CAD Designer - Mechanical

VantagePoint Alliance LLC; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VantagePoint Alliance LLC is seeking a Piping & Mechanical CAD Designer to deliver advanced 3D modeling and 2D drafting for industrial and energy projects. You will work with Mechanical and Electrical Engineers to develop piping layouts, equipment arrangements, and fabrication drawings that meet codes and client standards.

Ideal candidate has strong AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD P&ID, Navisworks skills, with experience in process systems and construction deliverables, plus mentoring junior staff and

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience designing and detailing piping and mechanical installations within industrial or process industries.
• Associate Degree in CAD Technology, Mechanical Design, or related discipline - or equivalent industry experience.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD P&ID, and Autodesk Navisworks Review (2010 or newer).
• Solid understanding of 3D modeling, process & instrumentation diagrams, and mechanical system design.
• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent technical field.

Responsibilities

• Develop complete 3D models and detailed 2D orthographic drawings for process piping, mechanical systems, and plant layouts.
• Translate conceptual designs and P&IDs into coordinated mechanical and piping layouts.
• Produce fabrication drawings for pipe spools, supports, skids, and equipment installations.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and construction teams to resolve design or installation issues.
• Participate in site visits to gather field data, perform "as-built" verifications, and incorporate updates into project drawings.
• Support sales and proposal efforts by providing initial design concepts and layouts for bids and tenders.
• Maintain and improve CAD standards, block libraries, and 3D component libraries to ensure design consistency.
• Train and mentor junior designers and apprentices, sharing expertise and maintaining quality standards.
• Ensure adherence to VPA and client policies related to Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality (HSEQ) management across all work.

Skills

Piping layouts

3D modeling

Detail-oriented

Mentoring

Team leadership

Education

Associate degree in CAD/Mechanical Design

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Plant 3D

AutoCAD P&ID

Navisworks

Autodesk Inventor

Revit

Job description

Position Overview

The Piping & Mechanical CAD Designer will provide advanced 3D modeling and 2D drafting support for industrial and energy-related projects. Working closely with Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, this role is responsible for developing high-quality piping layouts, equipment arrangements, and fabrication drawings that meet project requirements, industry codes, and client standards. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD P&ID, and Navisworks, with a strong understanding of process systems, equipment integration, and construction deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop complete 3D models and detailed 2D orthographic drawings for process piping, mechanical systems, and plant layouts.
• Translate conceptual designs and P&IDs into coordinated mechanical and piping layouts.
• Produce fabrication drawings for pipe spools, supports, skids, and equipment installations.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and construction teams to resolve design or installation issues.
• Participate in site visits to gather field data, perform "as-built" verifications, and incorporate updates into project drawings.
• Support sales and proposal efforts by providing initial design concepts and layouts for bids and tenders.
• Maintain and improve CAD standards, block libraries, and 3D component libraries to ensure design consistency.
• Train and mentor junior designers and apprentices, sharing expertise and maintaining quality standards.
• Ensure adherence to VPA and client policies related to Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality (HSEQ) management across all work.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Minimum 7 years of experience designing and detailing piping and mechanical installations within industrial or process industries.
• Associate Degree in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Technology, Mechanical Design, or related discipline - or equivalent industry experience.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD P&ID, and Autodesk Navisworks Review (2010 or newer).
• Solid understanding of 3D modeling, process & instrumentation diagrams, and mechanical system design.
• Strong command of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.) for documentation and data integration.
• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent technical field.
• Experience in EPC or power generation project environments.
• Certification through the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) or similar professional body.
• Experience using Autodesk Inventor or Revit for 3D modeling.

Core Competencies

• High attention to detail and commitment to quality in every deliverable.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills in deadline-driven project environments.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and spatial reasoning abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and communicate clearly with technical and field personnel.
• Adaptability to changing priorities, with resilience under pressure.
• Leadership mindset and willingness to mentor or guide less-experienced team members.