DARC Technical Illustrator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: DARC Technical Illustrator
Job Description

This role focuses on creating and maintaining high‑quality engineering drawings, technical illustrations, and as‑built documentation that support a complex deep space radar program. You will work with 3D CAD models, ensure strict adherence to ASME standards, and help manage product configuration and lifecycle data. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to advanced radar systems that provide 24/7, all‑weather capabilities for detecting, tracking, and characterizing objects in deep space.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and as‑built documentation for complex mechanical and system designs.
• Develop clear, accurate technical illustrations from 3D models using SolidWorks and related tools.
• Check completed layouts and drawings for clarity, completeness, and conformity to standards, procedures, specifications, and ASME requirements.
• Verify the accuracy of calculations, dimensions, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing on all drawings and documentation.
• Identify design errors, omissions, and other deficiencies in drawings and models, and recommend revisions or improvements to responsible engineers or designers.
• Support the overall Production Lifecycle Management (PLM) system by creating, maintaining, and organizing product and CAD data.
• Establish and maintain system configuration baselines, including indentured parts lists and drawing trees with appropriate levels of indenture.
• Perform project engineering–type functions for a small group of engineers, including task management, customer interactions, and coordination with program management on schedules and work scope.
• Present and clearly articulate complex designs, drawings, and technical concepts to both internal and external customers.
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, and other stakeholders to drive design drawings and specifications to conclusion across the product development life cycle.
• Support design verification activities and contribute to verification reporting as needed.
• Assist with the design and modeling of mechanical hardware interfaces, such as mounting brackets and related structures.
• Contribute to cable management and cable assembly requirements for RF and fiber optic applications where applicable.
• Support integrated electrical systems setup, testing, and issue resolution in coordination with multidisciplinary teams.
• Participate in the integration of mechanical and electrical instrumentation, including assisting with electrical checkout of sensors and data acquisition hardware.
• Apply knowledge of test design and execution to support validation and verification efforts.
• Leverage production lifecycle management tools such as Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, Enovia, or ARAS to manage CAD and product data.
• Use or support the use of AI drafting assistants to generate 3D models from text prompts where appropriate.
• Contribute to an AGILE, SCRUM, or DevOps‑oriented development environment by providing timely, accurate technical documentation.
• Support radar‑related projects, including those associated with USAF/DoD radar systems and technical orders, as applicable to the role.

• Active Secret security clearance (with Active TS/SCI required for both drafter and drafter/illustrator positions).
• Level 3 qualification: 5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor of Science, 3 years with a Master’s degree, or 1 year with a PhD.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD modeling software, including experience with NX, Creo, and/or SolidWorks.
• Demonstrated experience generating and creating engineering drawings compliant with ASME standards.
• Experience generating indentured parts lists and organizing drawing trees with multiple levels of indenture.
• Experience establishing and maintaining a system configuration baseline for complex systems.
• Solid understanding of mechanical design principles, including analysis and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience using production lifecycle management (PLM) systems to manage product and CAD data, such as Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, Enovia, or ARAS.
• Ability to perform project engineering functions for a small group, including task management, customer interactions, and coordination with program management on schedules and scope.
• Ability to present and articulate complex designs and technical information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to focus on both detailed elements and the broader system‑level context of a complex system of systems.
• For the drafter role (level 2/3): demonstrated experience with SolidWorks and CAD drafting.
• For the drafter/illustrator role (level 2/3): demonstrated experience with SolidWorks and CorelDRAW, including the ability to develop illustrations directly from models.

• Active TS/SCI clearance (preferred and required for specific positions).
• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field (preferred).
• Experience with Siemens Teamcenter for managing products and CAD data.
• Experience driving design drawings and specifications to completion across the entire product development life cycle.
• Experience or knowledge related to design verification and verification reporting.
• Experience designing and modeling mechanical hardware interfaces, such as mounting bracketry.
• Experience with cable management and cable assembly requirements for RF and fiber optic applications.
• Experience with integrated electrical systems setup, testing, and issue resolution.
• Experience integrating mechanical and electrical instrumentation, including electrical checkout of sensors and data acquisition hardware.
• Knowledge of test design and execution in an engineering environment.
• Work experience in a government contracting environment.
• Experience with USAF or DoD radar systems.
• Experience utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) drafting assistants to generate 3D models from text prompts.
• Experience working with USAF Technical Orders.
• Experience working within AGILE, SCRUM, or DevOps frameworks.
• Interest in and aptitude for supporting deep space radar systems and related advanced technologies.

The role supports a deep space radar program designed to provide 24/7, all‑weather capabilities for detecting, tracking, identifying, and characterizing objects in deep space, including at geosynchronous earth orbit altitudes. The systems offer higher sensitivity, better accuracy, increased capacity, and more agile tracking than current radars, and they support tracking launches to geosynchronous orbit altitudes. The position follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing a structured yet flexible workweek. The work location is near the Colorado Springs Airport in the COCO‑1 building, with no on‑base work required. You will work in a professional engineering environment that uses modern 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, NX, and Creo, as well as PLM systems like Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, Enovia, or ARAS. The culture emphasizes collaboration, precision, and innovation, with opportunities to contribute to cutting‑edge radar and space‑related technologies while interacting with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $160000.00/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 Colorado Springs,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 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.