CATIA
CATIA is a popular computer software that engineers use to design and create 3D models of products, from car parts to airplane components. Think of it like a very sophisticated digital drawing board where engineers can design, test, and visualize their ideas before anything is actually manufactured. It's made by a company called Dassault Systèmes and is especially popular in automotive and aerospace industries. Similar software includes SolidWorks and NX. These types of programs are often called "CAD software" (Computer-Aided Design) or "3D modeling software."
Examples in Resumes
Designed automotive components using CATIA V5 for major vehicle manufacturer
Created detailed 3D aircraft parts models with CATIA and CATIA V6
Led team training sessions for CATIA implementation across engineering department
Typical job title: "CATIA Engineers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find CATIA Engineers
Professional Networks
Learning Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How have you implemented CATIA in large-scale engineering projects?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss experience managing large assemblies, creating design standards, implementing best practices across teams, and integrating CATIA with other engineering tools and processes.
Q: How do you approach training junior engineers in CATIA?
Expected Answer: Should describe mentoring experience, creation of design guidelines, common pitfalls to avoid, and methods for ensuring consistency across team designs.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Can you explain your experience with CATIA's assembly design features?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain how they've worked with multiple parts, created constraints, and managed complex assemblies in real-world projects.
Q: How do you ensure your CATIA models are manufacturable?
Expected Answer: Should discuss checking designs for manufacturing feasibility, following company standards, and collaboration with manufacturing teams.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic CATIA functions are you familiar with?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic part modeling, simple assemblies, and standard drawing creation.
Q: How do you organize your CATIA files and folders?
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of basic file management, naming conventions, and part organization strategies.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic part modeling
- Simple assemblies
- 2D drawings creation
- Basic geometric dimensioning
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex assembly management
- Surface modeling
- Design modification techniques
- Template creation
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced surfacing techniques
- Large assembly optimization
- Design standardization
- Team leadership and training
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with actual CATIA software
- Unable to describe basic modeling operations
- No knowledge of industry standards and practices
- Lack of experience with technical drawings
- No understanding of manufacturing constraints
