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Industrial Design Engineering Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Industrial Design Engineering Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people who want to design physical products and need both engineering and design skills. Use the tools below to see which industrial design engineering roles fit your background and goals.

This major blends product design aesthetics with engineering feasibility, distinct from pure engineering or pure art programs. Use the tools below to explore Industrial Design Engineering-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Junior Product Designer, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Senior Industrial Designer or Product Development Lead. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as None formally required; portfolio and CAD skill matter most, that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Industrial Design Engineering careers/jobs, (2) Find Industrial Design Engineering job listings, (3) Prepare for Industrial Design Engineering careers, and (4) Provide Industrial Design Engineering career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Industrial Design Engineering careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Industrial Design Engineering Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Industrial Design Engineering careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Industrial Design Engineering, so relevant Industrial Design Engineering jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Industrial Design Engineering Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Industrial Design Engineering Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Industrial Design Engineering careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 44 Industrial Design Engineering Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

16 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers 27.4% CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Occupation: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 27.4% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Dental Laboratory Technicians 12.2% CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Dental Laboratory Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 12.2% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Art Directors 11% Product Design Director
Occupation: Art Directors U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 11% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Director
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 8% Camera Prototyping Engineer
Occupation: Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 8% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Camera Prototyping Engineer
Commercial and Industrial Designers 5.6% Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Occupation: Commercial and Industrial Designers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 5.6% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians 4.4% CAD Specialist (Computer Aided Design Specialist)
Occupation: Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 4.4% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Specialist (Computer Aided Design Specialist)
Architectural and Engineering Managers 4.1% Prototype Engineer Manager
Occupation: Architectural and Engineering Managers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 4.1% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Engineer Manager
Surveying and Mapping Technicians 3.7% CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Surveying and Mapping Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 3.7% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 2.3% AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 2.3% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Carpenters 2.1% Prototype Carpenter
Occupation: Carpenters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 2.1% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Carpenter
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians 1.6% Prototyper
Occupation: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 1.6% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototyper
Fashion Designers 0.5% Product Designer
Occupation: Fashion Designers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 0.5% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Architectural and Civil Drafters -0.9% Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician (Architectural CAD Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter); Computer-Aided Design Operator (CAD Operator); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician); Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer)
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -0.9% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician (Architectural CAD Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter); Computer-Aided Design Operator (CAD Operator); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician); Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer)
Mechanical Drafters -4.7% AutoCAD Designer; AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Product Designer
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -4.7% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Designer; AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Product Designer
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic -4.9% Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Occupation: Model Makers, Metal and Plastic U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -4.9% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Sewing Machine Operators -14% Prototype Sewer
Occupation: Sewing Machine Operators U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -14% Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Sewer

19 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs

Architectural and Engineering Managers $ 165,370 Prototype Engineer Manager
Occupation: Architectural and Engineering Managers National Median Salary: $ 165,370 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Engineer Manager
Microsystems Engineers $ 111,970 Product Design Engineer
Occupation: Microsystems Engineers National Median Salary: $ 111,970 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Engineer
Art Directors $ 106,500 Product Design Director
Occupation: Art Directors National Median Salary: $ 106,500 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Director
Web and Digital Interface Designers $ 98,540 Product Designer
Occupation: Web and Digital Interface Designers National Median Salary: $ 98,540 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Video Game Designers $ 98,540 Prototype Developer
Occupation: Video Game Designers National Median Salary: $ 98,540 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Developer
Fashion Designers $ 79,290 Product Designer
Occupation: Fashion Designers National Median Salary: $ 79,290 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Commercial and Industrial Designers $ 76,250 Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Occupation: Commercial and Industrial Designers National Median Salary: $ 76,250 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $ 72,800 Prototyper
Occupation: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians National Median Salary: $ 72,800 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototyper
Electrical and Electronics Drafters $ 69,260 AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters National Median Salary: $ 69,260 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic $ 64,190 Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Occupation: Model Makers, Metal and Plastic National Median Salary: $ 64,190 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Mechanical Drafters $ 64,060 AutoCAD Designer; AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Product Designer
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters National Median Salary: $ 64,060 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Designer; AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Product Designer
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers $ 63,440 CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Occupation: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers National Median Salary: $ 63,440 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians $ 62,610 CAD Specialist (Computer Aided Design Specialist)
Occupation: Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians National Median Salary: $ 62,610 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Specialist (Computer Aided Design Specialist)
Architectural and Civil Drafters $ 61,820 Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician (Architectural CAD Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter); Computer-Aided Design Operator (CAD Operator); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician); Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer)
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters National Median Salary: $ 61,820 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician (Architectural CAD Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter); Computer-Aided Design Operator (CAD Operator); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician); Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer)
Carpenters $ 56,350 Prototype Carpenter
Occupation: Carpenters National Median Salary: $ 56,350 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Carpenter
Surveying and Mapping Technicians $ 48,940 CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Surveying and Mapping Technicians National Median Salary: $ 48,940 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Dental Laboratory Technicians $ 47,690 CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Dental Laboratory Technicians National Median Salary: $ 47,690 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers $ 46,850 Camera Prototyping Engineer
Occupation: Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers National Median Salary: $ 46,850 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Camera Prototyping Engineer
Sewing Machine Operators $ 34,440 Prototype Sewer
Occupation: Sewing Machine Operators National Median Salary: $ 34,440 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Sewer

20 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs

Architectural and Engineering Managers 5 Prototype Engineer Manager
Occupation: Architectural and Engineering Managers Education/Preparation: 5 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Engineer Manager
Microsystems Engineers 5 Product Design Engineer
Occupation: Microsystems Engineers Education/Preparation: 5 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Engineer
Web and Digital Interface Designers 4 Product Designer
Occupation: Web and Digital Interface Designers Education/Preparation: 4 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Video Game Designers 4 Prototype Developer
Occupation: Video Game Designers Education/Preparation: 4 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Developer
Commercial and Industrial Designers 4 Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Occupation: Commercial and Industrial Designers Education/Preparation: 4 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Industrial Designer; Product Design Engineer; Product Designer; UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer); UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Art Directors 4 Product Design Director
Occupation: Art Directors Education/Preparation: 4 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Design Director
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians 3 Prototyper
Occupation: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototyper
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 3 AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Fashion Designers 3 Product Designer
Occupation: Fashion Designers Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Product Designer
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians 3 CAD Specialist (Computer Aided Design Specialist)
Occupation: Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Specialist (Computer Aided Design Specialist)
Mechanical Drafters 3 AutoCAD Designer; AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Product Designer
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: AutoCAD Designer; AutoCAD Drafter; AutoCAD Technician; CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator); CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator); CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Product Designer
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 3 Camera Prototyping Engineer
Occupation: Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Camera Prototyping Engineer
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic 3 Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Occupation: Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Fabricator; Prototype Model Maker; Prototype Special Build; Prototyper; Welding Prototype Operator
Surveying and Mapping Technicians 3 CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Surveying and Mapping Technicians Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician); Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Architectural and Civil Drafters 3 Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician (Architectural CAD Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter); Computer-Aided Design Operator (CAD Operator); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician); Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer)
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician (Architectural CAD Technician); AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer); AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter); CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer); CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter); CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman); CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter); Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer); Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer); Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter); Computer-Aided Design Operator (CAD Operator); Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician); Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer)
Carpenters 2 Prototype Carpenter
Occupation: Carpenters Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Carpenter
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers 2 CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Occupation: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
Dental Laboratory Technicians 2 CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Occupation: Dental Laboratory Technicians Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers 2 Prototype Deicer Assembler
Occupation: Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Deicer Assembler
Sewing Machine Operators 2 Prototype Sewer
Occupation: Sewing Machine Operators Education/Preparation: 2 Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs: Prototype Sewer

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 44 specific Industrial Design Engineering job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter)
Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician (Architectural CAD Technician)
AutoCAD Designer
AutoCAD Designer (Auto Computer-Aided Design Designer)
AutoCAD Drafter
AutoCAD Drafter (Auto Computer-Aided Design Drafter)
AutoCAD Technician
CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer)
CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer)
CAD Drafter (Computer Aided Design Drafter)
CAD Drafter (Computer-Aided Design Drafter)
CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)
CAD Draughter (Computer Aided Design Draughter)
CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator)
CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator)
CAD Programmer (Computer-Aided Design Programmer)
CAD Specialist (Computer Aided Design Specialist)
CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician)
CAD Technician (Computer Aided Design Technician)
Camera Prototyping Engineer
Civil CAD Designer (Civil Computer-Aided Design Designer)
Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer)
Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter)
Computer-Aided Design Operator (CAD Operator)
Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech)
Computer-Aided Design Technician (CAD Technician)
Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer)
Industrial Designer
Product Design Director
Product Design Engineer
Product Designer
Prototype Carpenter
Prototype Deicer Assembler
Prototype Developer
Prototype Engineer Manager
Prototype Fabricator
Prototype Model Maker
Prototype Sewer
Prototype Special Build
Prototyper
Survey CAD Technician (Survey Computer-Aided Design Technician)
UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer)
UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)
Welding Prototype Operator


Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Art Directors.


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Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Art Directors

Description: Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
98,500
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
109,400
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
10,800 (11%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
11,500
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Art Directors":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Present final layouts to clients for approval.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Negotiate with printers and estimators to determine what services will be performed.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Prepare detailed storyboards showing sequence and timing of story development for television production.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Conceptualize and help design interfaces for multimedia games, products, and devices.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
Confer with clients to determine needs.
Coordinate artistic activities.
Coordinate design activities.
Design layout of art or product exhibits, displays, or promotional materials.
Design layouts for print publications.
Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Manage operations of artistic or entertainment departments or organizations.
Negotiate for services.
Prepare production storyboards.
Present work to clients for approval.
Research new technologies.
Review art or design materials.
Select staff, team members, or performers.
Train others on work processes.
Write informational material.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Importance: 72 (%) Description: Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Communicate with others about specifications or project details.
Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications.
Activity: Coordinate artistic or entertainment activities.
Activity: Create artistic designs or performances.
Activity: Create visual designs or displays.
Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures.
Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures.
Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities.
Activity: Explain technical details of products or services.
Activity: Negotiate contracts or agreements.
Activity: Perform recruiting or hiring activities.
Activity: Prepare informational or instructional materials.
Activity: Research technology designs or applications.
Activity: Study details of artistic productions.
Activity: Train others on operational or work procedures.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Desktop publishing software:
Adobe InDesign
Graphical user interface development software:
Figma
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Video creation and editing software:
Adobe After Effects
Emerging Tech Skills
Document management software:
Adobe Acrobat
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Network conferencing software:
Atlassian Confluence
Object or component oriented development software:
jQuery
Operating system software:
Apple macOS
Project management software:
Atlassian JIRA
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Web page creation and editing software:
Facebook
WordPress
Web platform development software (scroll table below):
AJAX
Cascading style sheets CSS
Hypertext markup language HTML
JavaScript
PHP
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Analytical or scientific software:
Data visualization software
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk 3ds Max Design
Computer assisted design software
Desktop publishing software:
Quark enterprise publishing software
QuarkXPress
Development environment software:
Adobe ActionScript
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe ImageReady
Autodesk Maya
Internet browser software:
Web broswer software
Mobile operator specific application software:
Mag+
Mobile application software
Tablet application software
Presentation software:
Apple iWork Keynote
Apple Keynote
Google Slides
Program testing software:
User interface design software
Video creation and editing software (scroll table below):
Adobe Director
Adobe Premiere Pro
Apple Final Cut Pro
Maxon Cinema 4D
WeVideo
YouTube
Web page creation and editing software:
Adobe Dreamweaver
Social media software
Web platform development software (scroll table below):
Apache Flex
Drupal
Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML
WoodWing
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 68.0 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 9.7 (%) Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 7.7 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 5.7 (%) Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 5.4 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Frequency of Attainment: 3.5 (%) Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 55.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 14.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 5.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 3.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 0.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) External Link
Art Libraries Society of North America (ALS/NA) External Link
International Art Materials Association (NAMTA) External Link
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) External Link
Related Careers to Consider


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Art Directors". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Art Directors". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Art Directors". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Art Directors


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Art Directors" occupation.






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