Drafter / CAD Technician

Job Description

Here is the enriched job description:

Job Title: Drafter / Technical Support Specialist

Position Purpose

The Drafter / Technical Support Specialist plays a critical role in the engineering team, primarily responsible for providing comprehensive drafting and technical support to an assigned application engineer. This involves translating conceptual designs and specifications into precise, detailed technical drawings and documentation essential for manufacturing, customer approval, and product development. The position ensures that all visual and technical information is accurate, adheres to industry standards, and effectively communicates design intent.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare Customer Approval Drawings for Custom Orders (SMOs):
  Generate accurate and clear technical drawings for Special/Modified Orders (SMOs) that require customer approval. These drawings serve as critical communication tools, ensuring customers understand and formally approve the unique design specifications and features of their custom products before manufacturing commences. This requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to specified customer requirements.
• Complete Fabrication and Assembly Drawings from Product Designers:
  Transform conceptual designs provided by Product Designers into fully detailed fabrication and assembly drawings. This includes creating various views (e.g., orthographic, isometric), adding precise dimensions, tolerances, material specifications, finishing requirements, and developing Bills of Materials (BOMs). These drawings are crucial for manufacturing processes, guiding production, assembly, and quality control.
• Maintain Profile Layers on Custom Part Drawings:
  Actively manage and maintain the integrity of profile layers within custom part drawings using CAD software. This involves organizing drawing elements, ensuring proper layer usage for different components and annotations, and upholding established drafting standards. Effective layer management is vital for drawing clarity, efficient revision control, and facilitating future modifications or analyses.

Position Requirements

• Education & Training:
  A successful candidate will possess a high school diploma or equivalent work experience. Technical school training in drafting, CAD design, or a related engineering discipline is highly preferred, as it provides a strong foundation in drafting principles, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and industry best practices.
• Technical Proficiency:
  Must be proficient in SolidWorks, demonstrating the ability to create complex parts, assemblies, and detailed engineering drawings effectively. Strong familiarity with personal computers and a working background with Windows operating systems are also required for navigating software and managing files.
• Experience:
  Prior drafting experience is highly beneficial, as it indicates practical application of skills, familiarity with engineering workflows, and the ability to solve common drafting challenges. Experience in a manufacturing or product development environment is a plus.
• Communication & Teamwork:
  Possess excellent written and oral communication skills to effectively collaborate with engineers, designers, customers, and production staff, document changes, and explain technical details. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment is essential, requiring adaptability and strong interpersonal skills.
• Certification:
  Must demonstrate the ability to successfully pass the SolidWorks Certified Associate (CSWA) examination, validating a foundational level of proficiency and understanding of SolidWorks software.

Physical/Mental Requirements Needed to Perform the Essential Functions of the Position

• Mobility & Dexterity:
  Ability to perform normal standing, bending, walking, and light lifting (e.g., up to 25 lbs) within an office and engineering lab environment.
• Sustained Focus:
  Must be able to sit comfortably and work at a CAD workstation for several hours at a time, requiring sustained mental concentration and attention to detail for drafting and design tasks.
• Hands-on Work:
  Capable of performing light assembly work occasionally in the engineering lab, which may involve handling small components, using basic hand tools, and assisting with prototype development or testing.