Mechanical Designer/drafter

Job Title: Mechanical Designer / Drafter

Job Description

The Mechanical Designer / Drafter is responsible for creating, updating, and managing accurate 2D drawings and 3D models that support manufacturing, assembly, and quality control. This role works closely with engineering, fabrication, and assembly teams to ensure that all mechanical designs, documentation, and Bills of Materials are complete, consistent, and aligned with current design intent and standards.

Responsibilities

• Create, modify, and maintain accurate 3D CAD models and assemblies for mechanical components and systems using SolidWorks.

• Generate highly detailed, production-ready 2D technical drawings that comply with national and international standards, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) practices such as ASME Y14.5.

• Collaborate closely with Mechanical Engineers to incorporate design changes and ensure all models and drawings reflect the latest revisions and design intent.

• Manage and control engineering documentation, including drawings, 3D models, and Bills of Materials (BOMs), within a Product Data Management (PDM) or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.

• Review and check drawings created by other team members for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established drafting and documentation standards.

• Assist engineers in selecting standard components, materials, and dimensioning approaches to optimize designs for manufacturability, assembly, and cost-effectiveness.

• Support fabrication and assembly teams by quickly resolving drawing interpretation issues that arise during the build and test processes.

• Develop and maintain standard block libraries, templates, and drafting best practices to improve efficiency and standardization across the organization.

• Participate in design reviews to ensure that documentation meets all requirements for manufacturing, quality inspection, and configuration control.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to support engineering, production, and overall company goals and objectives.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D CAD modeling and 2D drafting of mechanical components and assemblies.

• Experience creating detailed, production-ready mechanical drawings that adhere to recognized drafting standards.

• Familiarity with ASME Y14.5 and practical application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

• Experience with Product Data Management (PDM) or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for managing drawings, models, and Bills of Materials.

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret engineering specifications, schematics, and technical documents.

• Ability to communicate effectively with engineering, fabrication, and assembly teams to clarify design intent and resolve issues.

• Education such as an Associates Degree or certification in Drafting, CAD Technology, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience in mechanical design and drafting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in industries such as aerospace and defense, oil and gas, construction equipment, robotics, automation, industrial machinery, or machine design.

• Exposure to part design and complex mechanical systems in a production environment.

• Experience in environments that emphasize Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and cost-effective mechanical design.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, growing organization and adapt to evolving design and documentation needs.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role in a dynamic, fun startup-style environment where the Mechanical Designer / Drafter primarily performs desk-based work using CAD and PDM/PLM tools. The position requires occasional interaction with production areas and an outdoor test facility to support build, test, and troubleshooting activities. The typical schedule follows standard daytime hours (approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), with some flexibility needed to support project timelines and team needs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $42.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Austin,TX.

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.