CAD Drafter - Team Lead

North Shore Steel is a trusted, industry-leading metals service center with more than 65 years of experience supporting customers across the Gulf Coast and nationwide. With locations in Houston and Beaumont, we provide a full range of structural steel products and value-added processing services, including cutting, machining, forming, rolling, and fabrication, helping customers across construction, energy, industrial, and OEM sectors move faster and build with confidence. Our legacy is rooted in reliability, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships.

At North Shore Steel, our Core Values guide how we work and lead: Be Safe Always, Provide Great Service, Do the Right Thing, Take the Initiative, and Maximize Your Potential. If these values resonate with you and you're looking for a place where you can contribute, grow, and be part of a team that supports one another, we invite you to join our team.

Lead CAD Drafter - Plate Processing

North Shore Steel | Houston, TX

North Shore Steel is where CAD meets real-world execution.

For over 65 years, we've built a reputation for precision, reliability, and performance in steel processing. Our team doesn't just design parts, we bring them to life through advanced cutting, forming, and fabrication that supports critical industries across the country.

We are seeking a Lead CAD Operator who wants to grow into a true expert in production-driven design, someone who understands that great CAD work isn't just accurate, it's efficient, manufacturable, and built for performance.

This role offers the opportunity to own your work, influence nesting strategy and material efficiency, and directly impact production outcomes. You won't be working in isolation, your decisions will shape how work flows through the shop and how effectively we deliver for our customers.

If you take pride in precision, think in terms of optimization, and want to see your work come to life on the floor, this is the kind of role where you can do your best work.

This is a role for someone who wants to move beyond drafting and become a true technical leader in a production environment.

What You'll Own

Drawing Interpretation & CAD Development

• Interpret customer drawings, specifications, and project requirements with precision
• Convert customer-supplied files (PDF, DWG, etc.) into production-ready SolidWorks and Tekla models
• Develop detailed part and assembly drawings aligned with manufacturing capabilities
• Ensure all drawings meet internal standards and customer specifications

Nesting & Production Optimization

• Create CNC nests using ProNest and PrimeCut for plasma and oxy-fuel cutting systems
• Optimize nests for material yield, cut time, and machine efficiency
• Align nests with machine capabilities (Messer, Kinetic, etc.) and production schedules
• Continuously refine nesting strategies based on real production feedback

Quality & Accuracy

• Serve as the final check to ensure all drawings and nests are accurate and production-ready
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between customer requirements and manufacturability
• Maintain organized, version-controlled files for all drawings and nests
• Drive consistency and standardization across CAD and nesting practices

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales to support accurate quoting and material takeoffs
• Work closely with Production to ensure seamless execution on the floor
• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders to resolve technical questions quickly

Lead-Level Contribution

• Set the standard for drawing quality, speed, and discipline
• Support training and development of less experienced CAD operators
• Contribute to process improvements, standardization, and operational excellence

What You'll Influence

• Material Yield - Maximize plate utilization and reduce scrap
• Machine Efficiency - Improve cut time and equipment performance
• Production Throughput - Help drive speed and flow across operations
• Rework Reduction - Ensure drawings are right the first time
• Operational Consistency - Build repeatable, high-quality processes

What "Great" Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)

• Produces accurate, production-ready drawings with minimal rework
• Consistently delivers high-efficiency nests that improve material yield and throughput
• Becomes a trusted partner to Commercial and Operation teams
• Identifies and implements improvements in CAD and nesting processes
• Operates with urgency, ownership, and strong attention to detail

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CAD and nesting experience in a steel service center or fabrication environment
• Advanced proficiency in:
• SolidWorks
• Tekla
• ProNest / PrimeCut
• Strong understanding of:
• CNC plasma and oxy-fuel cutting processes (Messer, Kinetic, or similar)
• Steel plate processing and fabrication methods
• Proven ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings and specifications
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Sound judgment and problem-solving capability in a fast-paced environment
• Professional communication skills and team-oriented mindset

Why North Shore Steel

We are a performance-driven organization grounded in strong values:

• Be Safe Always
• Do The Right Thing
• Provide Great Service
• Take The Initiative
• Be An Endless Learner

We offer a stable, growing environment where your work directly impacts the success of the business and the people around you.

If you're looking for a role where your work matters, your ideas improve performance, and you can grow into a technical leader, this is that opportunity.

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer and performing job duties.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand and arm movements for typing, phone use, and operating standard office equipment.
• Ability to independently move through office and warehouse environments, including walking on concrete floors and around operational areas.
• Ability to stand and walk between work areas, meeting spaces, and production environments as required.
• Ability to lift and carry office materials up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to maintain sufficient visual and auditory acuity to read screens, review documents, observe surroundings, and respond to verbal instructions and safety alerts.
• Ability to drive a standard company vehicle when required by the position.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

All candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must complete the company's pre-employment screening process. This includes:

• Criminal background check: reviewed in accordance with job duties, the nature and gravity of any convictions, and the time elapsed since the offense or sentence completion.
• Pre-hire drug screening: candidates must pass a drug screen to be eligible for hire.
• Physical assessment: required for all Production and Distribution positions, conducted by a company-designated physician at no cost to the candidate.

Participation in each step of the pre-employment process is required. Candidates who choose not to participate or who do not meet the screening criteria will not be eligible for employment.

Benefits:

At North Shore Steel, we invest in the well-being of our team. Full-time employees receive a robust benefits package that includes multiple Major Medical plan options, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life, Short-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, and HSA options for qualifying plans.

We also provide Long-Term Disability, Basic Life, and AD&D coverage at no cost to you. You'll also enjoy a generous holiday schedule, a competitive PTO program, and a Safe Harbor 401(k) with company contributions to support your long-term financial goals.

We are an equal opportunity employer and maintain a safe, secure, and drug-free workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

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