CAD Design Expert (Instructor)

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a CAD Design Expert (Instructor) based in the United States.** This remote consulting opportunity is designed for experienced CAD professionals who want to apply their engineering expertise to advanced AI training and technical evaluation projects. You will develop and assess complex parametric models and multi-part assemblies while demonstrating best practices in design intent, tolerancing, and manufacturability. Your work will help establish high-quality examples of real-world engineering reasoning, enabling AI systems to better understand sophisticated CAD workflows. Beyond modelling, you will document technical decisions, evaluate alternative designs, and explain the trade-offs behind engineering solutions. The role also offers opportunities to contribute instructional content and share practical knowledge with distributed project teams. No previous AI experience is required, making this an opportunity to apply your existing CAD expertise in an emerging technical field. ### Accountabilities: You will contribute advanced CAD design, engineering evaluation, and instructional expertise to projects focused on complex assemblies and practical engineering decision-making. Your responsibilities will include: - **Parametric CAD design and modelling:** Develop robust, multi-part assemblies using advanced parametric CAD software. Translate product requirements into accurate 3D models and apply structured modelling methods that support clarity, maintainability, and downstream use. - **Assembly architecture and design intent:** Define assembly structures, component relationships, placement, and mating strategies. Ensure design intent remains clear throughout the modelling process and assess assembly constraints and tolerance stack-ups. - **Engineering analysis and design trade-offs:** Explain the reasoning behind key modelling and engineering decisions, including constraints, component interactions, tolerances, and alternative design approaches. - **Design for Manufacturability (DFM):** Apply manufacturability principles to CAD development, assess whether designs can be produced practically, identify geometric and assembly-related risks, and recommend improvements to enhance reliability and robustness. - **Technical review and evaluation:** Examine sample designs and alternative modelling strategies for engineering quality, feasibility, accuracy, and adherence to sound CAD practices. Provide detailed feedback and actionable recommendations. - **Technical documentation:** Document modelling workflows, design rationale, and engineering decisions. Annotate models and assemblies to communicate design intent and capture best practices that support consistent technical evaluation. - **Instruction and knowledge sharing:** Contribute educational insights based on professional CAD experience, explain complex concepts through clear written and verbal communication, and support mentoring-style materials on modelling and assembly reasoning. - **Remote collaboration:** Respond to technical questions asynchronously, communicate effectively with project teams, and contribute to distributed workflows across varying project requirements and CAD platforms. - **Confidentiality and professional integrity:** Complete all assignments without using confidential or proprietary designs, CAD files, drawings, technical documentation, or other third-party information belonging to employers, clients, institutions, or other organizations. **Requirements:** The ideal candidate is an experienced CAD specialist with strong technical judgment, a deep understanding of complex assemblies, and the ability to communicate engineering reasoning clearly. Professional CAD expertise is the primary qualification; previous AI training or model evaluation experience is not required. Candidates should demonstrate the following: - At least five years of professional CAD design experience. - Experience making or leading design decisions for complex, multi-part assemblies. - Advanced proficiency in parametric modelling and assembly design using a major CAD platform. - Experience with one or more relevant tools, such as SolidWorks, Creo, NX, CATIA, Inventor, Fusion, Onshape, or Solid Edge. - Familiarity with FreeCAD is an advantage. - Strong understanding of component architecture, assembly relationships, mating strategies, and design intent. - Experience with tolerance analysis, tolerance stack-ups, and assembly constraints. - Solid knowledge of Design for Manufacturability principles and practical production considerations. - Ability to explain design logic, technical constraints, and engineering trade-offs clearly. - Experience reviewing, evaluating, or critiquing CAD designs and identifying opportunities for improvement. - Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills. - Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality engineering work. - Ability to collaborate effectively in remote and asynchronous environments. - Experience teaching, mentoring, or supporting other CAD professionals is an advantage. - Relevant professional credentials are highly valued, including CSWE, CSWP, Autodesk Certified Instructor, Autodesk Expert Elite, ASME GDTP, or SOLIDWORKS Champion. - Relevant professional certifications or credentials may substitute for some formal experience requirements. - No prior AI training or model evaluation experience is necessary. **Benefits:** - **Compensation:** $40–$90 per hour, depending on the assignment and applicable project requirements. - **Fully remote engagement:** Work remotely in a distributed, asynchronous environment. - **Independent contractor arrangement:** Contribute professional expertise through project-based consulting work. - **Advanced technical projects:** Work on sophisticated multi-part assemblies, parametric modelling, tolerance analysis, manufacturability assessments, and technical evaluations. - **Varied assignments:** Opportunities to create, annotate, optimize, and critique 3D models and assemblies, with project requirements and CAD platforms varying according to project needs. - **Instructional opportunities:** Contribute educational and mentoring-style content that helps communicate engineering methods and best practices. - **Emerging technology exposure:** Apply established CAD and engineering expertise to projects supporting AI training and technical evaluation, without needing previous AI experience. - **Flexible collaboration:** Complete work primarily through remote and asynchronous communication.