CAD Drafter Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

What Does a CAD Drafter Do?

CAD drafters ensure that construction plans for a building or structure are technically sound and correct. They make sure every detail of a plan or drawing is accurate before construction progresses to the next step at an architectural firm or organization.

CAD drafters use software to convert designs into technical drawings. Their role is highly collaborative, as they work with architects, designers, engineers, surveyors, and other professionals. CAD drafters collect all drawings, data, and notes involved in a project, draft building plans, layout interiors, and even designate landscaping. Their responsibility is to flesh out a final version of the construction project — specifying dimensions, codes, production methods, and materials.

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National Average Salary

CAD drafter salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.

The average U.S. salary for a CAD Drafter is:

$51,100

CAD Drafter Job Descriptions

The first step when hiring a great CAD drafter is a well-crafted job description. Below are real-world examples to help give you the best chance of success on your recruiting journey.

Example 1

Who you are

  • You know drafting. You’re a CAD enthusiast with at least three years of experience or technical training using Microstation
  • A high school diploma is a must; even better if your studies took you further
  • You’re a people person with the ability to interface and collaborate effectively with other team members. Your strong organization and communication skills will contribute to your success
  • You’re a detail-loving drafter. You’re meticulous and have a knack for quality. We need someone who can draft with the best of them
  • You’re proficient with business and engineering applications. Microsoft Office and Microstation proficiency is a must

What you’ll do

  • You’ll flex your drafting muscle. You’ll prepare drawings from engineering and/or field markups for designers and engineers. You’ll coordinate CAD for projects and be responsible for the initial drawing setup. You’ll assist in file management, scanning, plotting, creating, and updating project drawing lists and general drawing management
  • You’ll prepare drawings for permits. You’ll comply with requirements by local villages, road, and rail authorities, etc.
  • You’ll ensure adherence to company and industry standards. The details make the difference. You’ll apply our standards, guidelines, specifications, practices, and procedures in preparing design drawings. You’ll archive CAD files in accordance with company standards
  • You’ll connect with people. You’ll regularly communicate and coordinate project activities with internal team members
  • You’ll enjoy what you do. You’ll work with great people, learn, grow, and have a good time doing it

Example 2

Responsibilities:

  • Provides CAD and drafting support for new and existing products as well as support manufacturing process when needed
  • Provide prototype to full production for engineering drawings and specifications including design layouts, component and assembly drawings, and final production specifications
  • Maintain engineering drawing databases and support the engineering change process by updating existing and creating new documentation
  • Creating new and updating existing CAD drawings in AutoCAD and Solidworks
  • Participate as a member of the product development team, and interact with interdisciplinary teams in various projects to help develop and document new products, line extensions, or product feature enhancements
  • Perform component and assembly drawing layouts
  • Ensure documentation standards are met for all new and existing products prior to market introduction
  • Support the engineering change process support function. Track and act on engineering drawing and specification change requests in a timely manner
  • Maintain product drawings through the use of the SolidWorks PDM system
  • Setup and measure components for documentation on a comparator (shadowgraph system, digital optical comparator, etc.)
  • Initiate engineering change orders and manage the implementation of revised documents through to release in the document control system
  • Provide detailing and drawing expertise to product management and external vendors

Requirements:

  • Associate degree in technical drafting or drafting certifications a minimum; Will consider work experience in lieu of degree
  • 5+ years experience in a drafting background, preferably in a medical device background
  • Experience working with both AutoCAD and Solidworks
  • Good Communication skills both verbal and written
  • Ability to work well in a design team and handle multiple designs
  • Mechanical Skills: Proper use of measurement instruments including caliper, micrometer, and comparator

Example 3

The CAD Drafter position, under general supervision, is responsible for carrying out drafting assignments of a routine to moderately complex nature. Additional responsibilities include converting product design sketches into working documents by digitizing with Computer Aided Design (CAD) to enable a CAD operator to complete related computer entries. In addition, produce complete drawings, review engineering drawings, and support documentation.

Performance expectations

  • Ensure all engineering documents are kept updated and record correct revision
  • Completion of ECR’s
  • Design any data sheets that need to be implemented for documentation
  • Prepare and log engineering drawings (process spec and tooling drawings)
  • Keep all Master files up to date
  • Support program Managers and Program Engineers with the process documentation when necessary
  • Create fully detailed engineering drawings that contain all necessary information required specifications
  • Control/Update Plant Layout

Credentials

  • Post-Secondary Education in Engineering Design and Drafting Technology or in a related field
  • Completion of a minimum three-year apprenticeship program or a minimum of four years of related experience in addition to completion of college or industry courses in drafting
  • Minimum two years of experience
  • Ability to read schematics, assembly drawings, blueprints, product specifications, and geometric dimensioning tolerance (GD&T)
  • Ability to decide presentation of additional design details to determine how construction or manufacturing employees will use them
  • Possess expert knowledge of AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro Engineer, or related 3D engineering modeling software, Corel Draw, Microsoft Excel, and Word

Desired characteristics

  • Working knowledge of contact center operations
  • Experience with contact center and/or direct customer service experience
  • Demonstrated ability to achieve and maintain quality and efficiency standards in a high-volume, high-velocity work environment
  • Rapidly responds to emails and establishes clear communication cadences

How to Hire a CAD Drafter

Consider the following when hiring a CAD drafter:

  • Recruiting: Do you have the internal resources and tools to source and recruit for this role successfully?
  • Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid, or even junior-level skills suffice?
  • Duration: Is this a one-time project, or an indefinite need?
  • Management: Can you effectively direct the work effort?
  • Urgency: Are there any deadlines associated with this need?
  • Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?

Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, various great options exist for every scenario, no matter how unique. For hiring a CAD drafter, we recommend the following options:

1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)

The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.

This is the best route to take when:

  • You need to fill the position quickly
  • You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
  • Your position is suited for temporary hiring services, contract staffing, or contract-to-hire recruiting, and you intend to direct the work activity.
  • You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff. 
  • You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
navy and white 4 Corner Resources banner that says setting the standard for recruiting excellence with picture of male professional

2. Advertise your opening on a top job board

Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice. 

We recommend using a job board when:

  • Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
  • You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort 
  • You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
  • You are prepared to respond to all applicants

We recommend using CareerBuilder when hiring a CAD drafter:

CareerBuilder

CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.

3. Leverage your internal resources

You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates. 

A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.

Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.

We recommend these options when:

  • Your brand has great name recognition
  • You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
  • You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
  • You have an effective employee referral program in place

If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.

Sample Interview Questions

  • What qualities do you possess that make you a good CAD drafter?
  • Why do you want to work in this specialty compared to other areas as a CAD drafter?
  • Tell me about a recent project you completed that you were proud of.
  • What is your ideal work environment?
  • How long have you been a CAD drafter?
  • How do you ensure accurate results with differing projects?
  • What software are you most familiar with?
  • What is the most difficult design you had to create as a CAD drafter?
  • Do you plan to pursue education or complete additional certifications as a drafter?
  • How well do you work with others?
  • How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the workday?
  • Share a time you had a disagreement with an engineer. What was the problem and how did you two resolve the issue?
  • What makes you stand out from other drafters?
  • Can you make layouts on your own?
  • Do you think of yourself as more creative or technical-minded? Explain.
Pete Newsome

About Pete Newsome

Pete Newsome is the President of 4 Corner Resources, the staffing and recruiting firm he founded in 2005. 4 Corner is a member of the American Staffing Association and TechServe Alliance and has been Clearly Rated's top-rated staffing company in Central Florida for the past five years. Recent awards and recognition include being named to Forbes’ Best Recruiting Firms in America, The Seminole 100, and The Golden 100. Pete also founded zengig, to offer comprehensive career advice, tools, and resources for students and professionals. He hosts two podcasts, Hire Calling and Finding Career Zen, and is blazing new trails in recruitment marketing with the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Connect with Pete on LinkedIn

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