Cad Designer

Actalent; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Onsite onsite

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a senior CAD Designer to lead the CAD and PDM ecosystem for an autonomous vehicle development program in Costa Mesa, CA. You will own the vehicle master model, top-level assembly structure, CAD standards, release processes, and data-management workflows across mechanical engineering teams.

The role requires 7+ years of CAD experience with NX/SolidWorks/Creo/CATIA, strong GD&T, and hands-on PDM/PLM expertise.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of CAD design experience supporting physical hardware development.
• Expert-level proficiency with NX, SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or similar enterprise CAD platforms (NX strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing master-model or assembly architecture for complex products.
• Extensive experience with engineering drawing creation, review, release, and document control processes.
• Strong command of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Hands-on experience with PDM/PLM systems and configuration management workflows.
• Experience managing permissions, release states, workflow creation, and revision control.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, assemblies, manufacturing methods, and product development processes.
• Proven ability to manage and optimize large CAD assemblies and complex product structures.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the vehicle master model and top-level assembly structure for a highly complex hardware platform.
• Establish and enforce CAD standards, modeling conventions, and design best practices across the engineering organization.
• Lead drawing creation, review, release, and revision control processes to ensure high-quality engineering documentation.
• Administer and optimize PDM/PLM workflows, permissions, release states, and configuration controls.
• Architect and maintain assembly structures, configuration schemes, and release strategies for a clean-sheet vehicle program.
• Support engineering change orders (ECOs), product configurations, and design baseline management.
• Develop and maintain technical data packages including 3D models, drawings, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor and improve large assembly performance, CAD system health, and overall design-data integrity.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Mechanical, Structural, Systems, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Configuration Management teams.
• Mentor engineers and designers on CAD standards, GD&T, model-based definition practices, and release processes.
• Support CAD/PDM migration initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Drive implementation of Model-Based Definition (MBD) methodologies and standards such as ASME Y14.41.

Skills

CAD design

master-model

assembly architecture

GD&T

PDM/PLM

CAD administration

change management

large assemblies

Tools

Teamcenter

Windchill

SolidWorks PDM

NX

Creo

CATIA

Job description

CAD DesignerJoin a Mission-Driven Technology Company Building the Future of Autonomous Defense Systems

Are you an expert in CAD architecture, product data management, and complex assembly design? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where you're building systems from the ground up rather than maintaining legacy processes? If so, we want to hear from you.

Our client is a pioneering defense technology company that develops advanced autonomous systems, software-defined platforms, and next-generation capabilities that support national security missions. Their team combines cutting-edge engineering, rapid innovation, and a startup mentality to deliver transformative solutions at unprecedented speed. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a clean-sheet vehicle program while working alongside some of the industry's top engineering talent.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled CAD Designer to lead the CAD and PDM ecosystem for a next-generation vehicle development program. This individual will own the vehicle master model, top-level assembly architecture, CAD standards, release processes, and product data management workflows that support the entire mechanical engineering organization.

This is a strategic and hands-on role requiring deep expertise in CAD administration, configuration management, drawing release processes, and large assembly management. The successful candidate will serve as the technical authority for CAD and PDM best practices while partnering closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the vehicle master model and top-level assembly structure for a highly complex hardware platform.

• Establish and enforce CAD standards, modeling conventions, and design best practices across the engineering organization.

• Lead drawing creation, review, release, and revision control processes to ensure high-quality engineering documentation.

• Administer and optimize PDM/PLM workflows, permissions, release states, and configuration controls.

• Architect and maintain assembly structures, configuration schemes, and release strategies for a clean-sheet vehicle program.

• Support engineering change orders (ECOs), product configurations, and design baseline management.

• Develop and maintain technical data packages including 3D models, drawings, and supporting documentation.

• Monitor and improve large assembly performance, CAD system health, and overall design-data integrity.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Mechanical, Structural, Systems, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Configuration Management teams.

• Mentor engineers and designers on CAD standards, GD&T, model-based definition practices, and release processes.

• Support CAD/PDM migration initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.

• Drive implementation of Model-Based Definition (MBD) methodologies and standards such as ASME Y14.41.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of CAD design experience supporting physical hardware development.

• Expert-level proficiency with NX, SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or similar enterprise CAD platforms (NX strongly preferred).

• Demonstrated experience developing and managing master-model or assembly architecture for complex products.

• Extensive experience with engineering drawing creation, review, release, and document control processes.

• Strong command of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).

• Hands-on experience with PDM/PLM systems and configuration management workflows.

• Experience managing permissions, release states, workflow creation, and revision control.

• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, assemblies, manufacturing methods, and product development processes.

• Proven ability to manage and optimize large CAD assemblies and complex product structures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience establishing CAD and PDM standards for a new product or vehicle program.

• Expertise with Teamcenter, Windchill, SolidWorks PDM, or comparable PLM environments.

• Familiarity with Model-Based Definition (MBD) and ASME Y14.41 standards.

• Experience supporting multi-CAD environments and system migration projects.

• Background in aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, marine, shipbuilding, or other highly engineered hardware industries.

• Knowledge of configuration management, technical data packages, and product lifecycle governance.

• Experience with NX, Creo Parametric, CATIA V5, and enterprise-scale CAD infrastructure.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique?

• Play a foundational role on a clean-sheet vehicle development program.

• Own the CAD and PDM architecture that drives product development across the organization.

• Work directly with elite engineering teams developing next-generation autonomous technologies.

• Influence standards, processes, and best practices that will scale across future programs.

• Join a rapidly growing organization where innovation, speed, and technical excellence are valued and rewarded.

If you're passionate about engineering excellence, CAD architecture, and building world-class product development systems, we'd love to connect with you. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on groundbreaking technology programs while advancing your career at the forefront of defense innovation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $85.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Costa Mesa,CA.

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 [e-mail] 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.