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Cad Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Manufacturing CAD Engineer

Lebec, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $125K/yr

Manufacturing CAD Engineer Location: California (Remote/Hybrid) We are seeking an experienced ... At least 3 years of experience using 3D CAD software, preferably Cadwork. * Experience creating ...

As a CAD Designer, you will prepare layout drawings and schematic diagrams of temporary works plans ... internal software and programs. * Identifies locations and/or structures that need engineering.

As a CAD Designer, you will prepare layout drawings and schematic diagrams of temporary works plans ... internal software and programs. * Identifies locations and/or structures that need engineering.

Drafter/CAD Operator II

San Diego, CA ยท On-site +1

$26.92 - $29.33/hr

Proficient in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, or similar platforms). * Working knowledge of conventional drafting techniques, engineering terms, and documentation. * Ability to ...

As a CAD Designer, you will prepare layout drawings and schematic diagrams of temporary works plans ... internal software and programs. * Identifies locations and/or structures that need engineering.

Drafter/CAD Operator II

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$26.92 - $29.33/hr

Proficient in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, or similar platforms). * Working knowledge of conventional drafting techniques, engineering terms, and documentation. * Ability to ...

CAD Designer

Concord, CA ยท On-site

$74K - $76K/yr

As a CAD Designer, you will prepare layout drawings and schematic diagrams of temporary works plans ... internal software and programs. * Identifies locations and/or structures that need engineering.

CAD Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$27.50 - $30/hr

Engineering & Science Job Schedule: Full time Remote: No CAD Engineer Company: Hitachi Particle ... Minimum of 3+ years' experience in CAD software * Proficiency in SolidWorks (Drawing environment ...

... software servers, licenses, and user accounts, as well as driving, publishing, and enforcing ... Experience leading, mentoring, or technically directing CAD/MCAD engineers, designers, or ...

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CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$110K - $250K/yr

Collaborate with design engineer, verification engineer, IT, and EDA vendor to optimize EDA license usage * Drive innovation by researching and implementing advanced CAD methodologies that either ...

... software servers, licenses, and user accounts, as well as driving, publishing, and enforcing ... Experience leading, mentoring, or technically directing CAD/MCAD engineers, designers, or ...

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Showing results 21-40

Cad Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$43.4K

$91.9K

$149K

How much do cad software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for cad software engineer in California is $91,910.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $117,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a CAD software engineer?

CAD Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain computer-aided design (CAD) software applications used for creating technical drawings and models in industries such as engineering, architecture, and manufacturing. They specialize in programming and optimizing software tools that enable users to create precise 2D or 3D representations of products and structures. Their work involves both software engineering skills and an understanding of the needs of end-users in technical fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CAD software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CAD Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (often in C++, Python, or Java), a background in computer science or engineering, and a solid understanding of geometry and mathematical modeling. Proficiency with CAD platforms like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA, and familiarity with version control systems and APIs, is typically required. Creative problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the development of reliable, user-friendly CAD solutions that meet engineering needs and client specifications.

What are some common challenges faced by CAD software engineers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

CAD Software Engineers often work closely with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to ensure that design intent is accurately translated into functional products. One common challenge is balancing the technical requirements of different departments while maintaining efficient workflows and meeting tight deadlines. Effective communication and clear documentation are essential to resolve discrepancies in design specifications or constraints. Additionally, adapting to various team members' preferred CAD tools or standards can require flexibility and continuous learning.

What is the difference between Cad Software Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectCad Software EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, CAD certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, CAD skills
Work EnvironmentSoftware development, CAD tool creationProduct design, prototype development
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, CAD software firmsManufacturing, automotive, aerospace
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in CAD software developmentDesigning mechanical components with CAD

The main difference is that a Cad Software Engineer focuses on developing and maintaining CAD software tools, while a Mechanical Design Engineer uses CAD to create and analyze mechanical parts and assemblies. Both roles require CAD skills and engineering knowledge but serve different functions within the product development process.

Is CAD still a good career?

A CAD Software Engineer is a valuable role in industries such as engineering, architecture, and manufacturing, where computer-aided design skills are essential. The demand for CAD professionals remains steady due to ongoing technological advancements and the need for precise design work, especially for those proficient in popular tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit. Continuous learning and certification can enhance career prospects in this field.
Infographic showing various Cad Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,910 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer, CAD Interoperability

Zoo

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$145K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

About Us
Zoo is building the next generation of hardware design tools redefining how hardware products are designed, developed, and built. Our platform combines a modern, cloud-native CAD environment with AI-powered engineering workflows, helping teams design, iterate, and manufacture products faster than ever before. We are headquartered in Los Angeles, CA with both a local and remote team. We were founded and incubated by Embedded Ventures in 2021.
About You
We're looking for curious, innovative, and ambitious self-starters to join our growing team to help us bring our mission to life. We think you'll thrive on our team if you're:
  • Curious at your core, with an eagerness to learn and do things differently
  • Customer-focused, always thinking about ways to improve the user experience
  • Able to operate autonomously and work asynchronously, while also being an effective team player

About The Role
We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer, CAD Interoperability, who can help build the systems that convert native and proprietary CAD formats into Zoo's KCL, our new programming language for 3D design. You'll work at the intersection of CAD data extraction, geometry processing, and code generation, turning models from third-party CAD systems into structured KCL representations. This role is for someone who enjoys digging into complex CAD systems, working with CAD SDKs and APIs, and building robust import pipelines that preserve model structure and design intent as much as possible.
What You'll Do
  • Design, implement, and maintain import pipelines that convert native and proprietary CAD formats into Zoo's KCL.
  • Build systems for extracting feature information from CAD files and applications, including sketches, dimensions, constraints, parameters, feature trees, assemblies, metadata, PMI, and related design intent.
  • Develop extractors using native CAD application APIs and toolkits where interoperability SDKs are insufficient.
  • Translate extracted CAD structure, geometry, parameters, and feature information into KCL that faithfully represents the original model.
  • Build validation, testing, and comparison tools to measure conversion quality across geometry, topology, feature information, assemblies, and generated KCL output.
  • Handle edge cases across proprietary formats, CAD versions, modeling kernels, malformed files, incomplete metadata, and inconsistent vendor API behavior.
  • Collaborate with the file format, modeling, and product teams to improve Zoo's CAD import experience and expand support for real-world customer files.
What You'll Need
  • B.S. in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Strong professional experience in software engineering, ideally involving CAD, geometry, file formats, code generation, or data extraction systems.
  • Experience working with complex technical data formats, application APIs, SDKs, or translation pipelines.
  • Proficiency in a systems programming language such as Rust or C++, with comfort working across language boundaries and vendor SDKs.
  • Experience building automated tests, validation tools, and debugging workflows for complex technical systems.
  • Ability to work autonomously, investigate unfamiliar systems, and make pragmatic technical decisions in a fast-moving environment.
Nice to Have
  • Strong understanding of CAD model structure, including parts, assemblies, sketches, constraints, dimensions, features, parameters, B-rep geometry, and tessellated representations.
  • Experience with CAD interoperability SDKs such as HOOPS Exchange, CoreTechnologie 3D_Kernel_IO, Open Design Alliance, CAD Exchanger, Datakit, or similar tools.
  • Experience with native CAD APIs such as SOLIDWORKS API, Creo TOOLKIT, NX Open, CATIA CAA/API, Inventor API, or similar.
  • Experience with STEP, IGES, Parasolid, ACIS, JT, glTF, STL, or other CAD and 3D exchange formats.
  • Experience generating structured source code from model data, especially for DSLs or domain-specific modeling languages.
  • Familiarity with KCL or other programmatic CAD workflows.

The salary range for this role is provided below. The final offer will depend on multiple factors including candidate experience, skills, expertise, and market data. Compensation may vary by geography. In addition to salary, we offer competitive equity as well as a full benefits package which may vary by geography as well.
Salary Range
$145,000-$195,000 USD
Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Zoo team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals from across the globe. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, Veteran status, age, or any other trait that unfairly targets a group of people. We encourage everyone interested in our mission to apply!