Award-Winning Program

De Anza's Design and Manufacturing Technologies Department has been recognized by the state Chancellor's "Workforce Stars" initiative for strong performance in these areas:
  • Students in the CNC Machinist program increased their earnings by 71%
  • More than 80% of CNC Machinist students earned at or above the regional living wage

Careers in Design and Manufacturing Technologies

Every manufactured object, from a rubber shoe sole to the gears in a car, requires technical drawings or computer models that describe its physical shape.

Designers and engineers create models and, with the help of computer-aided design (CAD) software, develop the plans for manufacturing individual components and the final assembled product.

Production engineers, computer numerical control (CNC) machinists, CNC programmers, mold makers and other skilled workers use those plans to configure and operate CNC machines, 3D printers and other equipment used to manufacture the products.

Employment Outlook: 2020-2030

  • The number of jobs for industrial engineering technicians are expected to increase 10%
  • There will be more than 16,000 openings for computer numerically controlled (CNC) operators during the 10-year period

These ten-year projections for California employment are calculated by the state Employment Development Department, which collects data about the state's workforce and economic trends.

Design and Manufacturing Technologies Programs at De Anza

The Design and Manufacturing Technologies Department offers courses, certificates and degrees for both entry-level students and professionals seeking to increase their skills.

The department has accreditation from the National Institute for Metal Working Skills (NIMS) and is a Haas Technical Education Center and authorized Mastercam Training Center. 

Programs include Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Machining, Coordinate Measuring Machining (CMM), Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance (GD&T) and 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.