CAD Designer Requirements

CAD Designers are skilled professionals who use their knowledge of CAD software and design principles to create designs for products, structures, and systems. A prospective CAD Designer will need a strong background in drafting, at least three to five years of experience designing projects using CAD software within one’s desired industry, a fine attention to detail, and strong communication and collaboration skills. As a skill-based profession, while some employers will want to see a degree or formal training, many will accept years of industry-specific experience in place of this specific educational background. To land a job as a CAD Designer, you will need a detailed portfolio, resume, LinkedIn profile, and professional references who can speak to your successes as a Designer. Read on to learn more about the requirements to become a CAD Designer.

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.

Education

CAD Designer is a skills-based role, so, someone can become a CAD Designer without a degree and experience can matter more than one’s formal education. While some employers will look for job candidates who have a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in something related to their industry or training from a technical school, many employers will accept three to five years (or more) of experience in place of formal degree requirements. The most common Bachelor’s degrees for a CAD Designer are in engineering, math, design, or a related field and the most common Associate’s degree is in drafting. Education requirements can vary by industry, as it is more common for CAD Designers working in the textile industry, for instance, to need a Bachelor’s degree in design. Pursuing CAD certification can also serve as an alternative to completing degree-based programs and it can show employers your knowledge of CAD software and practices. 

What all CAD Designers need, more so than formal degrees, is knowledge of drafting and CAD software. Many prospective Designers teach themselves drafting or learn how to draft in high school or college. While you can teach yourself how to use common CAD software, taking a class or bootcamp to learn AutoCAD, Revit, MicroStation, SketchUp, Civil 3D, and SolidWorks will help you learn basic and advanced functions as well as industry-specific features of these common 2D, 3D, and 4D drawing, modeling, and management programs. 

If you enter the profession knowing how to draft and use CAD software, you’ll find that much of the rest of your education is through on-the-job training. This is how most future CAD Designers will learn important standards and regulations for their specific industry and how most will learn about managing budgets and resources for a project. CAD Designers also need important soft skills like a keen attention to detail and the ability to collaborate and communicate well with others. These skills can be strengthened as one creates and reviews design drawings and works with others from different departments to complete various projects. 

Experience

Experience designing projects using CAD software and working within one’s desired industry are the most important prerequisites for becoming a CAD Designer. There are multiple ways to gain the experience necessary for this career. To start, many learn drafting either by self-teaching or taking a drafting class. Once you know drafting, you’ll know the basics necessary for creating 2D and then 3D models using CAD software and can gain on-the-job experience in entry-level drafting positions or by taking on an internship or volunteering your services for free. 

On the job is where most prospective CAD Designers gain relevant work knowledge and experience. Entry-level positions as a CAD Drafter, Technician, or Operator will allow one to gain the three to five years of experience necessary to become a CAD Designer. Most of these paid positions will require some proof of CAD knowledge, either through formal training or one to two years of experience using 2D and 3D design software. Taking a class, bootcamp, or certificate program can be a quick way to learn the basic and advanced features of necessary software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks and it can be the start of gaining the necessary experience to secure a CAD Designer position. 

Entry-level positions also allow one to receive on-the-job training within one’s desired industry. Electrical CAD Designers, for instance, will need to know about the National Electrical Code, electrical systems, wiring, and voltage to perform this job effectively. This is true of a CAD Designer working in any industry, there are specific codes, standards, and operating practices that one will need to know along with one’s use of CAD software. One can learn some of this industry-specific knowledge by working in an entry-level position and capitalizing on any opportunities to learn more about the practices within one’s desired industry. 

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. 

Portfolio

A professional work portfolio is a useful way to show your skills and design process to prospective employers. A CAD Designer can construct an online portfolio of their designs to show the kinds of projects they have worked on, successful 2D and 3D drawings and models, industry-specific skillsets, and any career achievements. Building a portfolio also allows someone to add their own notes and thought process behind the designs which can give employers a clearer understanding of a CAD Designer’s work and creative process. 

A portfolio is something that can grow with you as a Designer. At the beginning of your career, start off with simple designs that showcase your attention to detail and accuracy. Portfolios for entry-level positions should highlight your drafting and 2D/3D modeling abilities. As you learn more and grow more confident in your 2D and 3D skills, you can add more complex designs that show your creativity and versatility and set you apart from other CAD Designers who might be vying for similar jobs. Consider posting work to GrabCAD and include a link to it in your portfolio. 

Most profiles today are hosted online and many online platforms not only host portfolios but connect users to clients, colleagues, and a larger social network. Platforms like Behance and Coroflot not only host portfolios (for free or with a subscription) but connect users to job boards and potential freelance work. It is possible to become a Freelance CAD Designer and having an up-to-date and accessible portfolio is one way for a freelancer to showcase their skills. For those working on 3D models, especially with the goal of working in VR, gaming, or animation, Sketchfab is a useful platform to look into. 

Resume & LinkedIn Profile

Both resumes and LinkedIn profiles should showcase a CAD Designer’s skillsets and successes and both require effort to get right. While resumes are often only submitted to prospective employers when one is looking for a job, LinkedIn is a career-oriented social networking platform, so it can be a place to not only look for jobs but also build a professional network and keep in contact with current and former colleagues, managers, and supervisors. For both a resume and a LinkedIn profile, one should take care to proofread for spelling and grammar errors and to work on layout design. Prospective employers will discount candidates if they find lazy errors or if the information they want to know from a resume or profile page is not readily apparent. 

CAD Designer resumes need to use two pages or less to detail one’s use of CAD software, familiarity with industry-specific codes and standards, and communicate that one has experience in leadership roles or managing projects. Many Drafters and Designers question how to communicate their CAD expertise on a resume and the answer is to get specific about what CAD software you know and how you have used it. When listing experience, employers like to see the results so it can be useful to use numbers to quantify one’s successes on specific projects. Prospective employers will be scanning the resumes of job candidates before reading through them, so it is important to craft a resume with a clean and readable layout that emphasizes the particular skills, abilities, and experience the employer is asking for. 

Unliked a resume, a LinkedIn profile can be comprehensive, more personal, and does not need to cater to one specific job posting. Here is where you can post a professional headshot, give a more thorough accounting of all past experiences and education, and even post recommendations from past employers and colleagues. The first thing someone will see when visiting a profile is the headline and summary, so take some time to craft these statements so they accurately capture your professional expertise and approach to CAD design. It can boost your profile and career prospects to post articles and participate in discussions on LinkedIn that are relevant to your career and interests. 

References

Here, “references” does not refer to internal or external references in AutoCAD, instead, references are those people who can speak to your work ethic and experience. From entry-level positions to becoming a Senior CAD Designer, it is important to cultivate a professional network and keep in touch with those who can speak to your skills as a CAD Designer and person. Most jobs you’ll apply to as a CAD Designer will ask for at least one reference, if not multiple, at some point in the application process. 

The best references will be those people who are familiar enough with your work that they can speak at length about your skills and accomplishments. References should add another dimension to your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile as they can provide specific examples of work you’ve done, your strengths as a CAD Designer, and the value you will add as an employee and coworker. You will want to be on the same page as your references so, if possible, meet with them to discuss the jobs you’re applying for. Consider showing them your application materials so that they can also mention and add further details about the skills and experience you have listed in your cover letter, resume, profile, or portfolio. 

When determining who to ask for a reference, never use family or friends as references because employers will not consider what they have to say about you to be objective or accurate. Ideally, you will want to use current or former managers, supervisors, or others in leadership positions as your main references. It is best to choose references from within one’s industry though if a job asks for multiple references it is usually fine to include a reference from another job, volunteer position, or professional experience. For entry-level positions, consider asking not only former or current supervisors but also teachers and instructors who can speak to the skills you’ve learned and your ability to complete coursework and assignments under strict deadlines. 

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.