CAD Designer

OBJECTIVE

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the role of a CAD Designer in Advanced Manufacturing

• Learn the basics of Tinkercad, a beginner-friendly 3D design software

• Complete a hands-on challenge by creating a custom keychain that meets specific design parameters

• Recognize how CAD Designers help create real-world products used in daily life

FUTURE READY

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is at the core of nearly every modern manufacturing job on the Central Coast—from aerospace and robotics to microelectronics and precision machining. CAD Designers turn ideas into digital blueprints that tell machines exactly what to build, making them essential to the region’s fast-growing industries. These careers don’t require a four-year degree, yet they offer strong wages and long-term stability, providing powerful pathways for economic mobility right here in our community.

By introducing students to CAD design, we help them develop foundational skills in spatial reasoning, creativity, problem-solving, and technical communication—the same skills used by professional designers who create the products, tools, and technologies that shape our world. When students see that their digital drawings can become real objects, they begin to imagine themselves as creators and innovators with access to high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing and beyond.

LESSON DURATION

45 minutes