CAD
Meet Ken, a CAD drafter . . .
I initially applied to work at Arup because of its reputation for design in the engineering field. After taking a tour of the facilities and being introduced to the CAD standards and infrastructure, I knew it was a great opportunity to grow professionally and learn from knowledgeable people.
During my time with the firm I have worked on the Princeton Chemical Building, the Whitney Museum, Columbia University and the Miami Museum of Art. The great part of working in the CAD department is we're always looking to incorporate new technology into what we do so we can service our clients better. I look forward to expanding my knowledge of AutoCAD software and moving forward with our team to stay competitive in this field.
The thing I enjoy most about Arup is the people that work here. Everyone is always willing to hear a different approach to solving a problem and teach someone different ways to do things. Arup also does a great job of uniting all employees on a social level by organizing different events. It feels like I’m working in a small office because everyone interacts on such a personal level, even though we have more than 200 staff.
I would recommend Arup to any qualified individual because it is a great place for an ambitious, eager person to excel without falling through the cracks. Arup goes out of its way to acknowledge hard workers and progressive thinkers.
What do CAD drafters/modelers at Arup do?
At Arup, CAD drafters/modelers work closely with the engineers in order to document the design intent of each discipline. This is done through the use of specialized software packages that allow either a 2D or 3D representation of the design intent. The drawings and electronic files that are the result of this process are used by contractors in order to bid and then build the job. CAD drafters/ modelers are an integral part of the technical delivery team, and essential partners in our goal to deliver coordinated multidisciplinary projects.
What would my first few years be like?
The following description lists a fairly typical approach to foundational training in your discipline; however business needs, project task availability, and your training interests will also influence the scope and order of training.
For your first six months, you will learn the following skills:
- Introductory training to all the visual styles, discipline requirements and software
- Previous knowledge of 2D platforms, such as AutoCAD or MicroStation will be consolidated upon, with skills assessments and on-the-job training
- Detailed training and use of add-on software through on-the-job use
- Multidisciplinary coordination, how complete drawing packages are compiled (on-the-job)
- Learning about the CAD Skills Network (introduction course, on-the-job)
The typical tasks you will perform will be as follows:
- Work closely with engineers and drafters to create drawing sets - documentation and archiving
- Work on drawings across disciplines to gain an appreciation of each role
During your second six months, you will learn drawing production skills, specializing on one discipline, as well as working as the CAD manager (under supervision) for one or more projects. You will also learn how to overlay and use architectural digital information to create drawings as they relate to your discipline. In addition, you may be asked to put together simple drawings or sketches for reports or presentations, using Rhino, SketchUp or Illustrator.
At this stage you will be expected to generate portions of drawings on your own, cutting sections or applying simple engineering rules. Depending upon your ability and willingness, you may also start to look at Arup’s use of 3D/BIM software.
During the first half of your second year, you will be formally trained to use Arup’s 3D/BIM software, and much focus will now be placed on multidisciplinary design through its use. You will participate in multidisciplinary projects and will put together complete sets of drawings.
For the latter half of your second year, you will start to understand the construction industry and Arup’s place in it. You will progress to advanced BIM software use, with introductory courses, self-study, and on-the-job-training. You will learn about how buildings are put together and the complex way in which all the disciplines, geometrically and design-wise, interact. You will start to use tools such as NavisWorks to aid and advise the engineers during the design process. You will continue the development of your detailed engineering documentation and coordination skills as learned in your first 18 months, and you will begin to teach skills to new graduates.
Want to join us?
The ideal candidate for an entry-level position would have the following characteristics:
Technical abilities
| Necessary | Preferred |
| Associate degree in CAD technology, CAD drafting, solids modeling or a related field | Bachelors degree in related field |
| Reference from past paid work experience | Internship experience with a design firm |
| AutoCAD skills | AutoCAD Microstation, Revit, 3D modeling (Rhino, SketchUp, etc.) |
Intangible and interpersonal characteristics
| Necessary | Preferred |
| Professional demeanor | Evidence of past internship or extracurricular activity in the field |
| Detail and accuracy-oriented | Proven ability, interest and confidence to create complex geometry |
| Ability to communicate thoughts and technical ideas in an accessible way | Past history of technical drawing or model building |
| Attitude of taking initiative, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn | Evidence of personal investment in academic or extracurricular field |
Click here to apply for a Graduate CAD drafter/modeler position with Arup.
