There are a variety of engineering and design jobs that useCAD (computer-aided design software).
We often get asked what CAD software companies use. As a busystaffing agency for engineers, and designers we know it depends on the particular industry a company is in.
Different CAD systems are tailored towards certain industries, with crossover and competition between the various CAD software companies.
Interested in learning about the best CAD software for engineers, designers, and drafters? Keep reading.
- Using the best CAD software will make it a lot easier to manage digital modeling projects. Our picks below are suitable for engineers, architects, game designers and 3D artists, looking for software that will help them create professional building designs and other models.
- AutoCAD ® is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, and construction professionals rely on to create precise 2D and 3D drawings. Draft, annotate, and design 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects. Automate tasks such as comparing drawings, counting, adding blocks, creating schedules, and more.
- What is Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software? Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the use of an application to help create or optimize a design. Therefore, CAD software allows engineers, architects, designers, and others to create precision drawings or technical illustrations in 2D or 3D.
We list CAD software packages you should consider learning, some of their features, potential career paths, and the industries that create jobs for them.
Popular types of CAD software companies use include SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, CATIA, Creo, and Siemens NX.
A lot of CAD (computer aided design) software are available on the market. These 3D programs could really help you in your daily work for various purposes: from visualization, simulation to 3D printing, the benefits of CAD programs are numerous.
1. SolidWorks
As a popular mechanical design software with a large community of users, employers are frequently seeking job seekers with SolidWorks experience. This 3D modeling CAD software is used heavily in the mechanical engineering and design industries. It is the industry standard for product development.
Some features including:
- Product design simulation
- 3D solid modeling
- Product data management
- Cost estimation, manufacturability checks
- Created with ease of use in mind
- Used by mechanical and electrical engineering departments
Jobs that use SolidWorks CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Manufacturing engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Product development engineer
What Industries use SolidWorks?
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas
2. Inventor
A 3D modeling software and the main competitor of SolidWorks, used in mechanical design, engineering, and product development.
Some features including:
- Parametric modeling for 3D objects
- Product data management
- 3D Solid Modeling
- Simulation
- Visualization
Jobs that use Inventor CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Manufacturing engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Product development engineer
What industries use Inventor?
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas equipment
3. Revit
Software for BIM (building information modeling) used in construction projects with a suite of tools to create 3D models of buildings. This software supports all disciplines of building construction projects including, architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical aspects. If you’re asking what cad software should I learn for building design or construction this is it. The demand for employees with Revit skills grows continually year after year.
Some features including:
- 3D modeling and 3D visualization
- MEP modeling and detailing
- Structural steel modeling
- Construction documentation of the project
- Models components for building and fabrication
Jobs that use Revit CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
- Architects, architectural designers, and drafters
- Interior Architect, Interior designer
- Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
- BIM Coordinator
What industries use Revit?
- Architectural
- Construction
- Engineering
4. AutoCAD
One of the oldest and most used CAD software for 2D / 3D drafting & design. It has the ability to create blueprints, equipment layouts, section planes, model documentation, and more. Learning AutoCAD and additional 3D CAD software is a recipe for success.
Some features including:
- 2D drawing, drafting, and annotation
- Extended workflows
- Xrefs and block palettes
- Dynamic blocks
- 3D Mesh, solid and surface modeling
Jobs that use AutoCAD CAD software
- Architects, Architectural designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, design and drafter
- Electronics engineer, design and drafter
- Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
- Interior designer
- Industrial engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Mechanical engineer, design and drafter
- Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
What industries use AutoCAD?
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas
- Civil, Structural, MEP
5. Civil 3D
An Autodesk product originally created as an add-on for AutoCAD, Civil 3D is a standalone software used by civil engineers and other professionals to plan, design, and manage civil engineering projects including transportation, land development, and wastewater. Job seekers with Civil 3D design experience are one of the most sought after skills for employers in the civil engineering field.
Some features including:
- Corridor modeling
- Plan production tools ( plan, profiles & sections)
- Terrain Grading
- Support for BIM (Building Information Modeling)
- Surface creation tools
Jobs that use Civil 3D CAD software
- Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
- GIS technicians
- Survey technicians
What Industries use Civil 3D?
- Civil & Transportation engineering
- Utilities
- Oil & Gas
6. MicroStation
A 3D / 2D CAD software used by architects and engineers to visualize, model, draft, and document projects. MicroStation frequently is used in the Civil Transportation industry for city and state DOT projects.
Some features including:
- 3D Parametric Modeling
- Ability to visualize and analyze data on models
- BIM workflows
- Produce animations and renderings
Jobs that use MicroStation CAD software
Cad Software For 3d Printing
- Architects, architectural designer, and drafter
- Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
- Interior designer
- Transportation engineer
What Industries Use MicroStation?:
- Architectural & Planning
- Civil water & wastewater engineering
- Construction
- Process manufacturing
- Oil & Gas
- Electrical & gas utilities
7. CATIA
CAD software used by OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) for surface modeling, design, and visualization. Want an engineering or design job in the Automotive or Aerospace industries? Put this one on your list.
Some features including:
- 3D Modeling
- Digital prototyping
- Highly detailed surface modeling and shape manipulation
- Virtually create and analyze products during development
Jobs that use CATIA CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, design and drafter
- Industrial designer
- Product development engineer
What Industries use CATIA?:
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Automotive
- Shipbuilding
8. Creo
Formerly known as Pro/Engineer, Creo is a 3D CAD software for product development, generative design, and top-down design. It is used by some of the biggest companies in the world including Coca-Cola.
Some features including:
- 3D Modeling & Design
- Parametric surfacing
- Generative design
- Plastics part design
Jobs that use Creo CAD Software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Product development engineer
- Industrial, Sheet metal, Tool & die designers
What Industries use Creo?
- Automotive
- Food & Beverage
- Manufacturing
- Industrial
- Product development
- Plastics
9. SIEMENS NX
Once known as Unigraphics, Siemens NX is a 3D CAD software used for design, simulation, and manufacturing. This is another popular CAD software in the aerospace and automotive industries.
Some features including:
- Advanced geometry creation tools
- 3D Modeling and plotting tools
- Convergent Modeling
- Advanced geometry creation tools
- Generative Engineering
- Parametric design
Cad Software Training
Jobs that use Siemens NX CAD software
- Mechanical engineer and designer
- Manufacturing engineer and designer
- Product development engineer and designer
What Industries use Siemens NX?
Cad Software For 3d Printing
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Medical Manufacturing
- Consumer products
Cad Software Programs
This list of nine popular CAD systems is by no means exhaustive, however, it gives you a general idea of some of the more commonly used CAD systems employers and CAD staffing agencies are seeking.
If you are seeking CAD design job opportunities nation wide check out our list of the best job search websites.
Interested in jobs that use CAD or looking for CAD talent ? Need atop engineering staffing agency? Reach out toApollo Technical