Senior Level CAD Designer Jobs
Senior level cad designer jobs put experienced designers in charge of complex drawing packages, technical standards, and the junior staff who depend on their guidance to execute. Most openings are on-site or hybrid, concentrated in Consulting & Professional Services and Healthcare & Medical Services, with employers like Kimley-Horn, HDR, and MCKIM & CREED hiring at this level now.
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See related jobs- Lead the implementation and management of drafting and plan preparation standards across transportation projects.
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Develop detailed and accurate technical drawings and plans, including:
- Geometric alignments and profiles
- Surface creation from corridor modeling and assemblies
- Surface modeling and earthwork quantities
- Pressure network and pipe network design
- Plan production and creation for transportation infrastructure
- Review and perform quality checks on complex drawing packages with minimal supervision.
- Suggest and implement design improvements using sound civil engineering principles.
- Manage and maintain project drawing databases and files, including troubleshooting CAD-related issues.
- Coordinate drafting and design tasks to meet deadlines and ensure quality control.
- Mentor, train, and supervise CAD staff to ensure technical growth and standardization.
- Collaborate with engineers and designers to support accurate and well-coordinated project delivery.
- Gain and apply a strong working knowledge of Kimley-Horn’s drafting practices, procedures, and standards.
- 8+ years of relevant civil drafting/design experience, preferably in transportation.
- High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree in Drafting, Civil Technology, or a related field preferred.
- Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Civil 3D (preferred) or Bentley platforms.
- Strong understanding of plan production workflows and civil design documentation.
- Proven ability to interpret and apply engineering markups, redlines, and design standards.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Detail-oriented with a proactive, professional attitude.
- Comfortable working independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams.
- Committed to mentoring junior staff and fostering a collaborative team culture.
#LI-JH1
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
- Lead the implementation and management of drafting and plan preparation standards across transportation projects.
-
Develop detailed and accurate technical drawings and plans, including:
- Geometric alignments and profiles
- Surface creation from corridor modeling and assemblies
- Surface modeling and earthwork quantities
- Pressure network and pipe network design
- Plan production and creation for transportation infrastructure
- Review and perform quality checks on complex drawing packages with minimal supervision.
- Suggest and implement design improvements using sound civil engineering principles.
- Manage and maintain project drawing databases and files, including troubleshooting CAD-related issues.
- Coordinate drafting and design tasks to meet deadlines and ensure quality control.
- Mentor, train, and supervise CAD staff to ensure technical growth and standardization.
- Collaborate with engineers and designers to support accurate and well-coordinated project delivery.
- Gain and apply a strong working knowledge of Kimley-Horn’s drafting practices, procedures, and standards.
- 8+ years of relevant civil drafting/design experience, preferably in transportation.
- High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree in Drafting, Civil Technology, or a related field preferred.
- Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Civil 3D (preferred) or Bentley platforms.
- Strong understanding of plan production workflows and civil design documentation.
- Proven ability to interpret and apply engineering markups, redlines, and design standards.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Detail-oriented with a proactive, professional attitude.
- Comfortable working independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams.
- Committed to mentoring junior staff and fostering a collaborative team culture.
#LI-JH1
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
See All 5 Senior Level CAD Designer Jobs
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Senior Level CAD Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level cad designer job?
Employers hiring at the senior level want candidates who can own a project from concept to final deliverable without close supervision. Highlight experience leading drawing reviews, setting CAD standards, and mentoring junior staff. A portfolio showing complex multi-discipline projects, proficiency in industry-standard software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks, and familiarity with GD&T and relevant industry codes will give you a clear edge at this stage.
Which companies hire senior level cad designers?
Companies hiring senior level cad designers right now include Kimley-Horn, HDR, and MCKIM & CREED, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from engineering firms, manufacturers, and infrastructure organizations that run large, ongoing capital projects requiring experienced technical leadership.
Are there remote senior level cad designer jobs?
Yes, though most senior cad designer roles still favor on-site or hybrid arrangements given the collaborative and hardware-dependent nature of the work. About 33% of senior level cad designer openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, so fully remote positions exist but are less common than in purely software-driven fields.
What makes a cad designer role senior level?
Senior cad designer roles carry clear ownership of deliverables, technical standards, and project outcomes. Expect to define drafting conventions, review and approve the work of others, coordinate directly with engineers and project managers, and resolve complex design conflicts independently. The distinction from mid-level roles is accountability: senior designers are the final technical authority on drawing accuracy and CAD quality within their team.
Which industries hire the most senior level cad designers?
Senior Level cad designer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services and Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors drive demand because they run capital-intensive projects, face strict documentation and compliance requirements, and need experienced designers who can manage complex drawing sets across long project lifecycles.