Civil Cad Designer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Civil CAD Designer
Job Description

This Civil CAD Designer role supports a wide variety of land development projects across central Ohio, including municipal, urban redevelopment, education, retail, parks and recreation, subdivisions, healthcare, and more. You will prepare detailed civil engineering drawings and CAD models using AutoCAD Civil 3D, collaborate closely with engineers and other design professionals, and help ensure projects meet State of Ohio and local agency requirements. This position offers the opportunity to work independently, learn new technologies, and grow into project leadership and potential project management responsibilities over time.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed civil engineering drawings for site development, including grading, storm water drainage, sanitary sewers, waterlines, storm sewers, and related supporting design information.
• Develop construction drawings and CAD models using AutoCAD Civil 3D for a variety of site civil projects.
• Assist in the design of stormwater management systems, sanitary sewer systems, water distribution systems, and roadway alignments.
• Create and refine surface grading plans using contours and spot elevations to achieve functional and constructible designs.
• Import, organize, and interpret survey data, aerial imagery, and GIS files to support accurate design and documentation.
• Collaborate with engineers, surveyors, and other design professionals to ensure project accuracy, constructability, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and assist in preparing cost estimates for civil construction projects.
• Support permitting processes by preparing required documentation and responding to comments from reviewing agencies.
• Maintain organized project files and strictly adhere to company drafting standards and QA/QC procedures.
• Communicate effectively with internal staff, clients, and contractors to clarify design intent and resolve issues during design and documentation.
• Take on increasing responsibility in helping to run projects as a designer once you are comfortable with the role.

• Minimum of 2+ years of site civil design experience, including grading, site layout, storm water drainage, sanitary sewers, waterlines, and storm sewers.
• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D, with the ability to work independently on civil design and drafting tasks.
• Hands-on experience with grading design, surface development, feature lines, pipe parts libraries, and pipe networks in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Ability to develop detailed civil engineering drawings and construction documents for site development projects.
• Ability to interpret and apply State of Ohio and local agency design and approval requirements.
• Capability to import and interpret survey data, aerial imagery, and GIS files for use in civil design.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with staff, clients, and contractors.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently while meeting strict deadlines and maintaining accuracy.
• Motivation to learn new technologies and adapt to an innovative, technology-driven environment.
• Ability to collaborate with engineers, surveyors, and other design professionals in a team setting.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline (preferred).
• Engineer in Training (EIT) certification or Professional Engineer (PE) license (preferred).
• Survey CAD experience, including working with survey-based data and files (preferred).
• Experience with stormwater design and stormwater management systems.
• Familiarity with site civil design for a range of project types, including municipal, urban redevelopment, education, retail, parks and recreation, subdivisions, and healthcare.
• Interest in career growth opportunities, including the potential to move into project management.
• Willingness to take on greater project responsibility as skills and experience grow.
• Participation in professional organizations, supported by paid professional dues and membership fees.

This role operates in a hybrid work environment, with four days in the office and one day remote each week, and flexibility in the hybrid schedule for special circumstances. You will work as part of a civil engineering group of approximately 30 professionals in a central Ohio office. The company emphasizes an innovative, technology-driven culture where team members are encouraged to learn new tools and approaches. You will have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of projects, which helps prevent being limited to a single project type and supports steady workload. The environment supports professional growth, including opportunities to help run projects as a designer, potential advancement into project management, education assistance, paid professional dues and membership fees, and regular monthly company events that foster team connection and collaboration.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Columbus,OH.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 14, 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.

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 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 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.