Computer-Aided Design Operator Jobs
Computer-Aided Design Operator jobs are open across manufacturing, construction, engineering, and architecture, from entry-level drafters to senior CAD technicians, with specializations in mechanical, structural, and electrical drafting. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsStudent or new grad? View Computer-Aided design operator internships →Overview
Showing 5 of 36+ Computer-Aided Design Operator jobs
Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Principal / Sr Principal Computer Aided Design and Modeling Engineer to support radar system development programs in Colorado Springs, CO.
This is a CAD and drafting-focused role responsible for turning Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) drawings into accurate 2D and 3D models, drawings, specifications, and as-built documentation. The role requires a strong focus on ASME standards, applicable codes, safety compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to produce clear, buildable design packages.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, update, and release 2D drawings and 3D models from concepts, sketches, markups, and calculations using tools such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks
- Produce complete drawing packages including dimensions, tolerances, bills of materials, material and finish specifications, fastening methods, and installation procedures
- Review drawings and layouts for clarity, completeness, dimensional accuracy, and compliance with ASME standards, applicable codes, and safety requirements
- Incorporate drawing changes into redlines and as-built drawings
- Identify drawing issues and coordinate revisions with engineers
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, civil/structural, systems, project, and construction teams to incorporate changes and resolve issues
- Support drawing reviews, drawing verification, and documentation release using PLM/PDM tools
- Help improve CAD standards, templates, and drafting best practices
This position can be staffed at either a Principal or Sr Principal level, based on the basic qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications:
- Principal: 5 years with a Bachelor’s in a related field filed, 3 years with a Master’s, or 1 year with a PhD. 4 additional years required in lieu of a degree.
- Sr Principal: 8 years with a Bachelor’s in a related field, 6 years with a Master’s, or 4 years with a PhD. 4 additional years required in lieu of a degree.
- Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance, current and in scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI
- Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD drafting and modeling using AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks
- Experience producing fabrication or installation drawings, specifications, and bills of materials in compliance with ASME drafting standards
- Experience with PLM/PDM systems such as Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, ENOVIA, or ARAS
- Strong attention to detail, spatial reasoning, technical writing, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to travel up to 25%
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a related STEM field.
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance, current and in scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI
- Experience supporting drawing and specification development from COTS provided schematics through as-built documentation
- Experience with Siemens Teamcenter for CAD data management and configuration control
- Experience producing and documenting mechanical hardware interfaces, mounting brackets, cable routing, and cable assemblies
- Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams and working knowledge of applicable building codes and safety standards
- Familiarity with military or industry documentation standards, including USAF Technical Orders
- Experience with integrated electrical and mechanical systems, including testing and issue resolution
- Experience in a government contracting environment
- Exposure to Agile, Scrum, DevOps, or AI-enabled drafting/modeling assistants
Primary Level Salary Range: $94,200.00 - $141,200.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $117,500.00 - $176,300.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Principal / Sr Principal Computer Aided Design and Modeling Engineer to support radar system development programs in Colorado Springs, CO.
This is a CAD and drafting-focused role responsible for turning Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) drawings into accurate 2D and 3D models, drawings, specifications, and as-built documentation. The role requires a strong focus on ASME standards, applicable codes, safety compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to produce clear, buildable design packages.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, update, and release 2D drawings and 3D models from concepts, sketches, markups, and calculations using tools such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks
- Produce complete drawing packages including dimensions, tolerances, bills of materials, material and finish specifications, fastening methods, and installation procedures
- Review drawings and layouts for clarity, completeness, dimensional accuracy, and compliance with ASME standards, applicable codes, and safety requirements
- Incorporate drawing changes into redlines and as-built drawings
- Identify drawing issues and coordinate revisions with engineers
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, civil/structural, systems, project, and construction teams to incorporate changes and resolve issues
- Support drawing reviews, drawing verification, and documentation release using PLM/PDM tools
- Help improve CAD standards, templates, and drafting best practices
This position can be staffed at either a Principal or Sr Principal level, based on the basic qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications:
- Principal: 5 years with a Bachelor’s in a related field filed, 3 years with a Master’s, or 1 year with a PhD. 4 additional years required in lieu of a degree.
- Sr Principal: 8 years with a Bachelor’s in a related field, 6 years with a Master’s, or 4 years with a PhD. 4 additional years required in lieu of a degree.
- Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance, current and in scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI
- Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD drafting and modeling using AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks
- Experience producing fabrication or installation drawings, specifications, and bills of materials in compliance with ASME drafting standards
- Experience with PLM/PDM systems such as Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, ENOVIA, or ARAS
- Strong attention to detail, spatial reasoning, technical writing, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to travel up to 25%
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a related STEM field.
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance, current and in scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI
- Experience supporting drawing and specification development from COTS provided schematics through as-built documentation
- Experience with Siemens Teamcenter for CAD data management and configuration control
- Experience producing and documenting mechanical hardware interfaces, mounting brackets, cable routing, and cable assemblies
- Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams and working knowledge of applicable building codes and safety standards
- Familiarity with military or industry documentation standards, including USAF Technical Orders
- Experience with integrated electrical and mechanical systems, including testing and issue resolution
- Experience in a government contracting environment
- Exposure to Agile, Scrum, DevOps, or AI-enabled drafting/modeling assistants
Primary Level Salary Range: $94,200.00 - $141,200.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $117,500.00 - $176,300.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
See All 36 Computer-Aided Design Operator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsComputer-Aided Design Operator Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Burns & McDonnell12
- Northrop Grumman4
- American Honda Motor3
- Sinclair Community College2
- Pall1
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Aerospace & Defense
- Government & Public Sector
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in Computer-Aided design operator jobs.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit with hands-on drafting experience
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications
- Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standards
- Associate degree or vocational certificate in drafting, CAD technology, or a related field
- Experience creating 2D drawings and 3D models to exact dimensional tolerances
- Familiarity with industry file formats such as DWG, DXF, STEP, and IGES
Tips for Your Computer-Aided Design Operator Job Search
List every CAD software version you know
Hiring managers filter resumes by specific software releases, not just product names. List AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, or CATIA with the version numbers you've used. A vague 'proficient in CAD' line gets skipped while a versioned list gets calls.
Build a portfolio of annotated drawings
Attach a PDF portfolio to every application showing two or three finished drawing sets with your name in the title block. Reviewers want to see tolerances, GD&T callouts, and layer organization, not just pretty renders. Generic samples from tutorials do not count.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists computer-aided design operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by industry file format
Manufacturing shops often require DXF or STEP exports while architecture firms want RVT or DWG. Read each job description for the file formats named. Applying to a structural firm when your portfolio only contains mechanical part files signals a mismatch before the first call.
Prepare a redline correction walkthrough
Interviewers for CAD operator roles frequently ask you to walk through how you handle a marked-up drawing from an engineer. Rehearse a specific example: what the original error was, how you logged the revision, and what you delivered. Vague answers about 'attention to detail' do not land.
Negotiate by citing software certifications
If you hold an Autodesk Certified Professional or Certified SolidWorks Associate credential, name it explicitly during offer discussions. Certified operators reduce training costs, and that tangible value gives you a concrete basis for a higher starting rate than your years of experience alone would support.
Computer-Aided Design Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most computer-aided design operators?
The companies hiring the most computer-aided design operators right now include Burns & McDonnell, Northrop Grumman, and American Honda Motor, with the largest share of openings in Ohio, Colorado, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Manufacturers, engineering consultancies, and construction firms account for the majority of active postings.
How many computer-aided design operator jobs are remote?
About 25% of computer-aided design operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on equipment and file-server access the role often requires. Remote arrangements are most common for drafting roles tied to architectural documentation or civil design, where drawing reviews happen over shared cloud platforms rather than on physical shop floors.
How do you become a computer-aided design operator?
Start by completing a CAD drafting certificate or associate degree program that covers core software and technical drawing standards. Build a portfolio of finished drawing sets demonstrating clean layer organization, accurate tolerances, and proper title block completion. Earning an Autodesk Certified User credential strengthens entry-level applications. From there, target junior drafter or CAD technician postings in manufacturing or engineering firms to build industry-specific experience.
How do you get hired as a computer-aided design operator with little experience?
Focus your application on a tight portfolio of school or personal project drawings that show real technical judgment, not just completed tutorials. Highlight any internship hours, volunteer drafting work, or freelance redline corrections you handled. Smaller fabrication shops and subcontractors are more likely to train a candidate who demonstrates strong fundamentals than large firms expecting day-one productivity.
What does the computer-aided design operator interview process look like?
Most interviews open with a resume walkthrough focused on specific projects and software versions you have used. A practical skills screen follows, often asking you to interpret a marked-up drawing or describe how you organize layers and blocks. Final-round interviews typically involve a conversation with the lead engineer or project manager to assess your communication style and ability to translate verbal redlines into accurate revisions.
Where can I find and apply to computer-aided design operator jobs?
You can find and apply to computer-aided design operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your software skills, industry background, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 36 Computer-Aided Design Operator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs