Titles Used for CAD Management in the Design Practice

[Phaeax]

I am very curious about the industry standard for titles and the responsibilities tied to a CAD management role. I am going to list quite a few and I want you to build on them. Why are they all different? Does it matter if they are different? Are some more limiting than others? Do some offer more leverage than others? Are some more respected? What clearly defines one from another and when do you make that transition? Which ones allow for growth, what ones are topped out? Where do you go from here?

CAD Manager
BIM Manager
Design Technology Manager
Technical Graphics Manager
BIM Specialist
Revit Specialist
CAD Specialist
CAD Technician
Lead Drafter
BIM Coordinator
Business Systems Analyst
Senior Drafter
Technical Delivery Manager
Revit Operator
CAD Operator
Design Licensing Manager
BIM Collaborator

Thanks!

[BeKirra]

The quick answer is that you can hat what you like before you tell your responsibilies.

[cadtag]

Industry standard for titles? ROTFLMAO no such beast. Organizations make them up as they go along.


Job titles are generally (almost) meaningless. with one caveat -- If the person in a role does not have Hire/Fire authority, then his title should not use the term 'Manager'. FWIW. my current job title is not on your list, nor is my last one.

[Mamma Jamma]

They call me the CAD Manager, pretty much by virtue of the length of time I've been with the company and my overall experience with AutoCAD. (There aren't too many problems I haven't already encountered)
I consider myself a drafter and the CAD helpdesk. Having no real authority to hire (though I do interview people), fire (you have to be pretty bad to get fired from our company), or do much but offer suggestions regarding purchase/use of software, I don't consider myself a "manager".
I may get paid a little better for them having given me the title, so I'll take it.

[Wanderer]

Ah, Job Titles... basically? It's all down to HR.

I'd say of all you've listed, the CAD Operator or Drafter titles wouldn't get as much respect as the others, as they're probably seen as more production based, rather than a leadership role (although, again, we all know the job title has very little to do with what we do day to day).

Personally, in my organization, I'm surprised they haven't renamed my role half a dozen times.
I'm a CADD Coordinator. I set standards, purchase and install software and hardware, do qc checks, etc, as well as serve as an archivist and trainer. (additionally, I run any technology related projects affecting my department, but, they're not calling me a PM, which would give me a NICE paygrade. ~sighs~)

Throughout the rest of the healthcare system (construction, telecommunications, clinical engineering, IT, maintenance), the other full AutoCAD users (I'm still the only Revit user ~shrugs~ and the LT and DesignReview users have other primary functions) are called "CADD Systems Specialists."
One of them was recently reclassified as a "Project Engineer", which is basically the assistants to the Project Managers, but, they earn more than the administrative assistants to the PMs. ~shrugs~ It's an annoyance to the staff of real engineers we have here, and it's an affront to my editorial accuracy as well.

At any rate. Managers are one level above me. If I had any direct reports, I would be called the CADD Supervisor. So, the same rung in the organizational ladder, but, no minions. I have done some interviews here, but, I don't have hire/fire authority. I can make purchases up to 10k without outside approval. Purchases up to 100k with my bosses signature. Anything above that, the project or purchase is submitted in my boss's name, and his boss has to sign for that and beg for money from the higher ups who probably couldn't talk to us technical people without getting a headache.

I don't think any of our answers are actually going to provide clear insight the question, but, it's nice to share, and to see what else is called what in the industry.
And, while we don't talk job descriptions specifically, just a reminder that the salary survey should be out in just a few days. I always look forward to the chatter resulting from that AUGIWorld article.

[StDoodle]

Since I have the ability to terminate the employment of the entire drafting department at my company, I guess I can call myself a CAD Manager. (Says the sole drafter at my company.)

[Liamnacuac]

My lofty position is CAD Applications Engineer. I work for the CAD Manager and the director, and keep the users' silly problems with software and hardware off their backs. I also make deployments, install, create tools, but I don't do any drawing anymore..
Most think my Job should be CAD Maintnenance Magician, but I prefer my other title..

[BeKirra]

My lofty position is CAD Applications Engineer. I work for the CAD Manager and the director, and keep the users' silly problems with software and hardware off their backs. I also make deployments, install, create tools, but I don't do any drawing anymore..
Most think my Job should be CAD Maintnenance Magician, but I prefer my other title..

CAD...Magician?
It is very nice.

The person could be called as CAD Managing Director, if he/she was the only one for the drafting in the company.

[BlackBox]

My lofty position is CAD Applications Engineer. I work for the CAD Manager and the director, and keep the users' silly problems with software and hardware off their backs. I also make deployments, install, create tools, but I don't do any drawing anymore..
Most think my Job should be CAD Maintnenance Magician, but I prefer my other title..

I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous that my employer offers no such position(s); I'd jump at an opportunity to do more (or any really) development on the clock. For all of the development that I do, here on the forums, in my free time, and for my second (night) job, it's a shame that my day job has no real interest in utilizing these capabilities.

So FWIW, congrats, and good luck... That sort of opportunity is rare in my limited experience.

[jaberwok]

I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous that my employer offers no such position(s); I'd jump at an opportunity to do more (or any really) development on the clock. For all of the development that I do, here on the forums, in my free time, and for my second (night) job, it's a shame that my day job has no real interest in utilizing these capabilities.

That seems a real shame - and a waste of talent.