CAD Engineer - 3D Design (Manufacturing / Engineering Environment)
Salary: up to £40,000 + benefits
Are you a CAD Engineer with 3D modelling skills looking for a role where your designs go straight into manufacture and installation?
This is an opportunity to join a growing engineering business operating in the water and wastewater sector, where CAD is central to delivery, not an afterthought. You'll be joining a small, collaborative CAD team and working closely with engineers to produce practical, buildable designs across a range of fabricated engineering solutions.
The business designs and manufactures engineered solutions for water and wastewater infrastructure, supplying clients across the UK.
The culture is hands-on, technical, and collaborative. Designs move quickly from concept to manufacture, giving engineers clear visibility of how their work is used in the real world.
The role
Due to sustained workload and growth, the CAD team is expanding from two to three. This role sits within the in-house design function and reports directly to the CAD Supervisor.
The successful CAD Engineer will work on a varied portfolio of engineering designs, including pipework systems, access steelwork, and sheet metal components. While the business operates in the water sector, prior water industry experience is not essential manufacturing and engineering experience is highly transferable.

Key responsibilities
As a CAD Engineer, you will:
·Produce high-quality 3D models for engineered products and assemblies
·Design pipework systems, access steelwork (platforms, walkways, staircases), and sheet metal components
·Generate detailed fabrication and manufacturing drawings
·Develop and maintain accurate 3D CAD models using standard and supplier components
·Manage and update drawings registers and CAD documentation
·Work closely with engineers to ensure designs are practical, compliant, and buildable
·Attend design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement within the CAD function
·Deliver work to agreed deadlines and internal KPIs
This role offers genuine technical variety and the opportunity to see designs through from concept to manufacture and installation.

Essential experience & skills (non-negotiable)
To be effective in this role from day one, you must have:
·Experience with 3D CAD software used in engineering/manufacturing environments
oIdeal: Autodesk Inventor
oAlso acceptable: SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Creo, or Fusion 360
·Post-graduate experience working within a UK engineering or manufacturing company
·Strong attention to detail and a practical, engineering-focused mindset
·Good written and verbal communication skills
·Confident use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Desirable (but not essential)
·Sheet metal design experience
·Autodesk Vault or similar PDM systems
·iLogic or parametric design tools
·Experience producing designs for fabrication and manufacture
·Previous exposure to water, wastewater, or industrial engineering projects

Working environment & flexibility
·Full-time, permanent position
·Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00 (40 hours per week)
·Primarily office-based to support collaboration and design reviews
·Working from home is generally not permitted on Mondays or Fridays, though some flexibility may be considered on a case-by-case basis

About the business
This is a well-established environmental engineering organisation, part of a wider engineering group that continues to invest in people, systems, and innovation. The culture is hands-on, technical, and collaborative. Designs move quickly from concept to manufacture, giving engineers clear visibility of how their work is used in the real world.
Why this role?
·Join a small, growing CAD team with real influence
·Work on practical engineering designs, not theoretical concepts
·Clear technical development as workload and team continue to expand
·Stable, permanent role within a growing engineering business