CAD Designer Jobs in Tennessee

CAD Designer jobs in Tennessee are in strong demand, with hiring concentrated in automotive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, architectural design, and defense contracting at every level from entry-level drafters through senior design engineers. Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga lead the market, anchored by employers such as Volkswagen Group of America, Tennessee Valley Authority, and HCA Healthcare's facilities infrastructure teams. The most sought-after specializations include mechanical CAD, structural and architectural drafting, and 3D modeling for manufactured components. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles9
Top employerFranke
Top citySmyrna, TN
Cities hiring7
Work type100% On-site
Top industryDistribution

Showing 5 of 9+ CAD Designer jobs

ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers
CAD Designer
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ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers
Added 1w ago
CAD Designer
ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers
Knoxville, Tennessee
Civil & Structural Engineering
Drafting & CAD
Engineering (Non-Software)
$32 - $35/hr
1,001-5,000

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Ardurra
Water/Wastewater CAD Designer
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Ardurra
Added 1w ago
Water/Wastewater CAD Designer
Ardurra
Knoxville, Tennessee
Consulting & Professional Services
IT Support
Solutions Engineering & Architecture

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Sunrise Medical
CAD Designer Engineer
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Sunrise Medical
Added 2w ago
CAD Designer Engineer
Sunrise Medical
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Customer Service & Support
Customer Support
Technical Program Management
Bachelor of Science
501-1,000

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E
CAD Designer II - AutoCAD (Sign & Structural)
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E
Added 2w ago
CAD Designer II - AutoCAD (Sign & Structural)
Elrod Engineering, LLC
Smyrna, Tennessee
Administrative & Office Support
Customer Service
Human Resources
$25 - $30/hr
On-Site
Associate's degree

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Baron USA, LLC
CAD Designer
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Baron USA, LLC
Added 3w ago
CAD Designer
Baron USA, LLC
Cookeville, Tennessee
Civil & Structural Engineering
Drafting & CAD
Engineering (Non-Software)
$55k - $65k/yr
On-Site
CAD Certification

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See All 9 CAD Designer Jobs in Tennessee

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

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CAD Designer Jobs by City in Tennessee

Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Smyrna
2 jobs
Knoxville
2 jobs
Oakland
1 job
Parsons
1 job
Nashville
1 job
Cookeville
1 job
Mount Juliet
1 job

CAD Designer Job Market in Tennessee

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

Who's Hiring

Franke
Franke1 open role
Ardurra
Ardurra1 open role
Welbilt
Welbilt1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Distribution & Wholesale

What Tennessee Employers Look For

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

  • Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA required by most Tennessee employers
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in drafting, engineering technology, or a related field
  • Experience producing detailed drawings conforming to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering schematics, blueprints, and specifications
  • Familiarity with product lifecycle management or PDM software systems preferred
  • Strong communication skills for collaborating with engineers and project managers on-site

CAD Designer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a cad designer in Tennessee?

Most cad designer positions in Tennessee are filled by candidates who hold an associate or bachelor's degree in drafting technology, mechanical engineering technology, or a related field from a Tennessee community college or university. Tennessee does not require a state-issued license for cad designers, so employers focus on demonstrated software proficiency in tools like AutoCAD or SolidWorks and a portfolio of completed technical drawings. Earning a Certified Drafter credential through the American Design Drafting Association strengthens a candidate's standing considerably.

How much do CAD designers make in Tennessee?

CAD designers in Tennessee earn a median of about $63,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $47,440 for the lowest 10% to over $96,210 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire cad designers in Tennessee?

Employers hiring cad designers in Tennessee right now include Franke, Ardurra, and Welbilt, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's mix of automotive plants, defense contractors, and large utilities creates steady cad designer demand across multiple industries throughout the state.

Which Tennessee cities have the most cad designer jobs?

Smyrna, Knoxville, and Oakland post the most cad designer openings in Tennessee. Nashville's construction boom and corporate headquarters concentration drive its volume, while Knoxville benefits from proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee's engineering ecosystem, and Chattanooga's advanced manufacturing base, anchored by Volkswagen and a growing supplier network, sustains consistent technical hiring.

Are there remote cad designer jobs in Tennessee?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because many cad designer roles require on-site collaboration with engineers, review of physical prototypes, or access to proprietary PLM systems. About 0% of cad designer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote work most prevalent in architectural or civil drafting roles where deliverables are file-based rather than tied to a production floor.

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

The most realistic entry path is completing a drafting technology or engineering technology program at a Tennessee community college such as Nashville State, Chattanooga State, or Pellissippi State, which place graduates directly with local manufacturers and engineering firms. Employers like Tennessee Valley Authority and regional mechanical engineering consultancies regularly hire junior drafters and design technician trainees. Building a portfolio of sample drawings and earning a Certified Drafter credential signals readiness and gives candidates a measurable edge over applicants with only coursework.

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

You can find and apply to cad designer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, find ones that fit your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 9 CAD Designer Jobs in Tennessee

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

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