CAD Designer Job Titles

CAD Designers will often need to specialize in a particular industry and learn the concepts, standards, regulations, and CAD software necessary to work within that industry. As such, it is common to find these roles with industry designations like Mechanical Designer, Civil Designer, or Industrial Designer. Paying attention to job titles can let you know what software, regulations, and theories to learn in addition to the basic drafting and CAD software any CAD Designer will need to master. Job title can also determine pay and rank, as entry-level titles like CAD Drafter are best for those looking to break into CAD design while lead roles like Senior CAD Designer will come with higher prestige, a higher salary, and more leadership and management responsibilities. Read on to learn more about the different skills one needs, career path options one can pursue, and job titles one will find on the CAD Designer career path. 

What is a CAD Designer?

A CAD Designer is a skilled professional trained in using computer software to create and refine designs of buildings, structures, machines, and manufactured parts and products. CAD Designers work in a variety of industries including architecture, automotive, construction, engineering, manufacturing, and textiles. The role of a CAD Designer is important to many companies because it is their drawings and models that get created and turned into physical objects and structures. Because of this, CAD Designers need to have strong attention to detail and communication skills so that their designs are accurate and meet the exacting requirements specified by various stakeholders. 

The job of a CAD Designer is skills-based, meaning that one’s skills, technical abilities, and industry experience are prioritized over having a specific college or university degree. While some industries may look for a CAD Designer to have at least an Associate’s degree or training from a vocational school, most employers will also accept three to five years of on-the-job experience instead of a specific degree. CAD Designers need to know how to draft, use math and engineering principles, and be particularly adept at using industry-specific 2D and 3D CAD software, Microsoft Office, and any other project management software required by the organizations they work for. These professionals will work collaboratively as part of a larger team that can include Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, and other Drafters and Designers.

CAD Designer Skills

Successful CAD Designers will need a variety of hard and soft skills. First and foremost, a CAD Designer needs to have a command of drafting and must be able to create technical drawings of objects, structures, or systems using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Because drafting relies on accurate measurements and data, many CAD Designers have a background in math or engineering, though it is not usually required to have a college degree in these subjects. AutoCAD is the most common 2D and 3D drafting software that a prospective CAD Designer will need to know and it is used widely across many industries. 

Someone pursuing CAD Design will also need to have a working knowledge of industry-specific CAD software and industry standards, regulations, and codes. Civil CAD Designers, for instance, will need to know Civil 3D, a civil engineering-specific CAD software that allows one to create detailed models of buildings and infrastructure, manage and document projects, and conduct grading design studies. Revit is another common software used by many industries as it has 2D, 3D, and 4D capabilities so that users can plan, draw, design, construct, and manage buildings. Additionally, CAD Designers will need to know the concepts, theories, and tools that underlie their industries and make sure their designs conform to industry standards for products, systems, and structures. 

There are additional soft skills that are important for a CAD Designer to master, including attention to detail and strong communication and collaboration skills. The designs that CAD Designers draw and review will be used to manufacture an auto part or renovate a hospital’s electrical system. Because of this, much of a CAD Designer’s work will be spent making sure measurements are accurate and reviewing designs to ensure they fit within the project's demands. CAD design is a collaborative process and CAD Designers will often work on a larger team of Drafters, Designers, Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and other professionals to bring designs to life. Due to the collaborative nature of this job, a CAD Designer must possess strong communication abilities so that they can discuss detailed designs with stakeholders who will have varying levels of knowledge and expertise. 

CAD Designer Career Path

Becoming a CAD Designer involves mastering technical drafting, designing, and modeling skills within one’s particular industry. The first step to becoming a CAD Designer is to learn drafting, which is something that one can learn on their own or by taking drafting classes. Most CAD Designers have some amount of formal training in drafting, engineering, math, architecture, or a related field. CAD Designer is a skills-based profession, so it is possible to become a CAD Designer without a degree from a college or university. Some employers want to see a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree or training from a technical school, though having three or more years of experience working with CAD software in one’s industry will also often suffice. 

Many prospective CAD Designers start by working entry-level jobs as CAD Drafters, Operators, or even CAD Technicians. These lower-level positions can require little to no formal education or years of experience, instead, one will only need to know drafting and how to operate CAD software like AutoCAD. Working as an Operator or Drafter will allow one to get the necessary experience to become a CAD Designer and these positions will often allow for on-the-job training. Entry-level positions can also be a good way to figure out which industry you want to work in as a CAD Designer, as it will be important to know the concepts and regulations related to designing products and structures in your specific industry. 

It is also possible to become a Freelance CAD Designer. Freelancers can enjoy more flexible hours and higher salaries, though it can be hard to get started working for yourself as a freelancer. Freelance CAD Designers will need to devote more time to finding projects and building their professional network, especially at first, and it can be a good idea to look for work and set up profiles on sites like Upwork, Freelancer.com, and LinkedIn. Those who have already worked for years as CAD Designers can pursue freelance work by leveraging their years of experience and professional network to find the projects that they want to work on. 

CAD Drafter 

Entry-level CAD Designers will often hold roles as Drafters or Operators, or sometimes even Technicians. These positions will require similar basic skills as CAD Designer jobs, as those working in these jobs need to use CAD software specific to their industry to draw designs for products, buildings, structures, or systems. Drafters might be responsible for converting someone else’s design into a plan or blueprint or taking measurements at a job site to ensure a design’s accuracy. Drafters will still need to be able to collaborate well with others and communicate in daily meetings with team members or other stakeholders. Those in this position might also be responsible for creating job cost estimates and evaluating client proposals. 

What ultimately separates a Drafter from a Designer is that CAD Designers are usually the ones with more creative freedom to generate their own designs. While Drafter or Operator roles are often entry-level, that is not always the case, and one can find jobs that merge the role of a Designer and a Drafter into one. Some jobs even say they are looking for a Designer Drafter, and, in these cases, one should assume that they are looking for a more experienced CAD Designer unless the job listing states otherwise. Drafters, Operators, and Technicians can still command decent salaries and the current average is $58,000-64,000 per year. 

Electrical Designer

Electrical CAD Designers work on developing plans and designs for electrical systems. Depending on the organization that one works for one might create drawings of wiring diagrams, develop infrastructure for EV charging systems, or design plans for a substation. Like other industry-specific CAD Designers, Electrical Designers need to know how to work in this industry. That can mean knowing about the National Electrical Code (NEC), electrical systems, wiring, and voltage. 

Electrical Designers need skills similar to other CAD Designers, including proficiency in using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and other organization-specific CAD software. These professionals will also need a similar high level of excellent computer, communication, and collaboration skills. Those working in electrical design will often be part of a larger team of Electrical or Mechanical Engineers and Drafters and need to work with these professionals to design and review plans. The current average yearly total salary for an Electrical Designer is $91,000. 

Civil or Civil 3D Designer

A Civil Designer will work on designs for infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water systems. Civil Designers will spend time working to create and review grading and construction plans for the projects their company or organization is working on. One can often find this job listed as a Civil 3D Designer, as this is the specific CAD program one will need to master when working in civil design. Those in this role are currently earning an average of $85,000 a year. 

As with all industry-specific CAD Designer jobs, Civil Designers need to know about the standards, regulations, and permitting practices for designing the kinds of projects their company or organization is working on. Civil Designers might also be tasked with analyzing geologic and topographic data to best plan a specific project. Those in this role might also be in charge of teaching others how to use Civil 3D or maintaining a set of standards while doing so, which is in line with how any CAD Designer might need to train team members in how to use CAD software. 

Mechanical Designer

Mechanical Designers work on creating and reviewing design plans for mechanical engineering products and services. Depending on the company, one can end up working on such projects as renovating commercial buildings, designing HVAC systems, or building electric generators. The Mechanical CAD Designer will often work with a lead Mechanical Engineer to create product designs, review plans and models, and perform site visits to assess a building’s mechanical components and observe how projects are going.

Like other CAD Designer jobs, those working in mechanical design need to know how to do 2D and 3D modeling using CAD software. It is common for Mechanical Designers to use AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, and others required by their company or organization. What differentiates this job from CAD Designer roles is the need to know mechanical regulations, safety procedures, and best practices. The average yearly pay for a Mechanical Designer is the same as a Civil Designer at about $85,000. 

Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers are CAD Designers who work on designing physical products often intended for everyday use. Those working in industrial design are paying attention to how a product looks, how it functions, and how the end-user will experience it. Overall, an Industrial CAD Designer will collaborate with their team to brainstorm, design, and manufacture products that will vary by industry. Industrial Designers in the US are currently earning an average salary of around $82,000 a year. 

Like other CAD Designers, those working in industrial design will draw and draft product designs to exacting specifications and work on reviewing and refining designs in consultation with other team members and stakeholders. Industrial Designers will need particular knowledge of 3D modeling in their industry-specific CAD software. They might also be responsible for calculating project costs, programming machines, and overseeing parts of manufacturing to ensure the production process moves fluidly. 

Why Become a CAD Designer?

Most people who end up becoming CAD Designers started pursuing this career path because they love drafting. It is common for these professionals to teach themselves to draft at a young age or find their interest piqued by taking a drafting class in high school or college. Drafting and design allow someone to take their vision or idea and turn it into a reality. This is one of the things that makes CAD design unique and enjoyable for many people, as it allows you to have creative input into real, tangible products that others will use, buildings that others will occupy, or bridges that others will cross.

Another reason why someone may pursue a career as a CAD Designer is that it is a stable, usually 40-hour-a-week job that also offers work in a variety of industries. Most CAD Designers can have a good work-life balance and will not need to complete work from home or on the weekends. Additionally, those in this profession can be assured that their job or others like it will still be there for years to come as they are working on products and structures that are necessary for society to function. CAD Designers are a vital part of almost any industry, so someone pursuing this career can gear their job towards an industry that they are most interested in. 

The career path for a CAD Designer also allows for a clear pathway for advancement and progression. Beginners with drafting and CAD software knowledge can start as CAD Drafters or Operators, gain experience working within their industry, and move into the role of CAD Designer which comes with increased responsibility and more of an ability to impact how a product or system is designed. The next level up for a CAD Designer is to become a CAD Designer Manager, Lead CAD Designer, or Senior CAD Designer. These roles come with increased pay, prestige, and the ability to manage or lead a team of other Drafters or Designers. With more education, CAD Designers can also become CAD Engineers and advance through this separate but related career path. 

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.