Mechanical Designer/drafter

Job Title: Mechanical Designer / Drafter
Job Description
The Mechanical Designer / Drafter will focus primarily on creating detailed part, weldment, and assembly drawings for mechanical equipment using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. The role centers on developing accurate drawings and Bills of Materials for components such as drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic and hydraulic equipment, with an emphasis on parts and assemblies rather than complete systems. This position requires a detail-oriented professional who enjoys focused design work at a CAD workstation and can support fabrication, engineering, and customer needs through clear, manufacturable drawings and effective communication.
Responsibilities

• Develop detailed part, weldment, and assembly drawings for mechanical equipment using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.
• Create fabrication drawings for components including drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic and hydraulic equipment, with a focus on parts and assemblies rather than full systems.
• Interpret existing drawings, identify required changes, and revise or update designs to meet current project requirements and standards.
• Prepare installation drawings and ensure all title block and drawing information complies with internal drafting and engineering standards.
• Generate accurate Bills of Materials and specify required materials such as sheet metal, structural steel, bearings, reducers, hardware, and related components.
• Research and review previous job documentation and drawing archives to identify reference designs and opportunities for reuse.
• Review job information provided on internal job sheets and accurately enter, maintain, and track job data within internal engineering databases.
• Support the fabrication shop by answering questions, resolving design issues, and ensuring that drawings are clear, complete, and manufacturable.
• Perform measurements of equipment components and assemblies, including at customer sites, for reverse-engineering or validation of existing equipment.
• Communicate with customers and internal teams to clarify project details, equipment requirements, and any missing or ambiguous information.
• Follow established engineering workflow procedures for drawing creation, checking, approval, archiving, and release for fabrication.
• Collaborate with team members on coordinated engineering tasks and shared projects to ensure consistent and timely project execution.
• Perform engineering filing, data entry, and general documentation management to keep project records accurate and organized.
• Work additional hours as needed during the busy season from October to March to meet project and customer deadlines.
• Travel up to approximately 15% of the time to customer sites to take measurements and gather design information.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support engineering and fabrication activities.

Essential Skills

• Strong proficiency with AutoCAD and the ability to comfortably use it for approximately 75% of daily work.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor and the ability to comfortably use it for approximately 25% of daily work.
• Hands-on experience creating part drawings, assembly drawings, and fabrication drawings for mechanical equipment.
• Experience producing steel fabrication drawings, typically working with material thicknesses of 1/4 inch or greater.
• Ability to accurately use a tape measure to check and verify part dimensions in the shop or at customer sites.
• High attention to detail with a commitment to producing accurate, clear, and complete drawings and documentation.
• Willingness to contribute wherever needed within the engineering and fabrication process to support team and project needs.
• Ability to work independently, stay focused for extended periods at a CAD workstation, and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication skills to interact with internal teams, fabrication personnel, and customers regarding design details and requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience using Autodesk Inventor is highly desirable.
• An associate degree in drafting or an equivalent technical education is preferred.
• Experience working in a fabrication environment is very helpful, particularly in steel fabrication.
• Familiarity with mechanical design practices for drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic or hydraulic equipment is beneficial.
• Experience working within structured engineering workflows for drawing checking, approval, and release is an advantage.
• Strong organizational skills and comfort with engineering data entry, filing, and documentation management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or job files simultaneously while meeting deadlines, especially during peak seasons.

Work Environment
The role is primarily desk-based, with the Mechanical Designer / Drafter spending the majority of the day at a dedicated CAD workstation in a quiet, individual work area that supports focused, uninterrupted design work. The position requires a self-directed, "sit down and get it done" approach, where daily priorities are provided and the designer is expected to execute independently and seek clarification when needed. The environment is described as relaxed, with a positive culture and many long-tenured employees, reflecting a stable organization that has been in business for decades and operates as part of a larger group serving the asphalt plant industry. The company emphasizes flexibility and resource sharing across related business units and offers a solid health benefits plan, paid holidays, and paid time off. The team is preparing to move from a somewhat cramped office into a new, more spacious facility. Work is performed mainly on AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor, with occasional visits to the fabrication shop to support manufacturability and answer questions. During the busy season from October through March, extra hours are required to meet project demands. Approximately 15% travel may be involved to visit customer sites and take measurements of existing equipment. The overall atmosphere favors focused, productive work over frequent socializing, while still maintaining a supportive and collaborative team culture.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Louisville, KY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $32.00/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 Louisville,KY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 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 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.


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