Engineering Drafter / Commercial Architectural Woodworking

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview
The Drafter / Engineer is responsible for producing precise shop drawings and machine-ready files that enable flawless fabrication and installation of commercial architectural millwork. Working closely with Project Managers, Estimators, and the Production team, this role bridges design intent and production reality. Deep proficiency with Microvellum, AutoCAD, and INNERGY is essential.

Key Responsibilities
Shop Drawing Development

• Translate architectural drawings, specifications, and field dimensions into fully detailed shop drawings for submittal.
• Ensure drawings clearly communicate intent for cabinetry, countertops, panels, and custom architectural features.
• Prepare elevation, plan, section, and detail views aligned with AWI standards and project expectations.

Engineering for Fabrication

• Generate machine-ready files (CNC, edgebander, dowel) using Microvellum.
• Account for all machining operations, including dadoes, rabbets, boring, edgebanding, and dowel placement.
• Collaborate with Production to ensure drawings and files are optimized for throughput and ease of assembly.

ERP Integration (INNERGY)

• Ensure engineering data flows correctly into INNERGY’s work order system.
• Build and maintain INNERGY-compatible product libraries when needed.
• Tag drawings, components, and materials per INNERGY conventions to support accurate purchasing and scheduling.

Change Management & Coordination

• Reconcile changes from RFIs, ASIs, or client requests and update drawings and machine programs accordingly.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Field staff to ensure continuity from submittal through final installation.
• Flag constraints, conflicts, or missing information to the appropriate stakeholder early in the process.

Documentation & Standards

• Maintain drawing templates, layer standards, and CNC part libraries.
• Ensure all output complies with AWI standards and internal best practices.
• Archive and document final drawings for post-installation reference and warranty support.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience drafting for architectural woodworking or millwork required.
• Understanding of AWI and woodworking construction methods and terminology, and shop fabrication workflows.
• Proficiency in Microvellum.
• Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD modeling.
• Experience with INNERGY is a massive plus.
• Able to read and interpret architectural, MEP, and structural drawings.
• Methodical, organized, and relentless about drawing accuracy.
• Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues early in the project lifecycle.
• A proactive mindset with a commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Teachable is indispensable, team-minded, with aggressive intelligent initiative and a strong bias for action.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Deadline and detail-oriented.
• Ideal candidate understands and believes in Theory of Constraints (TOC) management and lean manufacturing (read The Goal by Eli Goldblatt).
• Strong believer in continuous personal improvement, reading and studying assigned material or seek resources on their own.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a minority- and veteran-owned custom architectural woodworking firm that lives lean principles every day. We value transparency, continuous improvement, and a one-piece-flow mentality—from estimating through delivery. If you’re driven by precision, empowered by The Goal, and ready to elevate our drafting and engineering function, we’d love to meet you.

• Be part of a growing, award-winning company that is at the forefront of custom architectural woodworking.
• Work alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence and innovation.
• Opportunity to contribute to large-scale projects with some of the most respected names in the construction industry.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, along with opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Mutual Understandings

• Goal work schedule: 0600-1630, M-F
• Schedule to be results-driven; working hours to respect reasonable expectations of life/work balance and family time
• Introduced to the team with a transparent and clear set of expectations for the role
• Computer, screens, and other tech for productivity will be provided
• Joining the team with a committed mindset and with a hopeful expectation of ESOP potential in the near future

Compensation
$70,000/yr

• 26 pay periods/year, W-2 employee (standard deductions apply)
• Potential for increases after 180 days, and yearly thereafter, driven by results and contribution margin per drafter profitability
• Health Insurance
• Quote upon request
• Coverage to include MEDICAL and DENTAL, deducted per pay period
• Your total premium per annum would be: $____________ (on PPO plan; other plans available)
• 401k/Retirement (after year 1), with 3% company match on minimum 4% paycheck contribution
• 1 week of paid time off (per calendar year; increase to 2 weeks after year 2, and 3 weeks after year 5)
• 5 personal days (per calendar year)

CS ARCHITECTURAL was established in 2013 as a premium manufacturer of custom architectural woodworking for high-end commercial clients. We work with GC's all over the Chicago-land area as providers of casework and millwork for schools, healthcare facilities, public buildings, private offices, and many other types of facilities.

Our Position: WE GET THE JOB DONE.

Our Core Values
A "MORE-THAN" MINDSET
Smart work ethic
Expect quality of self & others
Efficient, Clean, Organized
Tenacious

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Competence
Caring (equitable)
Conviction
Pragmatic

EXCELLENCE
Know our worth
Integrity
No subpar work
Dependable, but strategic

Our Core Focus
Purpose/Cause/Passion: A legacy of counter-culture in millwork
Niche: AWI QCP & MBE work at the national level

This company has grown exponentially and in a short amount of time, and there is a lot of
potential growth still to come, both for the company, and personally for you, if you're up for the
challenge. As such, we hope you get the best out of us and we hope to get the best of you. We'd
love to be a better company because of you, and we'd love for you to be a better individual
because of us.

Very few organizations can truthfully say: “There is no one else like us in the country.” We are one of fewer than six AWI QCP–certified architectural millwork firms nationwide that are minority-owned — and the only Latino-owned firm among them. You’ll be part of a minority-owned and veteran-owned custom architectural woodworking firm that lives lean principles every day. We value transparency, continuous improvement, and a one-piece-flow mentality—from estimating through delivery. If you’re driven by precision, empowered by The Goal, and ready to elevate our estimating function, we’d love to meet you.

Company Description

CS ARCHITECTURAL was established in 2013 as a premium manufacturer of custom architectural woodworking for high-end commercial clients. We work with GC's all over the Chicago-land area as providers of casework and millwork for schools, healthcare facilities, public buildings, private offices, and many other types of facilities. \r\n\r\nOur Position: WE GET THE JOB DONE. \r\n\r\nOur Core Values \r\nA "MORE-THAN" MINDSET\r\nSmart work ethic\r\nExpect quality of self & others\r\nEfficient, Clean, Organized\r\nTenacious\r\n\r\nEFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP\r\nCompetence\r\nCaring (equitable)\r\nConviction\r\nPragmatic\r\n\r\nEXCELLENCE\r\nKnow our worth\r\nIntegrity\r\nNo subpar work\r\nDependable, but strategic\r\n\r\nOur Core Focus \r\nPurpose/Cause/Passion: A legacy of counter-culture in millwork \r\nNiche: AWI QCP & MBE work at the national level \r\n\r\nThis company has grown exponentially and in a short amount of time, and there is a lot of \r\npotential growth still to come, both for the company, and personally for you, if you're up for the \r\nchallenge. As such, we hope you get the best out of us and we hope to get the best of you. We'd \r\nlove to be a better company because of you, and we'd love for you to be a better individual \r\nbecause of us.\r\n\r\nVery few organizations can truthfully say: “There is no one else like us in the country.” We are one of fewer than six AWI QCP–certified architectural millwork firms nationwide that are minority-owned — and the only Latino-owned firm among them. You’ll be part of a minority-owned and veteran-owned custom architectural woodworking firm that lives lean principles every day. We value transparency, continuous improvement, and a one-piece-flow mentality—from estimating through delivery. If you’re driven by precision, empowered by The Goal, and ready to elevate our estimating function, we’d love to meet you.