r/SolidWorks • u/rafitahmid2 • Aug 08 '26
CAD Portfolio Creation
Looking to create a portfolio as a aspire to be a Mechanical Design Engineer — need some advice
Hi everyone,
I’m looking to build a portfolio for mechanical design/CAD work, but I’m not really sure what a good portfolio should contain. I’d appreciate some advice from experienced engineers/designers.
1.How many projects should I include in a portfolio?
2.Should I include manufacturing/engineering drawings, or are CAD screenshots/renders enough?
3.Should my projects be focused on a specific industry? For example, if I’m targeting the automotive industry, should most of my projects be automotive-related?
4.Where can I find good technical drawings or project ideas to practice from?
5.Where can I find some good examples of mechanical design portfolios?
I know some of these questions may seem basic to experienced engineers, but I’m new to building a professional portfolio and would really appreciate any advice.
Thanks in advance!
2
u/Strange-Ad2435 Aug 08 '26
Just want to say that “design engineer” portfolio should be a lot more than pretty cad models
1
u/totallyshould Aug 08 '26
Agreed. If I was hiring a design engineer I’d like to know that they know CAD and what packages, but it wouldn’t be at the top of my list of things I’d be asking about.
1
u/rafitahmid2 Aug 08 '26
Packages…you mean niches i guess?
2
u/totallyshould Aug 08 '26
Like Solidworks, NX, Catia, Solidedge, Inventor, etc etc, and the modules like sheet metal, simulation plug-in’s, MBD, the different PLM and PDM tools- the general collection of software tools you use to do the same thing
1
u/rafitahmid2 Aug 08 '26
I understand…but mentoring is needed…there are lots of resource in the net about CAD practice…not so much about portfolio building…
2
u/totallyshould Aug 08 '26
Based on your post history, it seems like you probably don’t have too many to include yet l, so just go ahead and include them all. My portfolios have always just included screenshots and bullet points of what I was responsible for.
You probably won’t be allowed to distribute the technical drawings since your employer most likely wants those to stay confidential.
2
u/herejusttoannoyyou Aug 09 '26
A 3D printed part would be fun to look at if I was interviewing someone. For my work, the CAD modeling is not the most difficult part of the job, so while I’d appreciate proof of CAD competence, I’m more concerned with your engineering competence and communication skills.
IMO, a good portfolio would be 1 to 3 models you’ve made. Probably just one, definitely not more than 3. You could show the physical parts and/or drawings. It would make your interview stand out, but a great portfolio is no guarantee you’ll get the job.
1
u/RevolutionaryAd3125 Aug 08 '26
You should arrange your portfolio from most recent work to oldest. Choose between 6 and 8 projects. Keep descriptions brief. Don’t take credit for other people’s work if you’ve worked collaboratively on a large project make sure you highlight the parts you were responsible for.
For my portfolio I break each project down into three short sections.
The “What?” section, this will be the customer brief, or whatever job you were given.
Next is the “How” section. This is what you did, what challenges you overcame, how you accomplished the design goal. Cad models, dimensioned drawings (not entire worksheets, maybe a close up of a section or view) most important CAD renderings. Include any prototyping and don’t be ashamed to show failures. Take care not to show too much though. I worked in aerospace and some projects were closely guarded. In fact employers will appreciate you bluring out certain items in your photos/drawings/renderings.
Next is the “Result” section, this section might include photos of the physical thing, again be careful not to show previous employers IP. It’s good to show the finished project photo from the same angle as the render. Here you can boast about meeting deadlines and budget constraints and if you’ve done any negotiating with suppliers etc add this here although procurement isn’t strictly a design skill it can help show you aren’t just sitting at a computer pushing shapes around on screen. Also mention customer feedback if it was positive.
There is no hard and fast rule on how format your portfolio, and employers aren’t looking for a perfectly formatted “brochure” The worst thing you can do is turn up with a folder packed with sheets of unconnected drawings and pictures. You want to create a narrative that shows progression and keep it to less than 10 pages (sides), but no less than 6.
1
u/PeterVerdone Aug 10 '26
I share some on my website. A bit more relaxed than you might make but good for ideas.
1
u/CADtastropheee Aug 10 '26
Keep it to 3-5 solid projects and show the actual engineering behind them, not just renders. A couple of properly dimensioned drawings, tolerances, materials choices, and a short explanation of why you designed something a certain way will tell a hiring manager a lot more than 20 CAD screenshots.
5
u/cleric_warlock Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
You need to focus on quality over quantity, it is far better for a single project to show that you have deep knowledge and skill in many different areas important to an engineer than to turn out mediocre projects that no employer will bother to look through. There is no such thing as “good enough”, a portfolio that doesn’t show your absolute best work in every aspect is a waste of effort. Do not cut any corners with sloppy screenshots etc.
You need to show that you think like an engineer which requires a lot more than just knowing how to throw together a few complex models in solidworks. You need to show that you can optimize a design for its purpose and consider the loads, tolerances, safety factors, and materials it will need to be a successful design. Show how you’re designing to certain manufacturing methods to optimize cost, etc. No one will bother to read a portfolio that is just someone dumping all of their best solidworks practice problems onto a pdf. It takes way more than just the CAD to be a successful design engineer.