Steel Designer (Entry-Level)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Designer Job Description

The Designer reads and interprets production bills of material, structural drawings, and steel erection drawings to produce accurate shop orders for production. This role focuses on the data entry and design of open web steel joists and steel decking using a proprietary design program, while working in a fast-paced, production-driven environment. The position begins with training on completed projects and progresses to managing multiple live projects, offering strong opportunities for professional growth, bonuses, and long-term career development.

• Read and understand production bills of material, structural drawings, and steel erection drawings to create accurate and complete shop orders for production.
• Perform data entry and design of open web steel joists and steel decking using a proprietary design program.
• Prepare detailed shop orders and design details that support efficient and accurate fabrication.
• Review and check designs and shop orders prepared by other designers to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with standards.
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, production-driven environment, often working on 6–8 or more projects in a single day.
• Meet project schedules and deadlines for all assigned work while maintaining high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Collaborate closely with detailers and team leads, reviewing drawings and ensuring each project is processed correctly before release.
• Participate in training by reworking completed projects to learn detailing and project management processes before transitioning to new, active projects.
• Adapt to changing priorities and project demands while maintaining organized workflows and clear documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support production, design, and project delivery goals.

• Technical degree preferred with knowledge of static forces and materials, such as Civil Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to work on several (6+) projects per day in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic understanding of geometry and trigonometry for use in structural and joist design.
• Ability to visualize how elements fit together in three dimensions when working from two-dimensional drawings.
• Experience or aptitude in structural design, structural engineering concepts, and engineering design workflows.
• Ability to read and interpret structural drawings, steel erection drawings, and bills of material.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and preparation of shop orders.
• Capability to work effectively with proprietary design software and adapt to new tools and systems.

• Experience with joist design and structural steel decking design.
• Familiarity with preparing and reviewing shop orders for structural steel products.
• Exposure to or experience with structural design tools and engineering design interfaces (e.g., JEDI or similar systems).
• Interest in learning and applying structural engineering principles in a production environment.
• Desire for long-term career growth, with openness to internal mobility and advancement into other groups within the organization.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with detailers, team leads, and other designers.
• Ability to thrive in a production-driven setting with frequent project handoffs and tight deadlines.
• Comfort working on projects across multiple regions and fabrication facilities.

The role operates in a casual yet highly deadline-driven work environment where accuracy and timeliness are critical. Designers work in an open-concept office with individual cubicles, providing both personal workspace and close proximity to team leads for easy collaboration. The office recently moved into a newly renovated building in downtown Fort Wayne, featuring ample natural light and convenient access to nearby food and recreation options. The culture emphasizes the philosophy of being "flexible to the finish," encouraging innovation, adaptability, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. The organization is employee-focused and offers attractive incentives, including overtime opportunities, contract-to-hire pathways, quarterly bonuses, profit sharing, stock-based rewards, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and college scholarships for additional schooling. Work is very steady and production-driven, with designers seeing nearly every project that goes out from a large team of detailers and typically working on multiple projects per day. Dress is casual, and the environment supports both focused individual work and frequent collaboration.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fort Wayne, IN.

The pay range for this position is $20.75 - $23.75/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Fort Wayne,IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

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

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.