Mechanical Designer/drafter

Job Title: Mechanical Designer / DrafterJob Description

The Mechanical Designer / Drafter develops detailed part, weldment, and assembly drawings for industrial mechanical equipment, including drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic and hydraulic equipment. The role focuses primarily on component and assembly-level design rather than full systems, with approximately 90% of the workday spent at a CAD workstation using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. This position supports engineering and fabrication teams by producing accurate, manufacturable drawings, maintaining engineering documentation, and assisting with measurements, reverse-engineering, and project coordination.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed part, weldment, and assembly drawings for mechanical equipment using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.

• Create fabrication drawings, including steel fabrication drawings typically using 1/4 inch or thicker materials.

• Interpret existing drawings and revise, update, or improve designs as needed to meet project requirements.

• Produce installation drawings and ensure all title block information complies with internal standards and procedures.

• Generate Bills of Materials and specify required materials such as sheet metal, structural steel, bearings, reducers, hardware, and related components.

• Research and reference previous job documentation and drawing archives to support design reuse and consistency.

• Review job information provided on internal job sheets and accurately enter and track job data in internal engineering databases.

• Support the fabrication shop by answering questions, resolving design issues, and ensuring drawings are accurate, clear, and manufacturable.

• Conduct precise measurements of equipment components and assemblies, including at customer sites, for reverse-engineering or validation purposes.

• Communicate with customers and internal teams to clarify project details, equipment requirements, and design expectations.

• Follow established engineering workflow procedures for drawing creation, checking, approval, archiving, and release to fabrication.

• Collaborate with team members on coordinated engineering tasks and shared projects to ensure schedules and quality targets are met.

• Perform engineering filing, data entry, and general documentation management to keep records organized and up to date.

• Execute assigned tasks independently, managing daily priorities and seeking clarification when needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of engineering and fabrication operations.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency with AutoCAD, with the ability and comfort to use it approximately 75% of the time.

• Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor, with the ability and comfort to use it approximately 25% of the time.

• Experience creating detailed part drawings, assembly drawings, and fabrication drawings.

• Experience producing steel fabrication drawings, typically working with 1/4 inch or thicker materials.

• Ability to use a tape measure accurately to check and verify part dimensions.

• Strong mechanical design and mechanical drafting skills focused on industrial equipment and components.

• High attention to detail, with the ability to produce accurate, complete, and clearly documented drawings.

• Willingness to assist wherever needed and contribute across tasks to support the team.

• Ability to work independently, focus on tasks, and complete assigned work with minimal supervision.

• Willingness and ability to work extra hours during the busy season from October to March.

• Ability to travel up to approximately 15% of the time to customer sites for measurement and verification work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience using Autodesk Inventor is highly desirable.

• An associate degree in drafting or an equivalent technical qualification is preferred.

• Experience working in a fabrication environment is very helpful, particularly in understanding shop practices and manufacturability.

• Familiarity with Bills of Materials and material specification for sheet metal, structural steel, and mechanical components.

• Comfort working with industrial equipment such as drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic and hydraulic components.

• Strong organizational skills for managing engineering files, documentation, and data entry.

• Effective communication skills for interacting with internal teams, fabrication personnel, and customers.

Work Environment

The role is primarily desk-based, with the Mechanical Designer / Drafter working at a CAD workstation in a dedicated corner or individual workspace for the majority of the day. The environment emphasizes focused, heads-down work, where the individual receives direction for the day, executes assigned tasks, and proactively reaches out with questions as needed rather than seeking frequent social interaction during work time. The position involves close collaboration with engineering and fabrication teams and occasional visits to customer sites, with approximately 15% travel required for on-site measurements and verification of equipment. During the busy season from October to March, additional work hours are expected to meet project demands. The organization offers a relaxed culture and values long-term employees, with many tenured team members and a reputation as a supportive place to work. The broader group includes several related companies serving the asphalt plant industry, sharing resources and maintaining a dynamic, fluid structure. Benefits include a strong health benefits plan, six paid holidays, and paid time off, contributing to a stable and attractive work environment. The company is transitioning from a slightly cramped office into a new, more spacious facility, providing an improved workspace for employees.

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.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Louisville,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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 click.appcast.io 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.