CAD Designer Job Search Tips & Best Practices

Those looking to become CAD Designers should know where to find and apply for open CAD positions. Most jobs are posted and applied for online and it is common for CAD Designers to upload their resumes and search for jobs on large job sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn. Industry recruiting sites, like Randstad, are also a good place to find CAD jobs, provided they keep their listings updated. CAD Designers have also had luck with researching architecture firms, mechanical engineering firms, or government agencies in their local area to see if these organizations and businesses are posting open positions on more niche, area-based websites. Prospective CAD Designers will likely use more than one method in their job search and you can read on to learn more about where to start looking for open CAD jobs and important professional networking opportunities.

Indeed, Glassdoor, & ZipRecruiter

Indeed, Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter are fairly standard places for employers to list jobs for all positions and industries and for job seekers to find and apply for jobs. When searching for CAD jobs, you will want to use these sites as they will have some of the best variety of CAD positions, and the listings are frequently updated. All three sites also aim to match users to job postings, so if your resume has the right keywords and skills you will be shown job listings that are tailored to your own experience. Many CAD job seekers do find that they end up applying to quite a lot of jobs without hearing back from potential employers when using these sites, so you will likely want to use other methods when job hunting (some of which are listed below) along with searching on Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. 

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a well-known social networking site where users can create their own detailed job profiles to attract employers and apply to positions posted on LinkedIn’s platform. For a CAD Designer, LinkedIn has a dual purpose of keeping you connected to former and current colleagues and managers and connecting you with prospective future coworkers and employers. Self-motivated individuals will not only apply to jobs posted on LinkedIn but also use the site to build relationships with other CAD Designers and potential employers. Many people find jobs through someone they know or have worked with or for, so it is vital to consider using a site like LinkedIn to showcase your skills and keep your work on the radar of those who are in positions to hire CAD Designers. 

Randstad

Randstad is a staffing and consulting business that works with businesses across various industries like IT, manufacturing, engineering, life sciences, and healthcare. This site has up-to-date job listings for CAD design work across the United States and will appeal to those looking for temporary or permanent positions that can be in-person or remote. Users can apply directly through Randstad and, similar to sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter, can upload their resume so that the site can match them with jobs that relate to their industry, skills, and experience. 

CAD Crowd

CAD Crowd is a website that aims to connect CAD freelancers with specific buyers and clients. This is the largest freelance site specifically dedicated to freelancers working as CAD Designers, Drafters, 3D Modelers, and Engineers. CAD Crowd has some important differences in comparison to other freelance sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Guru that one should keep in mind. While CAD Designers can create a profile and upload a professional portfolio, CAD Crowd claims to vet Designers through contests and challenges held by clients to find the best worker for their needs. This can be a great way for entry-level CAD Designers or Drafters to find work and gain experience, though the competition-style format might not be the best option for everyone. 

Apply Directly to Firms and Agencies

It is no secret that job hunting can be luck-based and that most employers end up hiring candidates whose work they are already familiar with or who come recommended by another colleague. One bit of advice prospective CAD Designers and Drafters receive is to apply directly to industry-specific firms or government agencies. These will be specific to one’s location and it can take some research to figure out which firms are hiring in your area and which will match well with your skills and needs. 

Even if you do not end up applying directly to local firms or businesses, it can be a good idea to try to build relationships with those working at these companies so that they can keep you in mind for the next open position. Looking on government job websites in your area can also yield job postings for CAD work and is something to consider during one’s job search. Searching your local Craigslist site can also be a way to find CAD work in your area. 

CAD Designer Salary and Job Outlook

CAD Designers in the US currently make an average of $68,821 per year. This total does not account for any bonuses, commissions, or extra pay that a CAD Designer will earn over a year. Additionally, this average is based on a pay range that starts at around $44,000 for entry-level positions and can go as high as about $108,000 for more experienced and highly skilled CAD Designers working in in-demand industries. 

How much money a CAD Designer will earn per year depends upon one’s industry specialization and one’s location. A CAD Designer usually will not be a generalist, though some will change industries throughout their careers. Instead, a CAD Designer will use industry-specific CAD software to create product, structure, or system designs within that particular industry. Whether you specialize in architecture, mechanical design, civil infrastructure design, or jewelry design matters to your career prospects and will impact your salary. 

The job location also matters. The largest number of commercial and industrial CAD Designers are currently employed in California, New York, Michigan, Florida, and Ohio, though one can find CAD Designer jobs in all states. While large cities often offer higher salaries, these cities have a higher cost of living which can be challenging for even high earners to afford.

The job outlook for a CAD Designer is expected to remain steady and this career is experiencing an average level of stable growth in employment from year to year. Given that CAD Designers are an essential part of manufacturing goods and building or renovating various structures, this is a relatively secure job to pursue as there will always be a need for someone with a CAD Designer’s technical skills and abilities. Currently, many companies are integrating AI into CAD software and developing Building Information Management (BIM) software, meaning it is important for a prospective CAD Designer to learn the latest software developments in their industry to remain competitive. 

Learn the Skills to Become a CAD Designer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a variety of in-person and live online classes that will teach prospective CAD Designers the skills they need to learn to be successful designers, workers, and leaders. Those wanting to learn CAD Design can find AutoCAD classes for every skill level and might also be interested in Noble’s Microsoft Office and project management classes. Every Noble class provides hands-on training from an expert instructor and class sizes are kept small so that students can receive individual attention and feedback. In-person classes are available at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan facility and live online classes can be taken from anywhere. 

Those pursuing a career in CAD Design will be particularly interested in Noble’s AutoCAD classes. If you are unsure whether learning AutoCAD is right for you, consider starting with the six-hour Introduction to AutoCAD class. This one-day class will teach basic drawing and editing techniques using AutoCAD and get complete beginners started using this software. To become proficient in AutoCAD, learners will want to take Noble Desktop’s more comprehensive or advanced AutoCAD classes, bootcamps, and certificate programs. Noble Desktop’s AutoCAD Bootcamp is a great way for beginners to learn up to intermediate-level AutoCAD quickly. Bootcamps are accelerated classes and they are one of the best options for those who want to get started using AutoCAD right away to learn necessary, career-oriented skills. 

Bootcamps are not right for every learner and prospective CAD Designers can also take individual AutoCAD classes or sign up for a masterclass to take all three levels of AutoCAD back-to-back. Beginners can take, intermediate learners can take, and advanced learners should take. Beginner-friendly AutoCAD Level I focuses on drawing fundamentals and teaches students how to organize, edit, annotate, and prepare drawings for printing. AutoCAD Level II for intermediate learners adds to this knowledge to teach students advanced and customizable layer techniques, how to create, edit, and store blocks, and how to work with external references and create data tables. Advanced learners should take AutoCAD Level III which focuses on training students how to complete AutoCAD projects from start to finish and provides advanced training in how to use the tools necessary for each project and how to use AutoCAD’s collaboration features. Those who want to take all three classes sequentially should look into signing up for the AutoCAD Masterclass. 

Beginners and those with AutoCAD experience interested in becoming an Autodesk Certified Professional should look to enroll in the AutoCAD Certification Program. This complete program of study provides beginning, intermediate, and advanced training in AutoCAD, six hours of private one-on-one tutoring, and the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam with a free retake option. Certifications are a great way to prove to employers that you have the skills necessary to be a CAD Designer and some will require certification for employment or advancement in one’s career. 

Noble offers two 3D modeling classes that CAD Designers should also consider, 3D Modeling in AutoCAD and SketchUp Pro Bootcamp. Both classes will allow students to learn how to turn 2D drawings into 3D models and will teach the foundation of 3D modeling and editing in their respective software programs. 3D Modeling in AutoCAD requires students to have familiarity with 2D drawing and teaches learners to create solids and surfaces from 2D objects and to use more advanced features of AutoCAD to edit, visualize, and refine the view of one’s models. No previous experience is necessary for the two-day SketchUp Pro Bootcamp which will walk students through the steps of creating a 3D model, working with shapes, solid tools, and text, and exporting and rending one’s 3D model.