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Cad Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Atomics

CAD Designer - Propulsion

Poway, CA · On-site

$27.75 - $38.25/hr

Will work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices ... CAD software with at least two of those years spent utilizing ProEngineer, CATIA or IDEAS ...

General Atomics

CAD Designer - Propulsion

Poway, CA · On-site +1

$27.50 - $38/hr

Will work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices ... CAD software with at least two of those years spent utilizing ProEngineer, CATIA or IDEAS ...

General Atomics

CAD Designer - Propulsion

Poway, CA · On-site

$27.50 - $38/hr

Will work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices ... CAD software with at least two of those years spent utilizing ProEngineer, CATIA or IDEAS ...

CesiumAstro

Principal CAD Designer

El Segundo, CA

$48.50 - $58.23/hr

We are looking to add a Principal CAD Designer to our team. If you are great at what you do, enjoy working in a startup environment, and are passionate about developing leading-edge hardware for ...

Flory Industries

CAD Drafter

Salida, CA

$25 - $38/hr

CAD DrafterPay: $25-$38/hr (DOE)Schedule: Full-timeBenefits: 401k, Medical - Dental - Vision - Life - FSA - Aflac, 9 Paid Holiday'sRole OverviewThe CAD Drafter supports the Engineering team by ...

General Atomics

Engineering CAD Drafter

Poway, CA · On-site

$23 - $31/hr

Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices. * Experience with KeyCreator (CADKey) or equivalent, and Zuken E3 or other design tree-based CAD ...

Mosaic.tech

NX CAD Support Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns ... About the Role As an NX Cad Admin / Triage support at Anduril, you will be instrumental in ...

Anduril Industries

NX CAD Support Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns ... About the Role As an NX Cad Admin / Triage support at Anduril, you will be instrumental in ...

Flory Industries

CAD Drafter

Salida, CA · On-site

$25 - $38/hr

CAD Drafter Pay: $25-$38/hr (DOE) Schedule: Full-time Benefits: 401k, Medical - Dental - Vision - Life - FSA - Aflac, 9 Paid Holiday's Role Overview The CAD Drafter supports the Engineering team by ...

Aequor

CAD Designer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$29.50 - $40.75/hr

Please visit www.aequor.com for additional information The CAD designer will be required to rely on experience and training to accomplish goals with minimal supervision. Create/update AutoCAD ...

CesiumAstro

Principal CAD Designer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$28.75 - $39.75/hr

We are looking to add a Principal CAD Designer to our team. If you are great at what you do, enjoy working in a startup environment, and are passionate about developing leading-edge hardware for ...

CesiumAstro

Principal CAD Designer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$48.50 - $58.23/hr

We are looking to add a Principal CAD Designer to our team. If you are great at what you do, enjoy working in a startup environment, and are passionate about developing leading-edge hardware for ...

Aleph Group

Be Seen First

CAD Draftsperson

Riverside, CA · On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Job Summary Aleph Group Inc. is seeking an experienced CAD / SolidWorks Designer with a strong background in fabrication and manufacturing . The ideal candidate will be comfortable taking concepts ...

Tetra Tech, Inc.

CAD Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$28.50 - $40.33/hr

Tetra Tech is looking to add CAD Designers to our team. If you enjoy bringing civil designs to life using AutoCAD Civil 3D, collaborating with engineers and project managers, and seeing your work ...

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Cad Operator information

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How much do cad operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for cad operator in California is $22.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $25.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a CAD operator?

CAD operators use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create drawings and blueprints for a variety of products and buildings. They usually specialize in a specific field, such as architectural drafting, civil drafting, or mechanical drafting, and work closely with a team of engineers and architects to produce accurate and safe plans for each product. The job is essential in many industries, including architecture, aerospace, construction, engineering, and manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CAD operator?

To thrive as a CAD Operator, you need a solid understanding of drafting principles, technical drawing, and attention to detail, typically supported by a degree or certification in drafting or engineering technology. Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or MicroStation, along with familiarity with file management systems, is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, communication, and the ability to collaborate with engineers and architects are valuable soft skills. These abilities ensure accurate, efficient creation of technical drawings that support project success in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by CAD operators when working on collaborative design projects?

CAD Operators often work closely with architects, engineers, and other design professionals, which can present challenges related to version control, communication, and ensuring design intent is accurately represented. Miscommunication about revisions or project specifications can lead to errors or rework, so attention to detail and clear documentation are crucial. Many teams use shared platforms or project management tools to streamline collaboration, but adapting to different workflows and software standards may also be necessary.

What is the difference between Cad Operator vs Draftsman?

AspectCad OperatorDraftsman
Required CredentialsTypically high school diploma; some roles may require CAD certificationHigh school diploma; often CAD training or certification
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, engineering firms, construction companiesArchitectural, engineering, or manufacturing settings
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in construction, engineering, architectureUsed in architecture, engineering, manufacturing

Both Cad Operators and Draftsmen work with CAD software in similar environments, focusing on creating technical drawings. While their roles overlap, Cad Operators often handle more technical tasks and software operation, whereas Draftsmen may focus more on drafting and design details. The choice depends on specific job responsibilities and required certifications.

How much do CAD operators earn?

CAD operators typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced operators with advanced skills or certifications can earn higher salaries. The role often requires proficiency in CAD software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks and attention to detail.

Is a CAD operator still a good career?

A CAD operator is a skilled professional who creates technical drawings and plans using computer-aided design software. The role remains in demand in industries such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing, especially as digital design tools continue to evolve. Strong technical skills and certifications can enhance job prospects and career growth in this field.
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Cad Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cad Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 41% Full Time, 55% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,965 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

CAD Design Engineer, NPI

San Carlos, CA • On-site

CelLink Corporation
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about CelLink Corporationexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

We'll be upfront, this isn't one of those CAD roles where you'll spend every day creating brand-new products from a blank screen. What it is, however, is an opportunity to become deeply embedded in the engineering process behind some of the most advanced technologies being used in EVs and next-generation electronics.
As a CAD Design Engineer, you will be crucial in supporting and improving the products that are already powering some major electrification programs. Rather than starting from a blank sheet of paper, you'll work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to optimize existing designs, improve manufacturability, and help bring innovative products to production at scale. The reality is that great products don't make it to production because of a single brilliant design. They make it because talented engineers continuously improve, refine, and optimize them as requirements evolve. That's where this role comes in.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Create and maintain 3D CAD models and 2D engineering drawings for wire harnesses, flexible circuits, and battery interconnect assemblies using established CAD standards and best practices
  • Modify and improve existing designs to support manufacturing, quality, and customer requirements
  • Collaborate with Design, Process, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams to implement engineering changes and manufacturability improvements
  • Add manufacturing features and design updates that improve production efficiency and product robustness
  • Support the release and revision of engineering components, assemblies, and documentation
  • Apply and maintain geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) practices in engineering drawings
  • Manage and distribute CAD data to internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams
  • Develop CAD best practices, standards, and training materials to support engineering consistency and efficiency
  • Contribute design support and technical expertise to future product development initiatives

Educational Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, CAD Design, or a related technical field
  • 2+ years of CAD design experience, preferably supporting electrical, electromechanical, automotive, or manufacturing-related products
  • Experience managing large assemblies and complex 3D CAD models
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a desire to continuously learn and improve
  • Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with engineering and manufacturing teams

Preferred Experience
  • SolidWorks experience
  • Experience supporting manufacturing or production environments
  • Startup experience
  • Familiarity with wire harnesses, flexible circuits, battery systems, or electromechanical assemblies

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
Working Conditions/Hours
Salaried Exempt
Physical Demands - Office and Manufacturing Environment
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms and pull/push; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment -
Includes both a typical office environment, with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues, and a shop environment, with exposure to high noise levels from operating machines, physical hazards from moving equipment and machine parts, nuisance dust, and skin exposure to chemicals used to run/maintain machines.
PPE
May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to safety glasses, safety shoes, bump-caps, gloves, hair nets, masks, & clean-room frocks while adhering to the prescribed safety procedures.
CelLink CA Privacy Policy
We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates are essential to our success. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees while building teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. CelLink participates in the E-Verify program in specific locations as required by law.
CelLink was founded in 2012 and entered volume production in 2018. CelLink provides electrical systems to the world's leading automotive OEMs & EV manufacturers, data center developers, and stationary power companies. The company has raised approximately $315M in funding through private investment and multiple grants from the US Department of Energy. CelLink's investors include 3M, Atreides, BMW, BorgWarner, Bosch, D1 Capital, Fidelity, Fontinalis Partners, Ford, Franklin Templeton, Lear, Park West, SK Telecom, Standard Investments, T. Rowe Price, Tinicum, and Whale Rock.

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