CAD Designer & Fabrication Engineer for Exhaust Components

Kooks; Statesville (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kooks Headers & Exhaust is seeking a skilled CAD Designer with hands‑on fabrication experience to join our Engineering and Manufacturing team in North Carolina. You will develop 3D models, production drawings, assemblies, fixtures, and manufacturing documentation for high‑performance exhaust components.

The ideal candidate combines strong CAD skills with practical fabrication knowledge, understanding how parts will be cut, bent, welded, fixtured, and manufactured on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• Experience with 3D CAD design and mechanical drafting.
• Hands‑on metal fabrication experience and welding knowledge.
• Ability to design for manufacturability and production.
• Familiarity with sheet metal and tubular components.
• Proficiency in using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and related tools.
• Knowledge of GD&T and production tolerance requirements is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create and modify 3D CAD models, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
• Design exhaust components, brackets, fixtures, and related fabrications.
• Develop manufacturable designs with cost and production efficiency in mind.
• Prepare weld details, material specs, tolerances, and production docs.
• Design and develop welding and assembly fixtures.
• Collaborate with fabricators, welders, laser operators, and tube bending staff.
• Prototype, test fitment, and revise designs from feedback.
• Maintain CAD files, revisions, BOMs, and engineering documentation.
• Support design reviews and transition from prototype to production.

Skills

3D CAD

Mechanical drafting

Fabrication

MIG welding

TIG welding

Tube fabrication

Sheet metal

Reverse engineering

Measurement tools

Tools

SolidWorks

CNC laser cutting

Tube bending

CMM / inspection software

Job description

Kooks Headers & Exhaust is seeking a skilled CAD Designer with hands‑on fabrication experience to join our Engineering and Manufacturing team in North Carolina. You will develop 3D models, production drawings, assemblies, fixtures, and manufacturing documentation for high‑performance exhaust components.

The ideal candidate combines strong CAD skills with practical fabrication knowledge, understanding how parts will be cut, bent, welded, fixtured, and manufactured on the shop floor.