CAD Designer Jobs in California
CAD Designer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, architecture and construction, semiconductor manufacturing, and consumer electronics across experience levels from entry-level drafters through senior design engineers. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Apple consistently staff cad design teams. The most in-demand specialties right now are mechanical CAD for product development, architectural drafting for commercial construction, and electrical schematic design for hardware companies. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Take your designs from the screen to the shop floor. We’re looking for a CAD Designer / Fabricator to design custom parts for equipment modification projects and fabricate them in house using our waterjet, press brake, welders, and other shop equipment.
This role combines 3D CAD design with hands-on fabrication and assembly. You’ll work closely with our Modifications Engineers and Modification Supervisor to turn project requirements into accurate, finished parts.
What You’ll Do
- Create CAD models, sheet metal flat patterns, bend files, assembly drawings, and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) files.
- Operate the waterjet, press brake, welders, and other fabrication tools and equipment.
- Inspect fabricated parts for accuracy and discrepancies before assembly.
- Size replacement coils for modification projects.
- Create job bills of material (BOMs) in Fulcrum.
- Assist with assembly on equipment modification projects.
- Support multiple design projects, working with Modifications Engineers for technical guidance.
- Maintain organized, up-to-date job files for future reference.
- Perform field work as needed.
What You’ll Bring
- Experience using 3D CAD software for sheet metal design, including flat patterns and assembly drawings; Autodesk Inventor or comparable software.
- Hands-on fabrication experience with waterjet or CNC cutting, press brake operation, and welding.
- Ability to read and create mechanical drawings and bills of material.
- A valid driver’s license for field work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with HVAC equipment and coils.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, particularly Fulcrum.
Apply
If you enjoy both designing parts and building them, apply with your resume highlighting your CAD and fabrication experience.
Pay: $30.00 - $36.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Take your designs from the screen to the shop floor. We’re looking for a CAD Designer / Fabricator to design custom parts for equipment modification projects and fabricate them in house using our waterjet, press brake, welders, and other shop equipment.
This role combines 3D CAD design with hands-on fabrication and assembly. You’ll work closely with our Modifications Engineers and Modification Supervisor to turn project requirements into accurate, finished parts.
What You’ll Do
- Create CAD models, sheet metal flat patterns, bend files, assembly drawings, and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) files.
- Operate the waterjet, press brake, welders, and other fabrication tools and equipment.
- Inspect fabricated parts for accuracy and discrepancies before assembly.
- Size replacement coils for modification projects.
- Create job bills of material (BOMs) in Fulcrum.
- Assist with assembly on equipment modification projects.
- Support multiple design projects, working with Modifications Engineers for technical guidance.
- Maintain organized, up-to-date job files for future reference.
- Perform field work as needed.
What You’ll Bring
- Experience using 3D CAD software for sheet metal design, including flat patterns and assembly drawings; Autodesk Inventor or comparable software.
- Hands-on fabrication experience with waterjet or CNC cutting, press brake operation, and welding.
- Ability to read and create mechanical drawings and bills of material.
- A valid driver’s license for field work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with HVAC equipment and coils.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, particularly Fulcrum.
Apply
If you enjoy both designing parts and building them, apply with your resume highlighting your CAD and fabrication experience.
Pay: $30.00 - $36.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 19 CAD Designer Jobs in California
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Find CAD Designer JobsCAD Designer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
CAD Designer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in CAD designer jobs across California.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA required for most California postings
- Associate or bachelor's degree in drafting technology, engineering, or a related field preferred
- Experience producing detailed 2D drawings and 3D models to industry and GD&T standards
- Familiarity with California Title 24 building codes for architecture and MEP roles
- Ability to collaborate with engineers, architects, and project managers throughout design cycles
- Portfolio of completed projects or internship experience demonstrating production-ready drafting work
CAD Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cad designer in California?
The most direct path is completing an associate degree or certificate in drafting technology, CAD design, or engineering technology from a California community college, then building a portfolio of production drawings. California does not require a state license to work as a cad designer, but earning an industry certification such as the Autodesk Certified Professional credential strengthens applications. Many candidates enter through internships or student project work with California manufacturers, architecture firms, or defense contractors.
How much do CAD designers make in California?
CAD designers in California earn a median of about $82,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $50,200 for the lowest 10% to over $128,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cad designers in California?
Employers hiring cad designers in California right now include Bay Systems Consulting, Jacobs, and Aico, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's aerospace, defense, and semiconductor industries generate consistent demand, with large employers across Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area running ongoing hiring for both contract and full-time cad roles.
Which California cities have the most cad designer jobs?
Berkeley, Los Angeles, and Poway are the California cities with the most cad designer openings. Los Angeles and San Diego are driven by large aerospace and defense contractors headquartered in Southern California, while Bay Area demand reflects the region's concentration of hardware and semiconductor companies. Secondary markets like Sacramento see steady activity tied to state infrastructure and commercial construction projects.
Are there remote cad designer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical roles because cad designers often need to coordinate directly with engineers, review physical prototypes, or access secure design environments on-site. About 64% of cad designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. The tasks most suited to remote work are 2D documentation, revision markup, and model clean-up that don't require on-site hardware access.
How can I get hired as a cad designer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is applying for a drafting intern or junior cad technician role while still completing a community college certificate, since California's aerospace and construction industries regularly hire program completers before graduation. Large defense contractors in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas run student co-op and new-grad programs that accept candidates without professional experience. Building a strong portfolio of student projects drawn to GD&T or AIA standards and targeting entry titles like drafting technician or design aide opens doors faster than targeting senior roles.
Where can I find and apply to cad designer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cad designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, architecture, manufacturing, and tech. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 19 CAD Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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