CAD Design Expert - Remote Contract Role
Listing checked September 22, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery
Overview
AfterQuery seeks a CAD Design Expert for a remote contract that runs about 20 hours each week. The Arts & Design team needs help with varied modeling and drafting projects, from clean SolidWorks or AutoCAD assemblies to detailed technical drawings. Work happens on a project-by-project basis, so you can set your own schedule while supporting an early-stage Y Combinator-backed company. Pay ranges from $75 to $100 per hour.
What You'll Do7
- 1Build CAD models and design assets for client projects as they arrive.
- 2Prepare technical drawings that meet professional drafting standards.
- 3Inspect existing CAD files and flag gaps, errors or incomplete details.
- 4Keep records of modeling decisions so another engineer can recreate the work.
- 5Adapt to different CAD platforms when a project calls for it.
- 6Manage your own 20-hour weekly schedule across concurrent assignments.
- 7Document each deliverable with enough detail for review and handoff.
Requirements7
- 1Professional experience in CAD design, drafting, or mechanical/product design.
- 2Strong skill in at least one major CAD platform, including SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, CATIA, or NX.
- 3Portfolio of clean, well-structured models and drawings built to professional standards.
- 4Sharp attention to detail and the ability to work alone on technical tasks.
- 5Experience with multiple CAD platforms.
- 6Knowledge of common manufacturing processes.
- 7Degree in engineering, design technology, or equal professional experience.
Who Should Apply
The right person has years of CAD design, drafting or mechanical/product design work and can show clean models and drawings from a major platform such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, CATIA or NX. You enjoy independent technical work, manage your own 20-hour week, and communicate through clear documentation. This role fits someone who wants project variety across industries without a full-time schedule. Candidates who only know one narrow CAD task, such as simple 2D drafting, often score low because the work demands full professional modeling and review. Lack of a portfolio or examples of production-ready drawings also leads to rejection. If you need close supervision or fixed daily hours, this contract will not suit you.
Salary Insight
The listing pays $75 to $100 per hour for contract work. That range sits at the high end for project-based CAD design, which makes sense for a company that expects professional models and drawings from day one. The upper half usually matches specialists with multiple platforms and manufacturing process knowledge.
Pay and demand for Industrial & Physical Product Design roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$75/hour
This role
$75–$100/hr
Most Industrial & Physical Product Design roles pay $60–$95 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 81 similar roles that publish pay · 10 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
- 88
- Listed in last 30 days
- 59
- Remote
- 94%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (31) · Mercor (18) · AfterQuery (13)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- mechanical engineering25%
- technical writing24%
- solidworks19%
- cad15%
Figures from Industrial & Physical Product Design roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
Compare your resume against these rolesLocation
Compensation
$75–100/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Show a portfolio with three to five before-and-after examples: a clean CAD model, a finished drawing set, and a review you performed on an existing design. Name the exact platform for each example, such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or NX, and describe the manufacturing process behind one part. That evidence helps the team see your professional standards and platform range in one pass.
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