Mechanical Designer

Title: Mechanical Designer
Industrial Piping & Process Equipment

Location: San Diego

Type: Contract; Indefinite Extension Possible

Compensation : $35-$44/hr.

Schedule: On-site, M-F - Flexible Hours



Company Overview
CalTek Staffing is partnering with an established San Diego engineering firm that designs custom industrial environmental and gas-treatment systems for chemical, metals, waste-treatment, and other process-intensive applications. Systems are engineered in-house and fabricated through a network of qualified suppliers. The work combines mechanical equipment design, industrial piping, process layout, structural integration, and close coordination with vendors and fabricators.

Position Summary
The Mechanical Designer will work closely with Project Managers, Project Engineers, and engineering leadership to convert P&IDs, engineering markups, equipment data, and project requirements into accurate 3D models and detailed technical drawings. The primary focus is the practical layout of custom process equipment and the piping that connects it, including pumps, valves, instruments, vessels, supports, and related mechanical components. This is an initial six-month contract with the potential for indefinite extension based on business needs, project volume, and performance.

CAD FLEXIBILITY: SolidWorks is the production platform, but prior SolidWorks experience is not required for candidates with strong, transferable 3D piping, process-equipment, or industrial layout-design experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain 3D models and 2D fabrication, assembly, and installation drawings for custom industrial process systems.
• Client out process equipment and route interconnecting piping and ductwork, incorporating pumps, fans or blowers, valves, flanges, reducers, instruments, vessels, and related components as applicable.
• Position equipment and create or revise related parts, supports, frames, and assemblies with attention to operating access, maintenance clearances, constructability, nozzle orientation, and interference avoidance.
• Interpret P&IDs, engineering specifications, equipment data sheets, vendor drawings, sketches, and redlined drawings.
• Update models and drawings based on customer, engineer, vendor, and fabricator feedback while maintaining revision accuracy.
• Coordinate directly with Project Managers, Project Engineers, suppliers, and fabrication partners to resolve fit-up, interface, and design questions.
• Support bills of material, project documentation, drawing packages, and technical manuals as needed.

Required Qualifications

• ssociate degree or technical training in drafting, CAD, or mechanical design; a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline is also acceptable. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Six months to five years of relevant mechanical design or drafting experience involving industrial piping, process equipment, packaged systems, or comparable mechanical assemblies.
• Demonstrated ability to design or Client out piping systems containing pumps, valves, process instruments, fittings, and equipment connections, and to interpret P&IDs, equipment layouts, technical drawings, and vendor documentation.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or a comparable 3D mechanical or plant-design platform with transferable modeling and routing skills. Relevant platforms may include Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge, Creo, Siemens NX, CATIA, AutoCAD Plant 3D, CADWorx, Bentley OpenPlant, AVEVA E3D/PDMS, Smart 3D, or similar software.
• bility and willingness to transition into SolidWorks, work within established drawing and revision-control practices, communicate clearly, and work on-site with a collaborative engineering team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on SolidWorks and AutoCAD experience, including routing, assemblies, drawing creation, or new-part modeling.
• Experience with industrial process skids, environmental systems, chemical-processing equipment, utility systems, or other custom engineered-to-order equipment.
• Experience incorporating structural steel, equipment supports, access platforms, pressure vessels, tanks, ductwork, sheet-metal assemblies, or other fabricated components into equipment layouts.
• Experience preparing fabrication drawings, piping isometrics, bills of material, or vendor drawing packages and coordinating with outside fabricators or installation teams.