3D CAD Designer - 21331

somewhere; United States; Remote; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

somewhere is seeking a mechanically minded 3D CAD Designer to partner directly with the founder. You will translate a clear product vision into accurate, editable 3D models, assemblies, and production-ready drawings.

Expect close weekly sessions with the founder and access to in-house engineering support for guidance and rapid iteration. You will contribute to design optimization, manufacturing prep, and iterative design, while expanding your skills across plastics, cameras, and embedded sensors

Qualifications

• Strong mid-level skills using 3D mechanical CAD software (SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360, or similar) with an eye for physical part design.
• Familiarity with SLA/SLS printing, sheet metal fabrication, or CNC machining and a desire to learn.
• Ability to perform simple drafting tasks in AutoCAD.

Responsibilities

• Create and iterate brackets, mounts, covers, adapters, and custom enclosures based on rough sketches and live feedback.
• Work out mounting arrangements, select hardware/fasteners, define clearances, and resolve packaging constraints.
• Generate organized CAD files, assembly drawings, and export formats for SLA/SLS printing, sheet metal bending, and CNC machining.
• Identify potential interference or manufacturing flaws and propose improvements.
• Update and refine models rapidly based on prototype testing and engineering feedback.

Skills

Mechanical CAD Proficiency

Engaged Collaboration

Open to AI & Learning

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

Fusion 360

AutoCAD

Job description

Mechanical 3D CAD Designer — Product Development

Location:Remote – South Africa or Philippines
Employment Type:Full-Time (8am - 5 pm EST)
Industry:Manufacuring
Reports To:Founder / Executive Leadership

We design and manufacture high-reliability custom hardware for banking and security applications, including camera mounts, protective housings, custom brackets, retrofit kits, and specialized physical components. We manufacture using SLA and SLS 3D printing, sheet-metal fabrication, and CNC machining, with an active product roadmap combining mechanical design, plastics, cameras, and embedded sensors.

Role Overview

We are urgently seeking a mechanically minded 3D CAD Designer to partner directly with our founder.

Our founder currently dedicates ~40 hours a week to CAD and maintains a clear vision for upcoming product builds. Your primary mission is to translate that vision into accurate, fully editable 3D models, complex assemblies, and production-ready technical drawings. You will handle routine mechanical details, solve fit issues, and serve as our core CAD specialist for initial model creation, rapid revisions, and simple layout tasks—supported directly by leadership on complex mechanical challenges.

This position offers an extraordinary mentorship environment: our founder commits 10 hours per week to dedicated, hands‑on working sessions to review designs, share trade secrets, and walk through manufacturing strategies with you.

Key Responsibilities

• CAD Modeling & Design: Create and iterate brackets, mounts, covers, adapters, and custom enclosures based on rough sketches, reference components, dimensions, and live feedback.

• Assembly & Detail Resolution: Work out practical mounting arrangements, select appropriate hardware/fasteners, define functional clearances, and resolve spatial packaging constraints.

• Manufacturing Preparation: Generate organized CAD files, assembly drawings, and export formats optimized for SLA/SLS 3D printing, sheet-metal bending, and CNC machining.

• Design Optimization: Identify potential interference or manufacturing flaws early; propose clean, sensible mechanical improvements.

• Iterative Design: Update and refine models rapidly based on prototype testing and engineering feedback.

What We Are Looking For

• Mechanical CAD Proficiency: Strong mid-level skills using 3D mechanical CAD software (SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360, or similar) with an eye for physical part design.

• Practical Manufacturing Awareness: Exposure to or familiarity with SLA/SLS printing, sheet metal fabrication, or CNC machining. A strong desire to learn what you don't already know is required.

• AutoCAD Familiarity: Ability to comfortably handle simple tasks and drafting work in AutoCAD.

• Engaged Collaboration: You thrive in direct working environments, ask thoughtful questions, welcome constructive feedback, and work self‑sufficiently between collaborative sessions.

• Openness to AI & Continuous Learning: Willingness to integrate AI tools into your daily workflow for research, documentation, problem‑solving, and process automation (while maintaining attention to detail and verifying AI outputs).

Dedicated Mentorship & Culture

• 10 Hours/Week Direct Founder Time: Scheduled, non‑negotiable sessions with the founder covering product intent, design strategy, and real‑time problem solving.

• Interdisciplinary Support: Direct access to our in‑house plastics specialist and mechanical engineering support team who are passionate about sharing knowledge.

• Growth Environment: We treat CAD design as a dynamic practice where curiosity, continuous skill development, and open communication are rewarded.