CAD Designer/Operator - Land Development

The main responsibilities of a CAD Designer/Operator at Kimley-Horn include designing and producing detailed plans for various land development projects, implementing CAD drafting standards, developing technical drawings using CAD software, and performing quality checks on complex designs. Additionally, this role involves managing a drawing database and may include supervising and training other CAD staff.

To qualify for the CAD Designer/Operator position at Kimley-Horn, candidates should possess a high school diploma or equivalent, with an Associates degree preferred. A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is needed, along with advanced knowledge of Autodesk or Bentley products. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team are essential.

Kimley-Horn actively supports the professional development of a CAD Designer/Operator through various initiatives. These include tuition reimbursement, opportunities for extensive internal training programs, and encouragement for team members to stay current with industry best practices and technologies, ensuring they grow in their technical expertise and career.

The salary range for the CAD Designer/Operator position at Kimley-Horn in San Jose is between $30 and $40 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to competitive pay, employees can also expect a robust benefits package that contributes to overall financial wellness.

Kimley-Horn offers a comprehensive benefits package for its CAD Designer/Operator employees, including a generous retirement plan with a 2-to-1 company match, low-cost health coverage, flexible leave options, student loan matching, and various family-friendly benefits. These perks contribute to a supportive and enriching workplace environment.

When answering this question, emphasize your specific experiences with CAD software such as Autodesk or Bentley. Discuss projects where you used these tools to produce technical drawings or plans, focusing on the complexities you managed and any efficient solutions you implemented.

Pick a project that showcases your skills and clearly describe your role in overcoming challenges. Highlight your approach to problem-solving and how you collaborated with your team to deliver a successful outcome, emphasizing your design modifications based on engineering principles.

Explain your process for quality assurance, including any checklists or procedures you follow. Mention any tools or methods you use, like peer reviews or software features, to verify accuracy in your drawings before submission.

Discuss the importance of consistency and clarity in drawings while maintaining CAD standards. You might mention setting up and adhering to drafting conventions, templates, and documentation that facilitate clear communication within your team and with clients.

Share your approach to receiving feedback constructively. Emphasize your openness to suggestions, adaptability to changes, and the importance of communicating effectively with those giving you feedback, ensuring that all party’s ideas are considered.

Yes, make sure to express your capability for independent work as well as your ability to seek help and collaborate when necessary. Provide examples of previous experiences where you effectively managed your tasks autonomously.

Discuss any professional networks, webinars, or resources you utilize to keep informed about new developments in CAD design. Mention specific techniques like attending workshops, participating in forums, or following industry publications.

Talk about specific strategies you employ for project management, including prioritization of tasks, time management skills, and how you communicate with your team to ensure that project timelines are respected.

Teamwork in CAD design is crucial, so highlight your strategies for collaboration, such as regular communication, utilizing shared tools for project updates, and being open to both providing and receiving assistance from team members.

Explain your method for maintaining high-quality detail without compromising efficiency. You might mention techniques like using templates or established CAD standards that streamline the design process while ensuring each drawing meets required specifications.