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Computer Aided Design Engineer Jobs in California

Atomic Machines

AI CAD Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site +1

$210K - $260K/yr

As a CAD Automation Engineer, you will have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and shape our CAD/automation workflows by developing generative and programmatic CAD pipelines that transform design ...

Xoriant Corporation

CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA

Ensure robustness, scalability, and maintainability of developed solutions Required Qualifications * 5+ years of experience in CAD/EDA development or related engineering roles * Strong programming ...

Hitachi

CAD Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$27.50 - $30/hr

No CAD Engineer Company: Hitachi Particle Engineering and Services, Inc. Location: Pleasanton, CA Status: 6 - 12 month contract (eligible for extension) The Company Hitachi Particle Engineering and ...

Apple

Sr. CAD Engineer - Apple Vision Pro

Sunnyvale, CA

$212K - $386K/yr

Description As a CAD engineer on this team, you will play a pivotal role working closely with the Product Design Engineering Team in 3D and 2D CAD. You will provide support in advanced CAD surfacing ...

SAIC

CAD Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a CAD Design Engineer in San Diego, CA. * Build IRD and IDP's per NAVWAR standards. * Incorporate site redlines and create As-Built packages from install notes. * Create ...

Supernal

Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

The Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer supports aircraft configuration development, vehicle layout, packaging, and structural design integration for advanced air vehicle concepts. This role develops ...

Astranis

Senior CAD Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$123K - $169K/yr

Senior CAD Engineer As an Astranis Senior CAD Engineer you will be a leader in the design and configuration of our spacecraft and the documentation and processes used to transfer from design to ...

Western Digital

EDA- CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA

The job opening is for a full-time Electronic Design Automation (EDA) CAD Engineer in the Design Group in Western Digital's research department. The role will be a part of a multi-functional team ...

Western Digital

EDA- CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

The job opening is for a full-time Electronic Design Automation (EDA) CAD Engineer in the Design Group in Western Digital's research department. The role will be a part of a multi-functional team ...

Western Digital

EDA- CAD Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$145K - $194K/yr

The job opening is for a full-time Electronic Design Automation (EDA) CAD Engineer in the Design Group in Western Digital's research department. The role will be a part of a multi-functional team ...

Space Kinetic

CAD Design Engineer

El Segundo, CA

The CAD Design Engineer will design and build prototypes for the Space Kinetic's core technology to achieve our mission of a flight demo within the next 2 years in a fast-paced startup environment.

Space Kinetic

CAD Design Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The CAD Design Engineer will design and build prototypes for the Space Kinetic's core technology to achieve our mission of a flight demo within the next 2 years in a fast-paced startup environment.

Space Kinetic

CAD Design Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The CAD Design Engineer will design and build prototypes for the Space Kinetic's core technology to achieve our mission of a flight demo within the next 2 years in a fast-paced startup environment.

Lucid Motors

CAD Engineer, Lighting Systems

Newark, CA · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

As a CAD Engineer specializing in Lighting Systems, you will be responsible for the design and development of lighting components, ensuring they meet quality standards and customer requirements. You ...

MatX

ASIC/SOC CAD Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$175K - $362K/yr

MatX is seeking a Physical Design CAD Engineer to join our team as we create best-in-class silicon for high-performance and sustainable GenAI. The ASIC/SOC Physically Design CAD Engineer will be ...

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Computer Aided Design Engineer information

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How much do computer aided design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for computer aided design engineer in California is $50.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.65 and $60.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a computer-aided design engineer do?

A computer-aided design (CAD) engineer creates detailed technical drawings and 3D models of products, structures, or components using CAD software. They collaborate with engineers and designers to develop accurate designs, often working with tools like AutoCAD or SolidWorks, and ensure designs meet specifications and standards.

Is CAD still in demand?

Computer Aided Design (CAD) engineers are in consistent demand across industries such as manufacturing, architecture, and engineering, as CAD skills are essential for designing and drafting. The need for CAD professionals is expected to grow with advancements in technology and increased project complexity, making CAD a valuable skill for job stability and career growth.

What is the difference between Computer Aided Design Engineer vs Mechanical Drafter?

AspectComputer Aided Design EngineerMechanical Drafter
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field, CAD certificationsAssociate's degree or technical diploma, CAD training
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, engineering firms, manufacturing companiesDrafting departments, manufacturing plants, engineering firms
Industry UsageProduct design, engineering development, prototypingCreating detailed technical drawings for manufacturing

Computer Aided Design Engineers focus on designing and developing products using CAD software, often requiring engineering knowledge. Mechanical Drafters primarily prepare detailed technical drawings based on engineers' designs. While both roles use CAD tools and work in similar environments, CAD Engineers are more involved in the design process, whereas Drafters focus on drafting and documentation.

How much do CAD engineers get paid?

CAD engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $60,000 to $85,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior or specialized CAD engineers with certifications and advanced skills can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain senior software engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and working in high-paying industries or leadership positions.
What are the most commonly searched types of Computer Aided Design Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Computer Aided Design Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Computer Aided Design Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Computer Aided Design Engineer job openings:
Computer Aided Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Computer Aided Design Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 94% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,055 per year, or $50 per hour.
AI CAD Engineer

AI CAD Engineer

Atomic Machines

Emeryville, CA • On-site, Remote

$210K - $260K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler™ technology platform. This platform enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by providing manufacturing processes and a materials library that are inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. It unlocks MEMS manufacturing not only for device classes that could never be produced by semiconductor methods, but also for entirely new categories. Furthermore, this digital platform is fully programmable in the way 3D printing is digital—but whereas 3D printing produces parts of a single material using a single process, the Matter Compiler™ technology platform is a multi-process, multi-material system: bits and raw materials go in, and complete, functional micromachines come out. The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device—made possible only through the Matter Compiler™ technology platform—that we will be unveiling to the world soon.
Our offices are in Emeryville and Santa Clara, California.
About The Role:

As a CAD Automation Engineer, you will have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and shape our CAD/automation workflows by developing generative and programmatic CAD pipelines that transform design specifications into manufacturable micro-device assemblies. You'll collaborate closely with our AI, Modeling & Simulation, and Design teams to build systems that automatically explore, assemble, and optimize designs from a library of components. You will join a tight cross-functional team dedicated to pushing the limits of micro-manufacturing and computational design.

This position is onsite in our Emeryville, CA office, with openness to an occasional work-from-home arrangement when needed.

When referencing the compensation band below, please note that it may vary based on a candidate's experience and level. This role is not tied to a single level and may span earlier-in-career through senior-level candidates (L4–L6). Final leveling will be determined during the interview process. We are open to strong earlier-career candidates who are excited to grow into broader technical leadership or architectural responsibility over time.

What You'll Do:
  • Build CAD workflows that programmatically construct, modify, and evaluate 3D assemblies. This includes:
    • Manipulating and parametrizing CAD models to support iterative design and optimization.
    • Integrating with CAD APIs to move beyond GUI-based workflows, enabling high-throughput automated modeling and simulation.
    • Developing geometric intelligence — algorithms that infer how parts mate, fit, and interact to form functional assemblies.
  • Create and maintain a library of parametric components for generative design exploration.
  • Develop GenAI-driven workflows for CAD generation and automated design exploration.
What You'll Need:

Required

  • Deep expertise in CAD manipulation and parametrization, including scripting and automation (e.g., with Onshape API, SolidWorks API, Fusion API, or similar).
  • Strong background in programmatic CAD workflows.
  • Knowledge of AI-based CAD generation or generative design algorithms.
  • Deep understanding of CAD interoperability standards (STEP, IGES, JT, or similar).
  • Proficiency in interacting with CAD software via APIs (Python, C++, or other relevant languages).
  • Experience in parsing large sets of CAD models with product and manufacturing information to create batchable datasets for training.
  • Bachelor's or Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computational Design, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • For Staff level, 10+ years of industrial experience (post Bachelor's), or 8+ years of industrial experience (post Master's) or 5+ years of industrial experience (post PhD), with the option of relaxing these requirements for a Senior level position.

Nice to have

  • Experience with geometric modeling kernels (e.g., OpenCascade, Parasolid).
  • Experience in mastering NURBS and B-Rep.
  • Experience with meshing, especially for simulation or manufacturing purposes.
  • Experience with Model-Based Definitions.

Bonus Points For

  • Experience with implicit geometric representations.
  • Experience with simulation-in-the-loop design, shape optimization, or topology optimization workflows.

The compensation for this position also includes equity and benefits.

Salary Range
$210,000—$260,000 USD