Career Overview
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Also Known As
- Design Drafter
- Drafter
- Mechanical Designer
- Mechanical Drafter
Alternate Job Titles
- Aeronautical Drafter
- Architectural Drafter
- Auto Design Detailer
- Auto Design Drafter (Automotive Design Drafter)
- Auto Design Layout Drafter (Automotive Design Layout Drafter)
- AutoCAD Designer
- AutoCAD Drafter
- AutoCAD Technician
- Body Design Checker
- Body Designer
- CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer)
- CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer)
- CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter)
- CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter)
- CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
- Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Create bills of materials.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Visualization
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Selective Attention
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Oral Expression
- Fluency of Ideas
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe After Effects
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Autodesk Revit
- Bentley MicroStation
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Extensible markup language XML
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
Tools & Equipment
- Architects' scales
- Backlit digitizers
- Compasses
- Computer aided design CAD multi-unit display graphics cards
- Cutting plotters
- Desktop computers
- Electronic scales
- Estimating keypads
- Flexible curves
- French curves
- Graphics tablets
- Handheld calculators
- Large-format digitizers
- Notebook computers
- Plotters
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $46,500 |
| Median | $68,510 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $107,600 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 39,900
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $73,720
Architectural and Civil Drafters
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $64,280
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $68,730
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $62,700
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $79,450
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.