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. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a CAD Drafter is:
$52,175
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, roads, 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
- Set up 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 ECRs
- 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 by 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, CorelDRAW, 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