Do you sometimes find it difficult to see the difference between a CAD Designer and a Professional Engineer? Each plays a vital role on the design team. They both use similar skills sets to design the product, but their responsibilities are quite different. A very experienced CAD Operator or Designer may indeed ask the question what is the difference between themselves and an Engineer.
In many situations the Designer is far more experienced than the engineer. Why is the engineer necessary, if the designer draws the plans, and the engineer only checks off? Ever had a designer ask why he needs a license to practice as an engineer. He knows everything and more than any engineer. But once they know the difference many would say that they do not want the responsibility of the engineer.
One of the important management skills in the business of engineering is to have a sufficient number of engineers and CAD professionals on a project or projects meeting a prescribed ratio to maintain a competitive advantage over the competition. Large companies can reach this ratio much easier than smaller business. Larger firms can shuffle individuals from various departments to form new design teams or to strengthen existing design teams. Smaller firms general rely on the utilization of multiple skill sets from their staff, which assists the company in taking on several different types of jobs.
The ratio of Professional Engineer and CAD Professionals is directly related to the salary and benefits of each job position and the type of project. The average salary for a CAD Operator is roughly $44K, a CAD Designer is about $60K, and a Project Engineer is about $68K. A design team of 10 individuals normally consist of one Project Engineer, 2-3 CAD Designers, and 6 to 7 CAD Operators with various levels of skills and experiences.
Professional Engineer
The role of the engineer is well defined for designs that require a state registered Professional Engineer to stamp and sign a set of plans. In this case engineer is in a responsible role and supervises the design process. They are responsible to check all calculations and designs whether done by hand or by software, and not only the work they have done but all of the work that others have done on the design. With a few exceptions no one can use the title of engineer without having graduated from and engineering college. In cases were you are stamping and signing design plans only an individual registered as a Professional Engineer in that state can us the title.
The Professional Engineer performs two major roles on the Design Team; manager and engineer. There are situations were the team manager is a non-engineer, but this requires a highly skilled manager that is able to manage without making design decisions. A Professional Engineer is required by State law to supervise all designs that he stamps and signs. This why in most cases the Project Manager, leader of the design team, also holds a Professional Engineering license.
Large design teams may actually have both a Project Manager and a Project Engineer. The Project Manager is responsible for all actions and work products of the team, and is responsible for all managerial actions. The Project Engineer is responsible for all designs, CAD work, and calculations that they may have done or the team has done. A good Project Engineer will duple check all work product and CAD Work of the team. The team may several Project Engineers each responsible for their own projects.
In smaller teams the Professional Engineer is called upon to perform two roles; the Project Engineer and the Project Manager. The teams are usually 5 or less individuals. In these situations, the engineer is not only responsible for the design and all work product produced by the team, but also he has a supervisory role over the entire team.
Most engineers have excellent technical skills, but not necessarily the same level of expertise in management. It is responsibility of the engineer to develop these management skills through continuing education. This continuing education can be obtained through Community Colleges, Universities, Professional Training Programs, Professional Organizations, and online training courses. In most states these continuing education courses qualify for continuing education units (CEU) or Professional Development Hours (PDH).
CAD Professional
CAD professional is often referred to as a CAD drafter or designer. A CAD Professional does not assume the responsibility of a state registered Professional Engineer. Although subject to company policies and industry reputation, CAD Professionals do not carry a state license that is subject to a State Board review or disciplinary action, or are they liable in a lawsuit. Yet any experienced CAD Designer is indispensable in engineering design firm. Their knowledge of the CAD software speeds up the design process, allowing the firm to perform more work in less time. Their year of design experience in various aspects of engineering enhances the design firm expertise in dealing with unusual designs.
It takes many years to become a good CAD Designer for and engineering firm. The transition from CAD operator to Designer can be too difficult for many. The designer knows the CAD software inside and out and has a big tool box of solutions for almost any design problem. Their years of experience make them invaluable in any engineering form. Usually the designer takes on several roles training and over seeing the CAD Operators, and handling the brunt of the major computer aided design options. Basic CAD work and plan revisions are generally handled by the CAD Operators.
Typically a Designer does have a technical degree from a Community College, and may even be certified by an official organization as an expert CAD Designer. CAD Designers have opportunities in a vast array of professions not only engineering. Some of the other fields that require their services are architecture, product design, graphic design, 3D animation, and game design.
So, is there a real difference between Designers and Professional Engineers? Well of course there is. Both are an important of the design team, yet their roles and responsibilities are quite different.