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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Office Furniture Center operates the largest showroom of value priced office furniture in the Midwest and is a resource for local businesses and dealers for premium pre-owned and remanufactured office furniture. OFC is looking for a talented and hard-working person to join our team of workstation and workspace designers and specialists.
The CAD Designer & Product Specifier (Commercial Office Furniture) designs and provide quotes and bill of materials (BoM) for systems office furniture (aka workstations, cubicles) in response to client requirements and specifications. This position is a member of the Workstation Design Center (WDC) team who works both independently and in conjunction with many of the Office Furniture Center functional groups including product specialists, inventory specialists, fulfillment personnel and sales. Knowledge of systems furniture is helpful but not required; proficiency with AutoCAD and ability to learn different design support and graphical rendering tools are essential skills sets for success in this position.
Key Accountabilities
In response to new-to-OFC workstations:
· Develop libraries of typical configurations and layouts for workstation product
· Work with inbound inventory personnel and workstation Product Specialists to identify parts and assemblies
· Determine optimal configuration of workstations based on available parts in order to maximize re-sale of product
· Produce AutoCAD drawings and graphic renderings of product
In response to requests for quotes:
· Use block plan provided by client representative to identify potential workstation inventories to best meet workstation requirements
· Generate 2D and 3D representations of workstations
· Create renderings of workstations using rendering software
· Produce workstation quotations using software application
· Produce bill of materials (BoM) from designs
In response to approved customer orders:
· Review bill of materials (BoM) for completeness and accuracy
· Place Purchase Orders (POs) with vendors for new product
· Provide assistance to fulfillment team as needed
Knowledge and Skill Requirements
The CAD Designer & Product Specifier (Commercial Office Furniture) role requires a strong attention to detail, creative thinking and problem-solving and successful execution of processes and procedures. Good verbal and written communication skills are essential. The ability to multi-task and prioritize work is critical to meet deadlines.
In addition, the position requires the following key knowledge and skill requirements:
· Proficient using AutoCAD with 0-5 years design-related experience
· Experience with rendering tools such as Google Sketch-up, Revit, Visual Impressions
· Proficient with MS Office products particularly Excel and PowerPoint
· AS degree Interior Design, Architecture, CAD, Mechanical Drafting
· Knowledge and experience of systems furniture knowledge desired (particularly Herman Miller AO2 and Ethospace and/or Steelcase Answer)
Compensation and Benefits
Salary commensurate with experience and skills inventory. Benefits including paid time off and major medical insurance after 90 days. Company matching 401K contribution. Annual bonus potential. On-site gym. Free covered parking. Recently renovated office space with ample work space and ergonomic sit-stand desk.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 19 CAD Designer Jobs in Illinois
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Find CAD Designer JobsCAD Designer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
CAD Designer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



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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