CAD/CAM DESIGNER TRAINEE

DescriptionCAD/CAM Designer Trainee

Company Overview

Midwest Dental Arts is a full-service dental laboratory that has been delivering exceptional restorations and outstanding customer service since 1996. Founded in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we have grown to four locations while maintaining our commitment to fabricating all restorations in the United States with no overseas outsourcing. As a leader in implant and restorative dentistry, we specialize in custom abutments, full-arch zirconia, acrylic restorations, and supra-structure hybrid solutions. Our skilled technicians leverage advanced technology, craftsmanship, and attention to detail to produce high-quality restorations that support excellent patient outcomes. At Midwest Dental Arts, we are passionate about innovation, collaboration, and service excellence, partnering with dental professionals nationwide to help create confident, healthy smiles. Joining our team means becoming part of an organization dedicated to quality, continuous improvement, and making a meaningful impact—one smile at a time.

Position Summary

The CAD/CAM Designer Trainee supports the design and development of digital dental restorations using CAD/CAM technology and other dental lab equipment. This entry-level role is ideal for an individual who is eager to learn and develop the technical skills for a Dental Lab through hands-on training and mentorship. The Design Trainee works under the guidance of experienced CAD/CAM designers and Technicians to create accurate, high-quality digital prosthetics while learning best practices, workflows, and quality standards. The Design Trainee is expected to grow in independence over time, progressively taking on more complex cases and tasks as skills and confidence develop.

Key Responsibilities

Lear to design restorations under supervision of senior designers
Partner with Milling team on Fit needs of printed prosthetics.
Work primarily on standard single-unit and bridge cases, progressing to more complex designs over time
Learn and follow established design protocols and quality standards
Flag questions or prescription issues to senior designers before proceeding
Maintain organized digital files within the workflow system

Qualifications & Requirements

Combination of dental experience and general computer knowledge preferred.
Working knowledge of EXOCAD or 3Shape preferred but not required
Basic understanding of dental anatomy, occlusion, and tooth morphology or willingness to learn
Familiarity with digital scan files and STL format
Willingness to learn and accept feedback as this role involves daily mentorship and review

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive Pay with additional bonus potential
Benefits including Medical, dental, vision, Life
401k with company match
Paid Time off (PTO) plus paid holidays
Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

Midwest Dental Arts is an affiliate company of Catalis Dental Lab Partners. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity and the other Brands under the Catalis Network, you can find us at <catalislabs.com>. At Midwest Dental Arts, you are not just joining a Team, you are joining a family, Let’s start building some smiles together.

Midwest Dental Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.