2D Mechanical Drafter / Engineer – Custom Industrial Equipment

The Keystone Distinction Group; Town of Richfield (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Keystone Distinction Group in Wisconsin is seeking a 2D Mechanical Drafter / Engineer to design custom industrial equipment using AutoCAD. This 100% onsite role focuses on accurate drafting for thermal and environmental systems, with close collaboration with shop floor fabricators.

Ideal candidates hold a BSME or related degree, have 3+ years of 2D AutoCAD experience in manufacturing, and reside within a 45-minute commute of Washington County, WI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or related four-year engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of 2D AutoCAD drafting experience in an active manufacturing environment.
• Experience with heavy industrial equipment, ductwork, piping, heat transfer, or fluid dynamics is a plus.
• Design-for-Manufacturability mindset considering weld access, tolerances, and assembly efficiency.
• Proven stable work history with reliability and craftsmanship.
• Residence within a 45-minute commute of Washington County, WI.

Responsibilities

• Draft and design custom industrial equipment using 2D AutoCAD for client orders.
• Create fabrication layouts, structural schematics, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with shop floor supervisors, welders, and machinists on design specs.
• Develop supporting 3D renderings as needed for reviews and spatial constraints.
• Manage diverse design scopes across product lines ensuring performance requirements.
• Review legacy drawings to improve materials yield and cycle times.

Skills

AutoCAD drafting

Shop floor collaboration

Attention to detail

US work authorization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

2D Mechanical Drafter / Engineer - Custom Industrial Equipment

$55,000 - $75,000 Base Salary Washington County / Greater Milwaukee Area Direct-Hire

• Pay & Incentives: $55,000 - $75,000 base salary + full corporate benefits package; join a premier manufacturer with a legendary 40-year history of zero layoffs and a clear succession path to Lead Engineer.
• Work Pattern/Schedule: Standard daytime hours, 100% onsite in a clean, modern facility with a low-stress, drama-free culture.
• Environment & Company Profile: Financially rock-solid manufacturer of sustainable industrial thermal and environmental systems featuring direct collaboration with shop floor fabricators and a 40-year stability track record.
• Core Functional Scope: Advanced 2D AutoCAD drafting for structural layouts, custom industrial equipment, thermal systems, ductwork, piping, and detailed Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Strict Requirements & Authorization: Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), 3+ years of 2D AutoCAD manufacturing experience, US work authorization, and a 45-minute daily commute to Washington County, WI.

If you thrive on the precision of 2D drafting and want to step into a secure, low-stress engineering environment, this direct-hire seat provides an exceptional career home. The employer is a financially rock-solid, premier manufacturer of sustainable industrial thermal and environmental systems that help global clients lower energy costs and reduce environmental impact. Backed by a 40-year history of zero layoffs, they offer a stable, family-friendly, and drama-free workplace focused on practical craftsmanship and long-term retention.

You will work in a clean, modern facility alongside a tight-knit team where technical autonomy is respected. Instead of endless corporate meetings and red tape, you will have genuine ownership over custom manufacturing orders - collaborating directly with shop floor fabricators and welders to see your drawings built into physical steel. Supported by an organic succession plan, this position provides a clear, transparent path toward a Lead Engineering role as the company continues to expand.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Design Custom Industrial Equipment: Draft and design specialized industrial thermal systems and environmental control equipment using 2D AutoCAD for custom client orders.
• Generate Fabrication Packages: Produce comprehensive fabrication layouts, structural assembly schematics, and precise Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Partner with Shop Fabricators: Collaborate directly with shop floor supervisors, welders, and machinists to verify that design specifications align with internal plant capabilities.
• Develop Supporting 3D Renderings: Build auxiliary 3D AutoCAD models or geometric renderings as needed to support customer design reviews and project spatial constraints.
• Manage Project Lifecycles: Own diverse design scopes across core product lines, ensuring all structural, thermal, and mechanical performance requirements are satisfied.
• Refine Legacy Designs: Review and update historical drawing archives to improve material yield, enhance field service access, and shorten manufacturing cycle times.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Education Foundation: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or related four-year engineering discipline.
• 2D AutoCAD Expertise: 3+ years of fast, accurate, and self-directed drafting experience utilizing 2D AutoCAD inside an active manufacturing plant.
• Mechanical Systems Exposure: Practical design background involving heavy industrial equipment, sheet metal fabrication, ductwork, piping networks, heat transfer, or fluid dynamics.
• Design-for-Manufacturability Mindset: Practical engineering approach that considers welder access, shop tolerances, and real-world assembly efficiency.
• Proven Professional Stability: Reliable work history demonstrating career longevity, quality craftsmanship, and dependable performance.
• Local Commute Access: Established residency within a comfortable 45-minute daily driving radius of Washington County / Greater Milwaukee.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Thermal / HVAC Experience: Specific exposure to industrial burners, heat exchangers, air handling systems, or thermal processing equipment.
• Pressure Vessel / Ductwork Code: Familiarity with structural steel framing norms, SMACNA duct standards, or industrial pressure piping layouts.
• 3D SolidWorks Proficiency: Secondary experience in 3D CAD platforms (SolidWorks or Inventor) for complex assembly modeling.