Learning about the day-to-day tasks and workflow of a CAD Coordinator is essential before committing to this career path. If you already work as a CAD Designer or Drafter, you might have a good idea of what goes into a CAD Coordinator position. However, if you are starting your career, mastering the specifics of the daily routine can help you decide whether or not the CAD Coordinator role is for you—especially that of a Firmwide CAD Coordinator. Read on for more about the day-to-day life of CAD Coordinators in some of the many fields where they work.

Skills, tools, and daily tasks can differ widely for CAD Coordinators, depending on factors like their industry or sector, experience level, and even the size of the organization that hires them. Read on for more about the day-to-day life of CAD Coordinators in some of the many fields where they work.

What is a CAD Coordinator?

A CAD Coordinator generally provides support for design, engineering, or manufacturing teams. Responsibilities for CAD Coordinator positions vary widely, and different industries can have unique requirements and unusual job titles. They can range from updating software to providing training or maintaining CAD standards.

CAD Coordinators may design and prepare electronic working plans, maps, and project drawings. Others receive customer 2D drawings and prepare them for release to a CAD design or engineering team. Firmwide CAD Coordinators typically work in a supervisory capacity, managing and coordinating all CAD-related activities.

CAD Coordinators are oftentimes experts in building information modeling (BIM), and some positions have titles like CAD/BIM Design Coordinator. These roles are often comparable to those with titles like Firmwide CAD Coordinator, which means they support multiple design and engineering teams. Read on for additional requirements and specifics for this unique position.

CAD Coordinator Specializations

The first task for a future CAD Coordinator is to determine their preferred industry or sector. Each sector or subsector can require varying skill sets and experience levels for this essential role. CAD Coordinators work in architecture, civil engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), manufacturing, product design, or another industry. Furthermore, a Firmwide CAD Coordinator may need specific management skills and experience beyond the scope of those for a CAD Coordinator in a smaller organization.

Many CAD Coordinators begin their careers as CAD Drafters or Designers, and their experience with 2D and 3D drawing or drafting can be crucial in their day-to-day life. For example, someone who works as a Mechanical Designer for a consulting firm might want to become a BIM Coordinator specializing in CAD. Working in an entry-level Designer or Drafter role can help a future CAD Coordinator better understand the ins and outs of working in a sector like construction or product design, which can help determine whether this specialization is the best.

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Starting Your Day

Because the CAD Coordinator position differs from industry to industry, not all organizations function alike. CAD Coordinators can work in architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, operations, or product design. Those in the manufacturing or product design fields may work especially differently than those in the AECO realm. However, whatever their industry or sector, these highly skilled professionals can expect full schedules with multiple daily responsibilities.

Consequently, most CAD Coordinators will start their day with some review of the upcoming schedule, drawings to approve, and meetings to attend. The day can begin with a commute to their office (or a job site if a construction team needs them there), getting some coffee or tea, booting up the computer, and signing in to check email. CAD Coordinators who work remotely or on a part-time contract basis may have more flexible hours but still need to meet production or construction deadlines.

9 AM: Daily Review & Message Response

Many CAD Coordinators start their day by responding to Slack messages or emails and reviewing 2D or 3D technical drawings. However, this varies by industry. Some organizations require end-of-day reviews, whereas others want the CAD Coordinator to review work each morning.

Workplaces and workstations for CAD Coordinators can vary by industry and organization, just like the differences among specializations. Some are cubicles, others individual offices, and others co-working spaces. Freelance CAD Coordinators and those who work remotely can usually set up their workspaces as they choose, although many companies will have specific requirements for remote or contract workers.

Similarly, the first part of the day may be essential for coordinating with design or engineering teams to ensure the accuracy of the current work. CAD Coordinators typically must ensure designs and drawings comply with established standards, and their reviews may require them to improve and maintain AutoCAD content.

11 AM: Meetings With Team or Key Stakeholders

CAD Coordinators typically meet daily with their team, and mid- or late-morning can be the ideal time. Other team members will already have had a chance to start their day, answering emails and other messages and potentially working on current projects. Daily team meetings should be mandatory and run at least half an hour but no more than an hour.

Because CAD Coordinators can work within diverse industries, these projects vary widely. For example, a CAD Coordinator in an architectural firm might work primarily on the design side. A general contracting or construction firm might need its CAD Coordinator to work on BIM (building information management) coordination. A CAD Coordinator in manufacturing and product design might need to coordinate 2D and 3D models for anything from a washing machine to a refrigerator.

How a CAD Coordinator interacts with their teams or clients depends on multiple factors. These include the company’s size, the complexity of a project discussed, and whether one or more essential personnel work remotely. Some teams may communicate frequently through Slack or Microsoft Teams, others over Zoom, and others mainly in person.

2 PM: Working With Others

Most team meetings address topics relevant to the entire group. However, once the meeting has ended and team members return to their daily tasks, individual issues may require shorter interactions for discussion and resolution. Here, the CAD Coordinator is essential. While they must communicate updates to teams and key stakeholders, they also must work with separate departments, like the engineering or design teams.

Again, the size and complexity of an organization will impact how the CAD Coordinator will work and interface with team members and clients or customers. For example, a CAD Coordinator in a local consulting firm might work with a small core team. By contrast, a Firmwide Coordinator in a large company might train production teams in AutoCAD or Civil 3D or even teach trainers how to instruct local or regional CAD Coordinators and other end users.

Many day-to-day tasks for a CAD Coordinator will take place around meetings and communications like email and instant messages. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Managing drawings, designs, or maps
  • Redlining and version control
  • Maintaining CAD software systems
  • Maintaining CAD files and information
  • Preparing itemized bills of materials

5 PM: Daily Wrap-Up

CAD Coordinator skills include prioritizing and time management, and their daily wrap-up typically reflects these skill sets. By day’s end, the Coordinator should be able to track progress on one or more projects. If a project was completed that day, they may need to submit project completion information to multiple teams or other key stakeholders. 

Projects in process should also be monitored daily with special attention to upcoming deadlines. CAD Coordinators usually break their work tasks into manageable steps. This might include creating lists and checking off each item when completed. Calendar management will include prioritizing duties or responsibilities requested by the Coordinator’s director or supervisor.

After Hours

Some CAD Coordinators work a predictable 40-hour week with little to no requirement for overtime. However, CAD Coordinators in some industries may have to visit job sites periodically, especially in fields that include large infrastructure or commercial construction projects. Scheduling these meetings requires travel and can thus affect the regular schedule. Some organizations will expect their CAD Coordinator to be available on-call in cases of emergency. This is especially true in the case of complex projects.

Professional development for CAD Coordinators is an essential consideration for after-hours. Many CAD Coordinators hold certification credentials such as the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or Revit. Others learn supplemental skills through continuing education units (CEUs) or continuing education credits (CECs) in disciplines like computer-assisted drafting, engineering drafting, or mechanical drawing.

Finally, many CAD Coordinators network with other area professionals or join industry-specific professional organizations. Networking can include everything from LinkedIn to in-person groups like BNI (Business Network International), and industry-specific professional organizations can include anything from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) to the Association for Computer-Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA).

Learn the Skills to Become a CAD Coordinator at Noble Desktop

While some CAD roles will require expertise in a system software like SolidWorks from Dassault Systèmes, most will require AutoCAD. Training for a CAD Coordinator role typically starts with one or more Autodesk programs, from AutoCAD to Revit, Fusion 360, and Navisworks.

Noble Desktop provides multiple AutoCAD training options for individuals and organizations. Their AutoCAD Level I class is an 18-hour program available live online via teleconferencing or in person at their state-of-the-art Manhattan headquarters. Beginners learn to create drawings for architectural or mechanical applications. Although in-person classes focus on AutoCAD for PC, Mac users may attend online. Noble offers intermediate and advanced training through AutoCAD Levels II and III classes.

Applicants can save by taking AutoCAD Level I within one of several immersive programs. The following courses include beginner to intermediate or advanced AutoCAD training:

  • AutoCAD Bootcamp - The comprehensive AutoCAD Bootcamp combines AutoCAD Levels I and II for a total of 30 hours of training. Attendees learn basic and intermediate AutoCAD skills like drawing, editing, advanced layer techniques, and data tables in a beginner-friendly curriculum.
  • AutoCAD Masterclass - Noble Desktop’s AutoCAD Masterclass adds an 18-hour advanced AutoCAD Level III course to the AutoCAD Bootcamp modules. While also open to beginners, this 48-hour program covers advanced object types and interface techniques. Graduates rate the AutoCAD Masterclass highly, 4.7 out of 5 stars. 
  • AutoCAD Certification Program - The 54-hour AutoCAD Certification Program adds six hours of private tutoring to the AutoCAD Masterclass curriculum to prepare students to sit for the Autodesk Certificated Professional in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting exam. Tuition also covers proctoring for the exam and a free retake if needed. Attendees can substitute an additional hour of tutoring in place of the exam if they choose. 

Courses like the certification program can help professional AutoCAD users stand out from the field in a crowded job market. However, Autodesk also suggests that the certification exam usually requires between 400 and 1,200 on-the-job hours using the AutoCAD software to prepare for testing