred.
Knowledge of government and industry standards preferred.
Basic knowledge of combustion preferred.
Understanding of communication principles and practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and MRP-related software.
Skills and Abilities
Maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Perform mathematical calculations and analyze statistical data with a high degree of accuracy.
Communicate clearly and effectively, selecting appropriate content and delivery methods.
Demonstrate sound decision-making by analyzing data and considering outcomes.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
Ability to plan and achieve goals, including sequencing tasks and estimating timelines.
Strong problem-solving skills, including identifying issues, evaluating solutions, and implementing action plans.
Ability to participate in and facilitate group meetings.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for presentations.
Ability to follow procedures while constructively and diplomatically challenging ideas.
Behavioral Characteristics and Communication
Demonstrate confidence and knowledge while remaining approachable.
Apply and promote best practices.
Communicate honestly and respectfully.
Maintain composure in stressful situations.
Represent the company positively to the public and colleagues.
Work cooperatively with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Key Cultural Competencies
Adaptability: Flexible and receptive to change.
Approachability: Listens attentively and responds appropriately.
Collaboration: Actively engages others to achieve goals.
Ethics and Integrity: Upholds strong ethical standards and addresses misconduct.
Personal Accountability: Takes responsibility for actions and learns from experiences.
Trust and Respect: Demonstrates reliability, openness, and respect for all employees.
About the Company
Bock Water Heaters, a subsidiary of Bradford White Corporation, is 100% employee-owned. The company’s success is driven by its dedicated owner-employees. We remain strong, innovative, responsible, and financially sound while manufacturing a complete “Made in America” product.
Employee ownership extends beyond financial participation—it includes a shared responsibility to improve processes, products, and people. We seek individuals who are engaged, enthusiastic, collaborative, and motivated to grow and be challenged.
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Find Software Design Engineer JobsSoftware Design Engineer Job Market in Madison
Who's Hiring
- Kapur and Associates5K
- Kapur & Associates3

- Bock Water Heaters2B
- Sub-Zero Group2

- Michael Baker International2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services4
- Energy1
- Education1
- Manufacturing1
- Accounting & Auditing1
Software Design Engineer Jobs in Madison: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a software design engineer job in Madison?
Focus your search on Madison's medtech corridor, UW-affiliated research spinouts, and enterprise software firms clustered around University Research Park and the Near East Side. Employers here tend to prioritize candidates with embedded systems, firmware, or hardware-software integration experience. Attending UW-Madison career fairs, engaging with local IEEE chapters, and building a portfolio that reflects Madison's dominant instrumentation and life sciences sectors gives candidates a concrete edge over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire software design engineers in Madison?
Companies currently hiring software design engineers in Madison include Kapur and Associates, Kapur & Associates, and Bock Water Heaters, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Madison's hiring pool skews toward medical device manufacturers, scientific equipment makers, and SaaS companies with deep roots in the university research ecosystem.
Are there remote software design engineer jobs in Madison?
Yes, though roles with embedded systems or hardware validation components tend to require significant on-site time. About 29% of software design engineer openings tied to Madison are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with the highest flexibility found in firmware tooling, test automation, and application-layer development roles. Companies in Madison's enterprise SaaS sector offer the most fully remote positions for this title.
How can I get a software design engineer job in Madison with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Madison is targeting co-op and new-grad programs at medtech and instrumentation employers, many of which have longstanding pipelines with UW-Madison's College of Engineering. Entry-level roles with titles like associate software engineer or systems test engineer frequently convert to full software design engineer positions. Demonstrating hands-on work with embedded C, real-time operating systems, or hardware-in-the-loop testing in a portfolio strengthens applications at Madison's hardware-adjacent employers more than credentials alone.
Which industries hire the most software design engineers in Madison?
The sectors hiring the most software design engineers in Madison are Consulting & Professional Services, Energy, and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Madison's concentration of medical device companies, university research commercialization, and precision manufacturing creates sustained demand for engineers who work at the intersection of software and physical systems.
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