What does a computer aided drafter do?
A computer-aided drafter is responsible for creating designs, usually for industrial manufacturing and construction projects, using computer-aided software systems and applications. Computer-aided drafters should have excellent command in programming languages and navigating computer system codes to develop a technical output, following the clients' specifications and business requirements. They also work closely with design engineers to discuss dimensions, costs, materials, and production processes. A computer-aided drafter must be highly communicative and organizational, incorporating all the schematics, developing operational manuals, and performing draft adjustment as needed.
Computer aided drafter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer aided drafter resumes:
- Clean up architectural drawings to bare walls, convert layers and add masonry reinforcements to walls, doors and windows.
- Used VBA to program business tools.
- Create detail blue prints for jigs to be build for production.
- Translate REVIT (BIM) files into AutoCAD-ready files from contract architect.
- Create PowerPoint presentations to introduce the flows of the conveyor belt systems.
- Conduct field and sketch analysis to determine the most effective approach for plan development.
- Search past project documents and transfer relevant information to current project, sketch basic details.
- Produce electronic drawing files and drawing packages for general fabrication, assembly and CNC machining.
- Prepare necessary parts lists, BOM's, electrical termination tables and wire lists as applicable.
- Handle process from approve drawings, including BOM's, girder sequence, heat and film numbers.
- Perform machine operations such as manual and CNC milling/lathe, bead blasting, EDM, laser cutting and honing.
- Assist project team members in assembling information for project outputs for HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical plans.
- Delegate and devise architectural projects from schematic design through construction documents using Revit and AutoCAD.
- Network with engineers and architects to produce accurate drawings that adhere to ISO, ANSI, and ASTM standards.
- Research GIS systems for property identification.
Computer aided drafter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Computer Aided Drafters are proficient in CAD Standards, Revit, and Aided Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Computer Aided Drafters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CAD Standards, 9%
Develop internal company CAD standards for electrical and mechanical design and control panel drawings.
- Revit, 7%
Translated REVIT (BIM) files into AutoCAD-ready files from contracted architect.
- Aided Design, 6%
Revised computer aided designs and plans to comply with modified specifications made during construction.
- CAD Drawings, 5%
Produced CAD drawings for various projects including commercial/ residential buildings and commercial signage.
- Shop Drawings, 4%
Operated blueprint machinery that included standard and technological architectural details, shop drawings and fabrication and assembly designs.
- Autocad Release, 4%
Used AutoCAD Release 12 and 13 to revise design and drawings for machine fixtures, tool layouts and steering gear components.
"cad standards," "revit," and "aided design" are among the most common skills that computer aided drafters use at work. You can find even more computer aided drafter responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a computer aided drafter to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what computer aided drafters do because "drafters must be able to turn plans and ideas into technical drawings of buildings, tools, and systems." Additionally, a computer aided drafter resume shows how computer aided drafters use creativity: "perform inventor engineering drawings using frame generator for fds and machine frames. "
Detail oriented. Many computer aided drafter duties rely on detail oriented. "drafters must take care that the plans they convert are technically accurate according to the outlined specifications.," so a computer aided drafter will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways computer aided drafter responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "collaborated with a team of engineers in the creation of autocad construction drawings and details mainly for infrastructure development. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of computer aided drafters is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday computer aided drafter duties, as "drafters work on technical drawings." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed quantitative analysis to locate drainage and hvac systems. "
Technical skills. A big part of what computer aided drafters do relies on "technical skills." You can see how essential it is to computer aided drafter responsibilities because "drafters in all specialties must be able to use computer software, such as cad, and work with database tools, such as building information modeling (bim)." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical computer aided drafter tasks: "conduct field surveys, inspections or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a computer aided drafter to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what computer aided drafters relies on this skill, since "drafters often work under deadline." How this skill relates to computer aided drafter duties can be seen in an example from a computer aided drafter resume snippet: "designed sites for fiber optic cable installation using autocad computer aided design software and met all project deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most computer aided drafters are:
- Leidos22 computer aided drafters jobs
- CCI Systems22 computer aided drafters jobs
- The Mountain11 computer aided drafters jobs
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Compare different computer aided drafters
Computer aided drafter vs. Design technician
A design technician's role revolves around conducting extensive research and analysis to determine a company's needs. The technician will develop system plans and collaborate with fellow technicians and engineers. There are also instances where a design technician has to craft presentations and hand in proposals, revising them when necessary. Furthermore, a design technician must produce progress reports, abide by managers' directions, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a computer aided drafter are more likely to require skills like "cad standards," "cad drawings," "autocad release," and "layout drawings." On the other hand, a job as a design technician requires skills like "civil 3d," "work ethic," "html css," and "java." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that design technicians earn slightly differ from computer aided drafters. In particular, design technicians are 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a computer aided drafter. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computer aided drafter vs. Architectural internship
The job of architectural interns is to assist an architect with all aspects of architectural work. Their duties and responsibilities may include maintaining project files, conducting research on construction sites such as zoning laws and regulations, and preparing presentations for clients. They are also expected to create 3D models and do drafting. The skills and qualifications required for this role include a degree in architecture or a related field, in-depth knowledge of 3D modeling software such as Autodesk and AutoCAD, and hand drafting skills.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that computer aided drafter responsibilities requires skills like "cad standards," "aided design," "cad drawings," and "autocad release." But an architectural internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "adobe photoshop," "adobe creative suite," "java," and "schematic design."
On average, architectural interns earn a higher salary than computer aided drafters. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, architectural interns earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $58,087. Whereas computer aided drafters have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $46,473.In general, architectural interns achieve higher levels of education than computer aided drafters. They're 10.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for computer aided drafters in the next 3-5 years?
Dan Rodenbaugh
Vice President of Education, Director, ADDA
Computer aided drafter vs. Autocad operator
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, computer aided drafters are more likely to have skills like "cad standards," "cad drawings," "autocad release," and "layout drawings." But a autocad operator is more likely to have skills like "plumbing," "stairs," "gps," and "electrical layouts."
Autocad operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to computer aided drafters. Specifically, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computer aided drafter vs. Cadd operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between computer aided drafters and cadd operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a computer aided drafter might have more use for skills like "cad standards," "cad drawings," "autocad release," and "layout drawings." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of cadd operators require skills like "cost estimates," "plumbing," "survey data," and "auto cadd. "
Cadd operators reach similar levels of education compared to computer aided drafters, in general. The difference is that they're 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of computer aided drafter
Updated January 8, 2025
