What does an Autocad Designer do?
Typically working in the construction and manufacturing industry, an AutoCAD designer specializes in designing and developing 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD software. It is their duty to coordinate with architects and engineers to discuss ideas and project needs, create and prepare designs for client approval, generate models through the AutoCAD software, and prepare progress reports and presentations for the clients. Furthermore, as an AutoCAD designer, it is essential to adhere to the company's standards and regulations, especially the clients' vision.
Autocad designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real autocad designer resumes:
- Establish and manage firm's account on NYC DOB website; fulfill office duties and manage office.
- Revise HVAC, piping, fire protection and electrical drawings for package.
- Perform site visits and create accurate AutoCAD and Revit plans reflecting existing conditions.
- Create mechanical, electrical, HVAC, civil and 3D drawings using AutoCAD.
- Perform at the highest professional level with great attention to detail, gain extensive knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit.
- Accompany engineers in PSSRs as well as field sketch changes to be implement in Cadworx models and change accordingly.
- Utilize Autodesk 3D studio max, v-ray and Google sketch up for presenting of commercial and residential projects in landscape design.
- Produce MEP drawings and diagrams after meeting with project managers and provide documentation need for construction approval by master engineer.
- Update CADD department's software to SolidWorks 2009 and establish effective backup practices within department.
- Produce jig fixtures for the fabrication shop to aid in fit up and spacing of boiler tubes.
- Perform general routines on manual Bridgeport type and horizontal boring mill including jig and fixture work on general layout.
- Record and responses to various contractors, material vendor suppliers for RFI's matters.
- Monitor job submittal and RFI logs to ensure current information is being used by all resources.
- Develop CADD drawings for newly acquire facilities, updating and maintaining existing facility documentation.
- Perform the duties of junior architectural draftsmen and then later architectural draftsmen/architectural designer.
Autocad designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Autocad Designers are proficient in Auto CAD, Revit, and Civil Engineering. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Technical skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Autocad Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Auto CAD, 7%
Design of Electrical Project Using Auto cad 2014, Surveying and Adjusting to maximize Project.
- Revit, 6%
Perform at the highest professional level with great attention to detail, gained extensive knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit.
- Civil Engineering, 5%
Prepared Civil engineering topographic surveys for construction.
- HVAC, 5%
Updated HVAC plans into As-Built CAD files & transformed all contractors CAD files into company's standard format/system.
- Construction Drawings, 5%
Prepared construction drawings in AutoCAD utilizing the same version of AutoCAD as the client uses, or a compatible version.
- Elevations, 5%
Converted Toll Brothers BuildersCAD production standard construction sets to meet customer requests including adding/removing options, house elevations and structural requests.
Common skills that an autocad designer uses to do their job include "auto cad," "revit," and "civil engineering." You can find details on the most important autocad designer responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an autocad designer to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications." Autocad designers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "utilized engineering red and green markups and develop detailed construction drawings for all electrical substations in shelby county using autocad. "
Technical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling autocad designer duties is technical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "drafters in all specialties must be able to use computer software, such as cad, and work with database tools, such as building information modeling (bim)." According to an autocad designer resume, here's how autocad designers can utilize technical skills in their job responsibilities: "collaborated with architects and designers to create technical drawings for residential and commercial design firm. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for autocad designers to perform their duties. For an example of how autocad designer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "drafters work on technical drawings." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an autocad designer: "applied technical and mathematical skills to create architectural drawings, specifications and cost estimates. ".
Creativity. For certain autocad designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "creativity." The day-to-day duties of an autocad designer rely on this skill, as "drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings of buildings, tools, and systems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what autocad designers do: "create technical drawings of inventoried components utilized in accudock floating dock systems. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for an autocad designer to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what autocad designers relies on this skill, since "drafters often work under deadline." How this skill relates to autocad designer duties can be seen in an example from an autocad designer resume snippet: "created pdf s and printed drawings out to ensure they were issued on time. "
The three companies that hire the most autocad designers are:
- Cree2 autocad designers jobs
- Jacobs Engineering Group
2 autocad designers jobs
- Robert Half2 autocad designers jobs
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Compare different autocad designers
Autocad designer vs. Cadd operator
The job of architectural interns is to assist an architect with all aspects of architectural work. Their duties and responsibilities may include maintaining project files, conducting research on construction sites such as zoning laws and regulations, and preparing presentations for clients. They are also expected to create 3D models and do drafting. The skills and qualifications required for this role include a degree in architecture or a related field, in-depth knowledge of 3D modeling software such as Autodesk and AutoCAD, and hand drafting skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between autocad designers and cadd operator. For instance, autocad designer responsibilities require skills such as "elevations," "drawing packages," "mep," and "solidworks." Whereas a cadd operator is skilled in "plumbing," "survey data," "auto cadd," and "mta." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, cadd operators reach similar levels of education than autocad designers. Cadd operators are 4.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Autocad designer vs. Architectural internship
The duties of a drafter vary on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a drafter specializes in creating a three-dimensional model for software and other applications upon gathering details and specifications from designers and other personnel. A drafter usually works with a team and is supervised by a manager or a more experienced colleague. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with the team involved, all while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that autocad designer responsibilities requires skills like "civil engineering," "hvac," "elevations," and "gis." But an architectural internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "bim," "adobe photoshop," "adobe creative suite," and "java."
On average, architectural interns earn a lower salary than autocad designers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, architectural interns earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $58,087. Whereas autocad designers have higher pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $57,565.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Architectural interns tend to reach higher levels of education than autocad designers. In fact, they're 8.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Autocad designer vs. Drafter
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an autocad designer is likely to be skilled in "elevations," "solidworks," "engineering design," and "electrical systems," while a typical drafter is skilled in "layout drawings," "gd," "windows," and "fabrication drawings."
Drafters make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $46,073. On the other hand, autocad designers are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $57,565.drafters typically earn similar educational levels compared to autocad designers. Specifically, they're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Autocad designer vs. Draftsperson
Types of autocad designer
Updated January 8, 2025
