CATIA
CATIA is a computer software that helps engineers and designers create detailed 3D models of products, from airplane parts to cars. Think of it as a very sophisticated digital drawing board where engineers can design, test, and modify complex parts before they're actually manufactured. It's made by a company called Dassault Systèmes and is especially popular in aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment industries. Similar tools include SolidWorks and NX. These types of software are often called "CAD" (Computer-Aided Design) or "PLM" (Product Lifecycle Management) tools.
Examples in Resumes
Designed aircraft wing components using CATIA V5
Created complex 3D surface models of automotive parts with CATIA
Led team training sessions for CATIA implementation
Managed product design lifecycle using CATIA and CATIA V6
Typical job title: "CATIA Designers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find CATIA Designers
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you manage a large assembly project in CATIA involving multiple team members?
Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss project organization strategies, file management, use of standard parts libraries, and how to coordinate multiple designers working on different components of the same project.
Q: Describe a complex design challenge you solved using CATIA.
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving abilities, and advanced knowledge of CATIA's capabilities in real-world applications.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure your CATIA models are optimized for manufacturing?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic design for manufacturing principles, how they check for proper tolerances, and their process for creating drawings that manufacturing teams can easily understand.
Q: Explain how you use CATIA's surface modeling features.
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe creating and modifying curved surfaces, and understanding when to use surface modeling versus solid modeling.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic modeling tools in CATIA you use most often?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe basic features like sketching, extrusion, revolve, and how to create simple parts from start to finish.
Q: How do you create and modify basic assemblies in CATIA?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to bring multiple parts together, apply basic constraints, and make simple modifications to assembled components.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic part modeling and drawing creation
- Simple assembly modeling
- Understanding of basic geometric dimensioning
- Ability to follow established design standards
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex surface modeling
- Large assembly management
- Design optimization techniques
- Integration with other CAD systems
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced surfacing and complex geometry
- Project leadership and team coordination
- Design process optimization
- Manufacturing process knowledge
Red Flags to Watch For
- No practical experience with actual design projects
- Unable to create basic 3D models
- No knowledge of industry standards and practices
- Lack of understanding of manufacturing processes
- No experience working with engineering drawings
