CAD Designer Jobs in Illinois

CAD Designer jobs in Illinois are actively posted across manufacturing, architecture, and mechanical engineering sectors, with openings ranging from entry-level drafters to senior design leads. Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria anchor most of the hiring, with established employers like Caterpillar, Boeing, and Deere & Company maintaining significant Illinois operations that draw cad designers regularly. The most in-demand specialties are mechanical CAD, structural drafting, and product design using SolidWorks and AutoCAD. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles19
Top employerFarnsworth
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring17
Work type75% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 19+ CAD Designer jobs

CAD Designer & Product Specifier (Commercial Office Furniture)
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Added 3d ago
CAD Designer & Product Specifier (Commercial Office Furniture)
Office Furniture Center
Chicago, Illinois
Creative & Design
Project Management
$65k - $75k/yr
On-Site
Associate's degree in architecture
11-50

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Folding Carton CAD Structural Designer
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Added 5d ago
Folding Carton CAD Structural Designer
General Converting
Bolingbrook, Illinois
Civil & Structural Engineering
Drafting & CAD
Engineering (Non-Software)
$55k - $65k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

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Mechanical CAD Engineer / CAD Designer
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Added 2w ago
Mechanical CAD Engineer / CAD Designer
Cyient
Rockford, Illinois
Drafting & CAD
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Architectural Specialties CAD Designer Job
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Added 2w ago
Architectural Specialties CAD Designer Job
Armstrong World Industries
Chicago, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
Product Management
Technical Product & Program Management
$68k - $74k/yr
Bachelor's degree in architecture
1,001-5,000

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Architectural Specialties CAD Designer
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Added 2w ago
Architectural Specialties CAD Designer
Armstrong World Industries
Gilberts, Illinois
Customer Support
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
$62k - $94k/yr
Bachelor's degree in architecture
1,001-5,000

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See All 19 CAD Designer Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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CAD Designer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
3 jobs
Cicero
1 job
Elwood
1 job
Gilberts
1 job
Rockford
1 job
Champaign
1 job
Effingham
1 job
Princeton
1 job
Woodridge
1 job

CAD Designer Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Farnsworth2 open roles
Lochmueller2 open roles
Armstrong World Industries2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Manufacturing

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in CAD designer jobs across Illinois.

  • Proficiency in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Inventor required by most Illinois employers
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in drafting, engineering technology, or a related field
  • Experience producing detailed 2D drawings and 3D models for manufacturing or construction
  • Familiarity with GD&T standards and engineering drawing conventions
  • Ability to collaborate with engineers and project managers throughout the design lifecycle
  • Knowledge of Illinois building codes or industry-specific compliance standards preferred

CAD Designer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a cad designer in Illinois?

Most cad designer roles in Illinois require at minimum an associate degree in drafting technology, engineering design, or a related field, though many employers prefer a bachelor's degree. Illinois does not issue a state license specific to cad designers, so hiring decisions hinge on software proficiency and a strong portfolio. Completing programs at Illinois community colleges or universities and earning certifications like Autodesk Certified Professional strengthens your candidacy considerably.

How much do CAD designers make in Illinois?

CAD designers in Illinois earn a median of about $63,320 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $56,710 for the lowest 10% to over $94,930 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire cad designers in Illinois?

Employers hiring cad designers in Illinois right now include Farnsworth, Lochmueller, and Armstrong World Industries, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of advanced manufacturing, defense, and architecture firms means consistent demand for cad designers well beyond the Chicago metro.

Which Illinois cities have the most cad designer jobs?

Chicago, Cicero, and Elwood have the most cad designer openings in Illinois. Chicago leads because of its large architecture, construction, and corporate engineering presence, while Rockford and Peoria reflect the heavy manufacturing and industrial equipment sectors anchored by employers like Caterpillar and its network of suppliers and contractors in central and northern Illinois.

Are there remote cad designer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since cad designers frequently collaborate in person with engineers and review physical prototypes or job sites. About 25% of cad designer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. The portions of the role most suited to remote work are initial concept modeling and documentation review, rather than fabrication coordination.

How can I get hired as a cad designer in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is completing a drafting or engineering technology program at an Illinois community college, such as those offered through the Illinois Community College system, and building a portfolio of sample drawings. Many Illinois manufacturers and architecture firms offer internships or co-op placements that convert to full-time roles. Candidates coming from adjacent roles like blueprint technician or construction estimator find these backgrounds open doors, and an Autodesk certification gives a clear edge.

Where can I find and apply to cad designer jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to cad designer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your software skills and industry focus, then apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location.

See All 19 CAD Designer Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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