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Inventor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Designer I (Inventor Focused) Pay: $55,000 - $70,000 Direct Hire Location: Cincinnati , OH Zip code: 45237 Shift: 1st Shift Start Date: Immediate Tags: #CincinnatiJobs; #DesignerJobs seeking a team ...

3D CAD Automation Engineer

Golden, CO · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking an Autodesk Inventor Software Engineer to design, develop, and implement 3D CAD automation solutions using Autodesk Inventor. This role is responsible for creating ...

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Inventor information

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$51K

$91.3K

$125K

How much do inventor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for inventor in the United States is $91,283.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $99,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much is an Inventor for a year?

An inventor's annual income varies widely depending on factors such as experience, success of inventions, and whether they work independently or for a company. On average, inventors may earn from $50,000 to over $100,000 per year, with successful patent holders potentially earning more through licensing or royalties. Many inventors also supplement income through consulting, product development, or related activities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Inventor position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Inventor, you need a strong foundation in creative problem-solving, engineering or scientific knowledge, and a solid grasp of research and development processes. Familiarity with CAD software, prototyping tools, and intellectual property regulations—such as experience filing patents—are commonly required. Persistence, curiosity, and effective collaboration are key soft skills for turning ideas into viable products or solutions. These skills and qualities are crucial for navigating complex challenges and bringing innovative concepts to market.

What job is an Inventor?

An inventor is a professional who creates new devices, processes, or products through innovation and technical skills. They often work in research and development environments, utilizing tools like CAD software and prototypes, and may seek patents for their inventions.

What can you do with Inventor?

An Inventor is a professional who designs, develops, and tests new inventions or products. They use skills in engineering, prototyping, and CAD software like Autodesk Inventor to create detailed models and technical drawings, often working in research, development, or manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges inventors face, and how can they overcome them?

Inventors often face challenges such as securing funding for prototypes, protecting intellectual property, and navigating the process of bringing a new idea to market. Collaborating with legal experts, business advisors, and product development teams can help address these obstacles by ensuring proper patent filings and solid business strategies. It’s also important to continuously refine and test prototypes to improve functionality and appeal to potential investors or partners. With persistence and a strong support network, inventors can transform innovative concepts into successful products.

What job invents things?

An inventor is a person who creates new devices, processes, or products through innovation and problem-solving. Inventors often work in research and development environments, use tools like CAD software, and may seek patents to protect their inventions.

What does an Inventor do?

An Inventor creates new devices, processes, or products by developing innovative ideas and turning them into tangible solutions. They often conduct research, design prototypes, and test their concepts to improve functionality. Inventors work in various fields, including technology, medicine, and engineering, and may seek patents to protect their creations. Many work independently, while others collaborate with companies or research organizations. Their goal is to solve problems and contribute to advancements in their industry.

More about Inventor jobs
What cities are hiring for Inventor jobs? Cities with the most Inventor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Inventor jobs? The most popular types of Inventor jobs are:
What states have the most Inventor jobs? States with the most job openings for Inventor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Inventor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,283 per year, or $43.9 per hour.
Drafter / Inventor & Vault Lead

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Description

REPORTS TO: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TEAM LEAD

We are seeking a highly organized and technically skilled Drafter / Inventor & Vault Lead to support custom engineered manufacturing projects from concept through production. This role combines hands-on mechanical drafting and modeling responsibilities with ownership of our Autodesk Inventor and Vault environments, standards, and workflows.

The ideal candidate is both a strong individual contributor and a systems-minded CAD administrator who can improve drafting quality, maintain engineering data integrity, and help standardize design processes across the organization.

This position is well suited for someone who values structure, accuracy, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced custom manufacturing environment.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNCTIONS


Mechanical Drafting & Design

  • Create and maintain detailed 3D models, assemblies, and fabrication drawings using Autodesk Inventor 
  • Produce manufacturing-ready drawings including: 
  • Weldments 
  • Machined components 
  • Sheet metal parts 
  • Assemblies 
  • Bills of materials (BOMs) 
  • Revise existing designs and drawings to support engineering changes and production improvements 
  • Collaborate with engineering, production, purchasing, and quality teams to ensure manufacturable and accurate documentation 
  • Assist with prototype development and shop-floor problem solving 

________________________________________

Autodesk Inventor Leadership

  • Serve as the internal subject matter expert for Autodesk Inventor
  • Create custom scripts using iLogic to increase CAD automation level
  • Establish and maintain Inventor best practices, modeling standards, and design workflows 
  • Support users with troubleshooting, training, and workflow improvements 
  • Maintain drawing standards, templates, title blocks, and model organization 
  • Manage: 
  • Templates 
  • iProperties 
  • Content Center libraries 
  • Design data 
  • Standardized part libraries 
  • Lead CAD process improvement initiatives to improve consistency and efficiency 

________________________________________

Autodesk Vault Administration

  • Administer and maintain Autodesk Vault Professional environment 
  • Manage: 
  • User permissions 
  • Lifecycles 
  • Revision schemes 
  • File organization 
  • Numbering systems 
  • Change management workflows 
  • Ensure engineering data integrity, revision control, and document traceability 
  • Coordinate Vault backup, maintenance, and upgrade activities with IT or external support providers 
  • Troubleshoot Vault-related issues and support end users 
  • Develop and maintain documentation for Vault procedures and standards
  • Assist other departments with Vault adoption as required

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS

  • Associate degree or technical certification in Drafting, Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, or related field 
  • 5+ years of mechanical drafting/design experience in a manufacturing environment 
  • Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Inventor 
  • Experience administering or supporting Autodesk Vault Professional 
  • Strong understanding of: 
  • Mechanical drafting standards 
  • Manufacturing processes 
  • Weldments and fabrication 
  • BOM structure and revision control 
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously 
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills 

________________________________________

Preferred Certifications

Candidates with Autodesk certifications are strongly preferred.


Preferred Individual Contributor Certifications

  • Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) - Inventor for Mechanical Design 
  • Autodesk Certified User (ACU) - Inventor 


Preferred CAD Administration / Vault Experience

  • Autodesk Vault Professional administration training 
  • Autodesk Vault workflow and lifecycle management experience 
  • Autodesk learning coursework related to Vault administration and data management 


Equivalent real-world experience managing Inventor and Vault environments in a manufacturing setting will also be considered.


Preferred Experience

  • Custom equipment or engineered-to-order manufacturing 
  • Sheet metal and weldment design 
  • ERP/MRP integration with CAD systems 
  • ECO/change management processes 
  • Multi-user CAD environments 
  • CAD standards development and governance 


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to access industrial environments including climbing ladders, walking long distances, and standing for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
  • Ability to work in varying environmental conditions (heat, cold, noise, dust).


Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.