CAD Designer / Estimator

Excalibur Research Development & Manufacturing; Cedar Park, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Excalibur Research Development & Manufacturing LLC is seeking a dependable CAD Designer / Estimator to join our manufacturing team. This hands‑on role covers taking a job from inquiry and quoting through CAD preparation and release to production.

The ideal candidate has CAD experience and a solid understanding of sheet‑metal fabrication, with responsibilities spanning drawing creation, quote preparation, and ensuring production has the necessary drawings and information to manufacture accurately.

Qualifications

• Experience creating manufacturing drawings and production‑ready DXF files.
• Strong understanding of sheet‑metal manufacturing processes and fabrication.
• Ability to read and interpret customer drawings and specifications.
• Experience with CAD software and associated file formats.

Responsibilities

• Create and modify 2D and 3D CAD drawings for sheet-metal parts and assemblies.
• Prepare production-ready DXF files for laser cutting.
• Create flat patterns and formed-part drawings.
• Prepare drawings for laser cutting, press brake forming, welding, hardware insertion, and assembly.
• Review customer drawings, CAD files, PDFs, and specifications.
• Convert customer sketches or PDFs into usable manufacturing drawings.
• Apply dimensions, tolerances, bend locations, hole locations, material thicknesses, and details.
• Make drawing revisions based on requirements from customers or production.
• Identify potential manufacturing issues before production.
• Review RFQs, drawings, and specifications to determine job requirements.
• Assist with calculating material requirements and manufacturing processes.
• Prepare and send customer quotes.

Skills

CAD Design

Sheet-metal fabrication

2D/3D CAD drawings

DXF filing

Quoting/estimating

ERP experience

Customer communication

Attention to detail

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

AutoCAD

Rhino

Inventor

Job description

Excalibur Research Development & Manufacturing LLC is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented CAD Designer / Estimator to join our manufacturing team.

This is a hands‑on office and production-support position for someone who can help take a job from the customer inquiry and quoting stage through CAD preparation and release to the production floor.

The ideal candidate will have experience with CAD and a good understanding of sheet‑metal manufacturing. In addition to creating and modifying drawings, this person will assist with preparing quotes, reviewing customer files, entering job information, and making sure production has the drawings and information needed to manufacture the job correctly.

RESPONSIBILITIES

CAD & Design

• Create and modify 2D and 3D CAD drawings for sheet‑metal parts and assemblies
• Prepare production‑ready DXF files for laser cutting
• Create flat patterns and formed‑part drawings
• Prepare drawings for laser cutting, press brake forming, welding, hardware insertion, and assembly
• Review customer drawings, CAD files, PDFs, and specifications
• Convert customer sketches, PDFs, or concepts into usable manufacturing drawings when needed
• Apply appropriate dimensions, tolerances, bend locations, hole locations, material thicknesses, and manufacturing details
• Make drawing revisions based on customer or production requirements
• Identify potential manufacturing issues before a job reaches the production floor
• Review customer RFQs, drawings, and specifications to determine job requirements
• Assist with calculating material requirements and manufacturing processes
• Prepare and send customer quotes
• Request additional information from customers when drawings or specifications are incomplete
• Follow up on outstanding quotes when appropriate
• Make quote revisions when quantities, materials, designs, or specifications change
• Work with management and operations to determine pricing, lead times, and production requirements

Production & Job Support

• Help move approved jobs from quoting into production
• Enter and maintain accurate job and production information in our ERP system
• Prepare job documentation and production drawings
• Create or assist with BOMs, routers, and other production information
• Ensure the correct drawings, revisions, quantities, materials, and specifications are released to the shop
• Work alongside the Operations Coordinator to help get jobs scheduled and out to the production floor
• Communicate with laser, press brake, welding, and assembly personnel when questions arise
• Make drawing or job‑documentation corrections when production identifies an issue
• Help track jobs and keep work moving through the manufacturing process
• Maintain organized customer, quote, drawing, and revision records

What We're Looking For

• Experience in sheet‑metal fabrication or a manufacturing environment strongly preferred
• Understanding of laser cutting, press brake forming, welding, and general fabrication processes
• Experience creating manufacturing drawings and production‑ready DXF files
• Understanding of dimensions, tolerances, material thicknesses, bend allowances, and flat patterns
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Rhino, Inventor, or similar
• Comfortable working with ERP, estimating, or manufacturing software
• Ability to read and interpret customer drawings and specifications
• Comfortable communicating with customers regarding quotes, drawings, and job requirements
• Strong computer and organizational skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple quotes and active jobs at the same time
• Good communication and problem‑solving skills

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is dependable, shows up consistently, stays productive throughout the workday, takes ownership of their responsibilities, and follows jobs through rather than allowing things to fall through the cracks.

This is a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. The right person will be comfortable moving between CAD work, quoting, customer communication, and production support throughout the day.

Preferred Experience

Experience with any of the following is a strong advantage:

• Sheet‑metal fabrication
• Laser cutting
• Press brake forming
• Welded assemblies
• Design for manufacturing (DFM)
• DXF preparation and cleanup
• BOM creation
• ERP or MRP systems
• Production scheduling or job routing
• Working directly with a fabrication shop or production floor