Mechanical Designer/drafter

Mechanical Designer/Drafter

This Mechanical Designer / Drafter role focuses on creating, updating, and managing precise 2D drawings and 3D models that are essential for manufacturing, assembly, and quality control. You will work closely with mechanical engineers and production teams to ensure all designs meet engineering standards, support efficient fabrication, and align with overall project goals in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Create, modify, and maintain accurate 3D CAD models and assemblies for mechanical components and systems using SolidWorks.
• Generate highly detailed, production-ready 2D technical drawings that comply with applicable national and international drafting and dimensioning standards, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Collaborate closely with mechanical engineers to incorporate design changes and ensure models and drawings consistently reflect the latest revisions and design intent.
• Manage and control engineering documentation, including drawings, models, and Bills of Materials (BOMs), within a Product Data Management (PDM) system.
• Review and check drawings created by other team members for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established drafting standards and procedures.
• Assist engineers in selecting standard components and materials, and in defining dimensions and tolerances to optimize designs for manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
• Support fabrication and assembly teams by quickly resolving drawing interpretation issues that arise during the build and test processes.
• Develop and maintain standard block libraries, templates, and drafting tools to improve efficiency and promote documentation standardization across the organization.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure that documentation meets all requirements for manufacturing, assembly, and quality inspection.
• Perform other related drafting and design duties as assigned to support engineering projects and organizational objectives.

Essential Skills

• Associate degree or certification in drafting, CAD technology, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience using SolidWorks for 3D modeling and 2D drafting of mechanical components and assemblies.
• Familiarity with ASME Y14.5 geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) principles and their application to mechanical drawings.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineering and cross-functional teams, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret engineering specifications, schematics, and technical documents.
• Experience or strong aptitude in mechanical design and drafting within industries such as aerospace and defense, oil and gas, construction equipment, machine design, or related sectors.
• Ability to work within a structured environment that uses PDM or PLM tools to manage engineering data and documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards of accuracy and consistency in drawings and models.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Product Data Management (PDM) systems and/or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools.
• Practical experience applying GD&T to production-ready drawings beyond basic familiarity.
• Exposure to industries such as aerospace and defense, oil and gas, construction equipment, machine design, or similar complex mechanical environments.
• Internship or co-op experience with heavy exposure to mechanical drafting and CAD work, particularly for entry-level candidates.
• Interest in working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented startup environment and contributing to the development of new processes and standards.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role in a primarily office-based setting where you will spend most of your time at a desk working in CAD and documentation systems. You will occasionally interface with production areas and an outdoor test facility to support build, test, and troubleshooting activities. The standard schedule follows a typical 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. workday, with some flexibility needed to support project or production needs. The culture emphasizes a fun, collaborative startup environment where you can contribute during the company's early growth phase. The organization offers paid time off, including a shutdown week from December 26th to 31st, and 10 paid holidays such as New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and a designated winter break holiday period. The work involves using modern CAD tools such as SolidWorks and operating within PDM and PLM systems to manage engineering data and documentation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $42.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Austin, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 11, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.