BIM/CAD Designer

Freese and Nichols, Inc.; San Antonio (TX); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Hybrid schedule (up to 40% remote)

Company cabins/retreats

Job summary

Freese and Nichols, Inc. seeks a BIM/CAD Designer for our San Antonio, TX office to design linear utilities, pump stations, and water/wastewater infrastructure. You will lead CAD coordination, maintain standards, and mentor junior staff.

The role emphasizes collaboration with engineers and design teams, applying Civil 3D and AutoCAD skills to deliver high-quality drawings while advancing company practices and technology adoption.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in engineering design and BIM/CAD support.
• Advanced expertise in Autodesk Civil 3D including alignments and pipe networks.
• Ability to learn, adapt, and solve problems to produce quality deliverables.
• Ability to work with all levels of personnel.
• High School diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Understands project requirements and delivers BIM/CAD outputs aligned with engineers.
• Provides conceptual input during planning and identifies areas for quality improvements.
• Prepares detailed drawings and layouts applying engineering concepts.
• Performs design tasks with minimal direction.
• Coordinates with design teams and stakeholders to ensure project scope and schedule.
• Ensures deliverables meet FNI standards and conducts BIM/CAD QA/QC.

Skills

BIM/CAD design

Autodesk Civil 3D

Project coordination

Mentoring teammates

Education

Associate Degree in BIM/CAD

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

MicroStation

GIS Shapefiles

Job description

Freese and Nichols is seeking a BIM/CAD Designer to join our San Antonio, TX office. This position will focus on the design of linear utilities, pump stations, and treatment plants for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Primary responsibilities

• Understands project requirements, scope, and deliverables, making informed decisions trusted by engineers.
• Provides conceptual input during project planning and identify areas for quality improvements.
• Prepares detailed drawings and layouts, applying theoretical and practical engineering knowledge.
• Performs design tasks requiring fundamental engineering concepts with minimal direction.
• Coordinates with design teams, stakeholders, and other disciplines to ensure seamless project execution.
• Ensures deliverables meet professional and FNI standards, performing BIM/CAD quality control and continuous improvement.
• Utilizes company CAD standards, maintains drawing files, and supports best practices.
• Acts as a liaison between CAD Managers and users, assisting in implementing company policies and new technologies.
• Participates in hiring processes, training, and mentoring team members.
• Focuses on self-development, efficiency, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

CAD Team Leadership and Management

• Manages CAD team workload by reviewing project priorities, coordinating assignments, balancing resources, and communicating capacity and schedule needs with project teams.
• Manages direct reports through regular communication, workload planning, coaching, performance feedback, professional development, and support for individual and team goals.
• Maintains and updates FNI CAD details and related standards to reflect current practices, improve consistency, and support efficient, high-quality project delivery.

Qualifications

8+ years' experience with a broad base in engineering design and technical support of engineering utilizing BIM/CAD software.

Advanced expertise in Autodesk Civil 3D including experience with alignments, pressure pipe networks, gravity pipe networks, surfaces, and data management.

Proven ability to learn, adapt, and problem solve to produce accurate and quality deliverables.

Ability to work with all levels of personnel.

High School diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

Associate Degree in BIM/CAD or Design/Drafting Technology.

10+ years' experience in Autodesk Civil3D, including design of pipelines.

Experience translating design/data files between multiple platforms, including GIS Shapefiles, AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Revit and MicroStation.

About Freese and Nichols

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values. We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service. For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

Besides our comprehensive benefits package (see more at Benefits That Work for You), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico and Banner Elk, North Carolina. We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work. Join our team of 1,400+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

#LI-Hybrid

Freese and Nichols is a professional planning, consulting and engineering firm serving clients across the United States. With client service and continuous improvement in mind, we plan, design and manage sustainable water and infrastructure projects.