CAD technician

Computer-aided design (CAD) technicians use their engineering, IT and mathematical knowledge and skills to design buildings, machinery, products and parts

A CAD technician, also known as a draughtsperson, uses CAD software to create technical drawings and plans - also known as draughting - for products and parts used in the engineering, construction and manufacturing industries.

You'll work with architects and design engineers to understand the requirements of their initial designs and turn them into accurate and detailed technical drawings in 2D and 3D models. These drawings are used at all stages of a project, from estimating cost and feasibility to creating the blueprints for manufacturing and instructions for installation.

Alternative job titles include drafter/draftsperson, CAD designer, CAD operator, design technician and engineering technician.

Types of work

CAD technicians typically work in engineering, manufacturing and construction industries, specialising in fields such as mechanical, electrical, structural, control and instrumentation or piping design.

CAD skills are also valuable in creative industry jobs such as set and interior design.

If you're interested in CAD, you may also be interested in more specialised areas where it's used in other industries such as computer-aided industrial design (CAID), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided styling (CAS) and computer-aided manufacturing design (CAM).

Other related job titles include:

• design technician
• building information modelling (BIM) technician
• architectural technician
• graphic designer
• product designer
• engineering or industrial designer
• building services technician.

Responsibilities

As a CAD technician/draughtsperson, you'll need to:

• create high-quality detailed technical drawings and plans based on designs supplied by architects and designers and make modifications to existing drawings
• use a variety of CAD software programmes to create designs in 2D and 3D models, with 3D modelling you may use model-based definition (MBD) to include all necessary data to manufacture the part or assembly
• liaise with architects, engineers and designers to understand their design requirements and provide technical advice to manufacturing and construction technicians
• provide accurate, detailed and to scale drawings
• ensure drawings are compliant with industry and health and safety standards and protocols
• calculate costs and apply knowledge of materials and engineering principles to check feasibility of manufacture and construction of the product
• conduct site visits and surveys when required
• present working drawings for use in all stages of the project, tender, manufacture/construction and installation
• produce installation and manufacturing documentation
• maintain accurate records.

Salary

Salaries depend on location, employer and level of experience.

• Starting salaries for CAD technicians are in the region of £17,000 to £20,000.
• With experience, this can rise to between £20,000 and £35,000.
• Senior or chartered CAD technicians can earn £35,000 to £50,000.

Income figures from Go Construct. Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are usually 37 to 40 per week, spread across a typical Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm pattern, but longer hours and overtime may be necessary to meet project deadlines.

There is lots of freelance work available and these opportunities are advertised on websites such as CadCrowd.com, where you can showcase your 3D design portfolio and create a designer profile to receive offers of work.

What to expect

• You'll mainly be office-based and will spend long hours at a computer or drawing desk, which requires periods of concentration.
• You may work individually while you complete design work but will also often work as part of a team of other technicians or architects, contractors or design engineers.
• You'll typically have to meet with clients and designers to understand their requirements for a design. You may also provide technical advice to designers, manufacturers on shop floors and engineers on construction sites.
• Depending on the industry and the role, you may be required to visit building sites or manufacturing facilities. You could be based in a construction site office for the duration of a project.
• Work is project-based and can involve working to tight deadlines and providing updates or changes to plans last minute. You may also be required to work on multiple projects at once.

Qualifications

You can become a CAD technician through a relevant degree, college course or apprenticeship.  

A degree is not a prerequisite for entry to a CAD technician/draughtsperson role, but it can provide relevant engineering and technical knowledge. Relevant degrees include all engineering disciplines, architecture, manufacturing, IT and design.

Graduates can find entry-level roles as CAD technician/draughtsperson to gain industry experience before progressing to other engineering roles such as design engineer, civil engineer and architectural professions.

As an apprentice, you'll have the opportunity to study for qualification while gaining work-based experience and training with an employer. Minimum academic requirements for apprenticeships are usually 5 GCSEs at grade A* to C (or equivalent) including English, maths and a technical subject. Search for apprenticeships.

Alternatively, you could complete a higher-level qualification, such as a BTEC or HND course in computer-aided design.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• a knowledge of engineering principles and the ability to create and read technical drawings
• IT skills and experience using computer-aided design software such as Autocad, Solidworks and Revit
• the ability to transfer, display and manipulate your work using Microsoft Office and other programmes
• attention to detail for creating accurate and detailed drawings and for checking other colleagues' work for accuracy and quality
• good communication skills for building relationships with clients, other engineers and architects, and for understanding and interpreting their designs
• teamwork skills as you’ll liaise with other CAD technicians and draughtspersons on projects
• effective organisation and time management skills to ensure you complete work to project deadlines
• a flexible approach to decision-making and to making changes to drawings at short notice
• mathematical skill for completing calculations and estimates
• spatial and design skills so you can visualise projects in 2D and 3D
• the ability to problem-solve and to come up with creative and innovative solutions to design problems
• knowledge of health and safety requirements in line with industry standards.

Technical drawing is now almost exclusively done using CAD software, but freehand drawing skills and the use of draughting tools may still come in useful for some roles.

Work experience

Employers usually require relevant engineering knowledge and experience of using CAD software and any opportunities to work shadow and gain industry experience and using computer-aided design software will help towards getting a role.

Large engineering and construction companies offer summer placements and year-in-industry placements to students on relevant degree programmes. These can provide industry experience and give you opportunities to use computer-aided design software on real-life projects.

CAD technician apprenticeships offer on-the-job training with employers and a chance to gain industry experience alongside working towards a qualification.

If you're studying a relevant technical degree, there may be opportunities to develop skills and knowledge of using CAD software such as AutoCAD and Solidworks through academic modules.

You can learn the basics of using this software through free online tutorials and courses.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

CAD technicians usually work in the manufacturing, engineering and construction industries, but are also found in a range of other industries where parts or products are designed or manufactured.

Large civil engineering, construction or manufacturing companies usually have an in-house design or drawing office, or you could work for a specialist drafting or design company that provides CAD drawing services to other industries.

Typical employers are:

• civil engineering and construction companies
• architectural practices
• aerospace companies
• automotive manufacturers
• broadcasting and telecommunications
• utilities companies
• electrical and electronic engineering companies
• the government
• consumer goods manufacturers
• oil and gas providers.

Look for vacancies on engineering job boards such as:

• IET Engineering & Technology Jobs
• The Engineer Jobs
• Careers in Construction
• ICE Recruit

Specialist engineering, construction and manufacturing recruitment agencies such as CAD Agency will also advertise CAD technician and draughtsperson jobs.

Professional development

Experienced CAD technicians and draughtspersons can apply for professional registration as an EngTech with the Engineering Council. Achieving EngTech status demonstrates that you have the required technical skills, ability and commitment to professional standards.

To apply for EngTech accreditation, you'll first need to become a member of the relevant engineering institution. You can find a complete list at Engineering Council.

Then you can apply to have your qualifications, training and experience assessed in line with The UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

Gaining professional registration can lead to higher earning potential and wider career opportunities.

After you've achieved EngTech status, you could progress to Incorporated Engineer. Graduates with a relevant degree could go on to achieve professional accreditation with Chartered Engineer status.

It's essential for CAD technicians to keep up to date with the latest design software relevant for the industry. There are usually plenty of opportunities to learn how to use new and advanced CAD software as part of continuing professional development (CPD) with employers.

Career prospects

Newly qualified and junior CAD technicians may initially work on small projects, making revisions to existing drawings or converting archive drawings from paper to computer. After gaining experience, your role will develop, and you’ll become more involved in the design process and work on larger projects.

From the role of junior CAD technician, you can progress to senior CAD technician roles, which can involve managing a team of technicians, overseeing work in the design office and overall project management.

Apprenticeship and college routes can lead to taking further qualifications at degree level in a related field, such as civil engineering, and gaining EngTech status.

Graduates who gain experience as a CAD technician can progress to other roles, such as design engineer and civil engineer.

Keeping up with developing trends will aid your progression and help you in your work. For example, as well as proficiency in CAD software, an understanding of manufacturing processes and the capacity to work with emerging technologies such as virtual reality, AI and machine learning is useful.