CAD Jobs

dirtychinchilla · 1 Oct 2012 at 18:04

Hey all,

I graduated in the summer having done Mechanical Engineering at The University of Leeds. I found that I was really very comfortable doing CAD work and really love it. I'd like to pursue CAD as a career, particularly in product design (although at this point any relevant work would be great). I'm currently working with an architect but, frankly, the work is slow, not very interesting, and not quite what I want to do.

I've been searching around for jobs and have applied for a few, but I'm not really finding much. I know there are a few designs, CAD operators etc on here and was wondering whether any of you might have any guidance for me with regards to finding a job. I've been to most of the standard job sites, indeed, monster etc but haven't found much, so any help would really be appreciated. I'd love to find some more relevant job sites, or be put in contact with anyone who could help me.

I'm quite often clutching at straws with this applying (and doing) jobs which are only partially relevant, so please help me!!

Thanks in advance, you beautiful people,
dirtychinchilla

Lamo · 1 Oct 2012 at 18:16

google search returns http://www.cadjobs.co.uk have you tried there?

physichull · 1 Oct 2012 at 18:22

Career maybe as a draughtsman at an engineering company perhaps?

dirtychinchilla · 1 Oct 2012 at 18:29

Lamo, thanks, I have tried there but will continue checking.

physichull, I hadn't thought of applying for that sort of job, but any avenue would be superb. Thanks for the suggestion.

physichull · 1 Oct 2012 at 18:31

dirtychinchilla said:
physichull, I hadn't thought of applying for that sort of job, but any avenue would be superb. Thanks for the suggestion.

You may not get the full on CAD experience (3d modelling) but 2d drawings of plant layouts you may get to do lots. Try Jacobs, Sellafield Ltd, ARUP maybe.

UncleRuckus · 1 Oct 2012 at 18:31

Looked into the oil industry?

My friends old man makes a killing doing CAD.

bLuEuK · 1 Oct 2012 at 18:37

Jaguar Land Rover graduate scheme, in particular Product Development (PD), if I recall correctly its just opened up again for the next intake.

Doesn't help you in the short term but you could continue to work with the architect until you find out one way or another?

dirtychinchilla · 3 Oct 2012 at 19:14

physichull said:
You may not get the full on CAD experience (3d modelling) but 2d drawings of plant layouts you may get to do lots. Try Jacobs, Sellafield Ltd, ARUP maybe.

Thank you, I'll look them up. I can't say I've ever heard of any of those companies.

UncleRuckus said:
Looked into the oil industry?

My friends old man makes a killing doing CAD.

I have indeed, I got a 2.2 in my degree though and I don't think they'll take a second look at me, quite honestly. I should apply though, thanks for the advice.

bLuEuK said:
Jaguar Land Rover graduate scheme, in particular Product Development (PD), if I recall correctly its just opened up again for the next intake.

Doesn't help you in the short term but you could continue to work with the architect until you find out one way or another?

I can't relocate so Jaguar Land Rover is out of the question, but thanks for the suggestion

I will work at the architect's for now, but it's really quite tedious. The boss (I'm the only employee) is very old, very slow, and gets distracted very easily, and I'm struggling to work due to that.

On a side note, does anyone know of any good sites for help learning/improving Solidworks, AutoCAD and Auto Desk skills?

OpenToSuggestions · 3 Oct 2012 at 19:16

JCB are all over the midlands and are frequently hiring Design Engineers.

dirtychinchilla · 3 Oct 2012 at 19:16

Thanks, I forgot to mention that I live outside London, though.

Windle · 3 Oct 2012 at 19:18

The AutoDesk forum is pretty good for getting help with AutoCAD.

As above, plenty of MechEng jobs in various sectors with consultants/contractors (including the company I work for).

For Example, in water try Jacobs, MWH, Atkins, Mouchel, GallifordTry, Mott MacDonald etc etc.