CAD Engineer Jobs in California
CAD Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, medical device development, and architecture and civil infrastructure, with openings at every level from entry-level drafters to senior design engineers. The most active hiring metros are the Los Angeles basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and Medtronic maintain major California operations. The most sought-after specialties in California listings are mechanical CAD for aerospace assemblies, PCB and chip-level layout, and building information modeling for large infrastructure projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 41+ CAD Engineer jobs
As a CAD/PLM Support Engineer on the DesignTech Support (DTSS) team, you will be a primary point of contact for design and manufacturing engineers who rely on CAD and PLM platforms to build Tesla's products. You will triage and resolve support tickets, provision and govern tool access, and help keep the open support queue under control in a high-volume, multi-site environment. This role is focused on day-to-day technical support excellence and backlog health, working closely with senior engineers on escalations, training content, and platform upgrades.
Tesla is seeking a 3DEXPERIENCE Expert to, support and optimize the workflow of vehicle, energy, and robotics design engineers on Tesla’s most exciting product lines, like Optimus, Robotaxi, 4680, Semi, Roadster, and many more unannounced products. You will have a crucial role in delivering these products via tools like 3DEXPERIENCE, while also leveraging your experience in other related applications such as SolidWorks, Revit, Altium, and Cadence.
At Tesla, we value hard work, attention to detail, and passion. We also offer a transparent, open and written-first communication culture that promotes first principles thinking. You’ll thrive in our dynamic, fast-paced environment, where your contributions will directly impact the development of some of the world’s most exciting and transformative products.
What You'll Do
- Diagnose and resolve issues across CAD and PLM platforms including 3DEXPERIENCE (ENOVIA), CATIA V6/3DX, and related engineering tools
- Support users with PLM workflows including part creation, BOM management, change actions, maturity/revision control, and collaborative space usage in 3DX/ENOVIA
- Own tickets end-to-end in Jira (DTSS): triage, investigate, communicate status, resolve or correctly escalate with clear handoff notes
- Participate in on-call / critical response for P1 and high-impact production blockers
- Identify recurring failure modes and feed them into runbooks, bulk-close filters, or training content to reduce repeat volume
- Provision and revoke access for collaborative spaces, applications, and engineering tool entitlements in accordance with DesignTech access policy
- Coordinate with license/vendor ops on shortages, server issues, and named-user vs floating license problems (FlexLM, DSLS, and related managers)
- Help drive open-queue reduction targets through disciplined triage, stale-ticket hygiene, and separation of access vs technical work
- Improve Jira workflows where practical (labels, components, macros, simple automation)
- Assist with office hours, and how-to content for common CAD/PLM tasks
What You'll Bring
- Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science,or equivalent experience
- 2+ years of experience supporting CAD and/or PLM tools in an enterprise or engineering environment
- Hands-on experience with one or more of: CATIA V5, 3DEXPERIENCE / ENOVIA
- Working knowledge of PDM/PLM concepts: BOM, revision control, change management, collaborative spaces
- Experience using Jira (or equivalent) for ticket-driven support
- Ability to work across global sites and time zones (NA / EU / APAC handoffs)
- Prior CAD design or manufacturing engineering experience (helps with user context)
- Exposure to license managers (FlexLM, DSLS, Ansys License Manager, OpenLM)
- Basic scripting (PowerShell, Python, or shell) for support automation
- Experience writing end-user documentation or delivering short training sessions
Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
- Tesla Babies program
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
As a CAD/PLM Support Engineer on the DesignTech Support (DTSS) team, you will be a primary point of contact for design and manufacturing engineers who rely on CAD and PLM platforms to build Tesla's products. You will triage and resolve support tickets, provision and govern tool access, and help keep the open support queue under control in a high-volume, multi-site environment. This role is focused on day-to-day technical support excellence and backlog health, working closely with senior engineers on escalations, training content, and platform upgrades.
Tesla is seeking a 3DEXPERIENCE Expert to, support and optimize the workflow of vehicle, energy, and robotics design engineers on Tesla’s most exciting product lines, like Optimus, Robotaxi, 4680, Semi, Roadster, and many more unannounced products. You will have a crucial role in delivering these products via tools like 3DEXPERIENCE, while also leveraging your experience in other related applications such as SolidWorks, Revit, Altium, and Cadence.
At Tesla, we value hard work, attention to detail, and passion. We also offer a transparent, open and written-first communication culture that promotes first principles thinking. You’ll thrive in our dynamic, fast-paced environment, where your contributions will directly impact the development of some of the world’s most exciting and transformative products.
What You'll Do
- Diagnose and resolve issues across CAD and PLM platforms including 3DEXPERIENCE (ENOVIA), CATIA V6/3DX, and related engineering tools
- Support users with PLM workflows including part creation, BOM management, change actions, maturity/revision control, and collaborative space usage in 3DX/ENOVIA
- Own tickets end-to-end in Jira (DTSS): triage, investigate, communicate status, resolve or correctly escalate with clear handoff notes
- Participate in on-call / critical response for P1 and high-impact production blockers
- Identify recurring failure modes and feed them into runbooks, bulk-close filters, or training content to reduce repeat volume
- Provision and revoke access for collaborative spaces, applications, and engineering tool entitlements in accordance with DesignTech access policy
- Coordinate with license/vendor ops on shortages, server issues, and named-user vs floating license problems (FlexLM, DSLS, and related managers)
- Help drive open-queue reduction targets through disciplined triage, stale-ticket hygiene, and separation of access vs technical work
- Improve Jira workflows where practical (labels, components, macros, simple automation)
- Assist with office hours, and how-to content for common CAD/PLM tasks
What You'll Bring
- Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science,or equivalent experience
- 2+ years of experience supporting CAD and/or PLM tools in an enterprise or engineering environment
- Hands-on experience with one or more of: CATIA V5, 3DEXPERIENCE / ENOVIA
- Working knowledge of PDM/PLM concepts: BOM, revision control, change management, collaborative spaces
- Experience using Jira (or equivalent) for ticket-driven support
- Ability to work across global sites and time zones (NA / EU / APAC handoffs)
- Prior CAD design or manufacturing engineering experience (helps with user context)
- Exposure to license managers (FlexLM, DSLS, Ansys License Manager, OpenLM)
- Basic scripting (PowerShell, Python, or shell) for support automation
- Experience writing end-user documentation or delivering short training sessions
Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
- Tesla Babies program
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
See All 41 CAD Engineer Jobs in California
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Find CAD Engineer JobsCAD Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
CAD Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Telecommunications
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in CAD engineer jobs across California.
- Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA
- Associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, drafting technology, or a related field
- Experience producing engineering drawings to GD&T and ASME Y14.5 standards
- Familiarity with PDM or PLM systems such as Windchill, Teamcenter, or Vault
- Ability to read and interpret complex assembly and manufacturing drawings independently
- Strong collaboration skills for working across engineering, manufacturing, and design teams
CAD Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cad engineer in California?
Most California employers hire cad engineers with an associate degree in drafting and design technology or a bachelor's degree in mechanical or civil engineering. California does not require a state license specifically for cad engineers, but earning a Certified SolidWorks Associate credential or an Autodesk certification strengthens candidacy significantly. Community colleges across the state, including those in the California Community Colleges system, offer accredited CAD technology programs that lead directly into entry-level roles.
How much do CAD engineers make in California?
CAD engineers in California earn a median of about $130,850 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,950 for the lowest 10% to over $212,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cad engineers in California?
Employers hiring cad engineers in California right now include Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Astranis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, medical device manufacturers, and semiconductor equipment firms means consistent demand across a range of industries throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most cad engineer jobs?
The cities with the most cad engineer openings in California are Santa Clara, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. The distribution reflects California's major industrial clusters: the Los Angeles basin anchors aerospace and defense work with large contractors nearby, the Bay Area drives semiconductor and tech hardware demand, and San Diego's life sciences and defense corridor generates steady openings for both mechanical and electrical CAD roles.
Are there remote cad engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited. CAD engineering often requires access to physical prototypes, lab equipment, or secure on-site systems, which keeps most roles on-site or hybrid. About 39% of cad engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. The roles most likely to offer remote flexibility are those focused on 2D documentation, standards writing, or design review rather than hands-on model development or manufacturing support.
How can I get hired as a cad engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a CAD drafting or engineering technology program at a California Community College and building a project portfolio before applying. Large California defense and aerospace employers often post associate or junior drafter roles that accept new graduates, and some run structured engineering rotation programs. Transitioning from a CNC machinist, manufacturing technician, or architecture intern role is also common. Earning a software-specific certification such as a Certified SolidWorks Associate credential gives candidates without work history a concrete credential to lead with.
Where can I find and apply to cad engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cad engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, medical devices, semiconductors, civil infrastructure, and more. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employer through each listing.
See All 41 CAD Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find CAD Engineer Jobs