CAD Designer (design and create installations for brands for fairs)

Position : CAD Designer

Salary : To be discussed

Working Hours & Conditions : Australian Business Hours (Fulltime)

ROLE OVERVIEW:

We are looking for a highly skilled, creative and technically capable CAD Designer to join our growing team.

This role requires someone who can confidently take a project from an initial client brief through creative development, 3D modelling and visualisation to detailed production drawings and shop drawings.

You must be fast, accurate and highly proficient in AutoCAD. Advanced AutoCAD capability is a prerequisite for this position.

The successful candidate will combine creative design thinking with a practical understanding of how exhibition environments, interiors, custom displays and freestanding structures are fabricated, assembled and installed.

You will work closely with our Designers, Producers, Managing Director, fabricators, joiners, signage suppliers and installation teams to create engaging, practical and buildable design solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interpret client briefs, brand guidelines, functional requirements and project objectives.
• Develop creative concepts for exhibition environments, branded spaces and custom displays.
• Produce accurate 2D CAD plans, elevations, sections and construction details.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models using AutoCAD and Autodesk 3ds Max.
• Produce high-quality, photorealistic renders using 3ds Max, V-Ray and Corona Renderer.
• Prepare detailed production drawings, construction drawings and shop drawings.
• Translate creative concepts into practical, buildable and cost-effective solutions.
• Design custom joinery, display units, counters, walling, signage elements and freestanding structures.
• Incorporate modular exhibition systems into custom-designed environments.
• Specify appropriate materials, substrates, finishes, fixtures and construction methods.
• Prepare artwork, presentation documents and supporting visual content.
• Revise designs and technical drawings quickly in response to client feedback, production requirements and onsite conditions.
• Liaise with Producers, Designers, fabricators, carpenters, joiners, signage suppliers and installers.
• Review drawings for accuracy, dimensions, materials, buildability and production requirements.
• Manage multiple design projects and meet urgent client and production deadlines.
• Maintain organised drawing files, models, artwork and project documentation.

Essential Technical Skills

• Advanced AutoCAD proficiency is an essential prerequisite.
• Must be fast, accurate and highly efficient in both 2D CAD drafting and 3D CAD modelling.
• Advanced 2D drafting skills using AutoCAD.
• Strong 3D modelling skills using AutoCAD and Autodesk 3ds Max.
• Strong 3D visualisation and rendering capabilities using 3ds Max.
• Demonstrated experience producing photorealistic renders using Chaos V-Ray and Corona Renderer.
• Advanced production-drawing and shop-drawing skills.
• Ability to prepare drawings that fabricators, carpenters, joiners and installers can accurately interpret and manufacture from.
• Strong understanding of dimensions, layers, blocks, layouts, scales, drawing standards and CAD file management.
• Ability to complete accurate design documentation within urgent project deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail while working quickly across multiple projects.

Adobe Creative Cloud Skills

Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud is essential, including:

• Adobe Photoshop for image editing, retouching, render enhancement and presentation graphics.
• Adobe Illustrator for artwork creation, print publishing and large-format printing.
• Adobe InDesign for creating professional design presentations, proposals and project documents.
• Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing and the creation of presentation content.

Microsoft Office Skills

Competency across Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project is required. You must be able to prepare clear presentations, schedules, design documentation and project information.

Practical Construction and Production Knowledge

• Strong practical understanding of how exhibition displays, interior environments and freestanding structures are fabricated, assembled and installed.
• Ability to translate creative designs into accurate, practical and buildable solutions.
• Understanding of material thicknesses, construction tolerances, fixing methods, structural connections and installation requirements.
• Ability to balance design intent with production practicality, quality, timing and budget.
• Experience working directly with fabricators, carpenters, cabinetmakers, joiners and installation teams is highly advantageous.
• Exposure to timber construction, custom joinery, metal fabrication, plastics, acrylic fabrication and signage production is highly regarded.

Materials and Substrates Knowledge

Strong knowledge of materials commonly used in exhibitions, interiors and custom display production is required, including MDF, plywood, solid and laminated timber, decorative laminates, aluminium, steel, acrylic and other plastics, fabrics, composite materials, and signage and graphic substrates.

You must understand how material appearance, strength, weight, durability, sheet sizes, thicknesses, finishes, fabrication methods and costs affect the final design.

Exhibition Stand System Experience

Experience designing with modular exhibition stand systems such as Octanorm, Maxima, Aluvision and beMatrix is highly regarded.

Knowledge of system components, profiles, standard panel sizes, connection methods and structural limitations will be advantageous. You should be able to integrate modular aluminium systems with custom joinery, graphics, signage, lighting and audiovisual elements while maintaining a premium custom-designed appearance.

Client Brief Interpretation and Problem-Solving

• Ability to confidently interpret client briefs, brand guidelines and project requirements.
• Strong creative and practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify potential design or production challenges and develop suitable solutions.
• Ability to consider visitor experience, functionality, construction, materials, budget and deadlines throughout the design process.
• Proactive in resolving design and production challenges without compromising the overall creative vision.
• Comfortable explaining the design reasoning behind a proposed solution and how it responds to the client's brief.

Requirements

Creative Mindset and Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who genuinely lives and breathes design.

• Highly creative, imaginative and passionate about design.
• Interested in interiors, architecture, spatial design and contemporary design trends.
• Curious about new materials, finishes, textures, lighting and construction methods.
• Knowledgeable about emerging interior trends, on-trend decor and designer lifestyle influences.
• Inspired by new ideas and capable of translating that inspiration into original, commercially effective environments.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• A self-motivated and proactive problem-solver.
• Able to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team.
• Calm and focused when working under pressure.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities and urgent deadlines.
• Committed to accuracy, presentation quality and design excellence.
• Equipped with a strong eye for colour, composition, proportion, materials and fine design details.

Why Join?

• Work on exciting exhibition environments, branded spaces and live experiences.
• Design for recognized Australian and international brands.
• Take projects from initial creative brief through to fabrication and onsite delivery.
• Collaborate with experienced Designers, Producers, fabricators and installation teams.
• Expand your knowledge of materials, production techniques and modular exhibition systems.
• Join a supportive, close-knit and growing creative business.
• Develop both your creative design and technical documentation capabilities.
• Build a long-term career within the exhibitions and branded-environments industry.