CAD Drafter/Designer – 1099 Contract – US

Very; Chattanooga (TN); Remote; USD 192,864,000 - 234,192,000; Full time

Job summary

Very is a fully distributed technology firm inviting a CAD Drafter/Designer to turn engineering concepts into precise, production‑ready designs. You’ll work primarily with AutoDesk Inventor, modeling steel sheet metal components and large assemblies for industrial clients and factory equipment.

You’ll partner with mechanical engineers, fabricators, and clients to ensure every drawing is accurate, buildable, and ready for fabrication, with BOMs and revision control maintained meticulously.

Qualifications

• Create 3D models, assemblies, and fabrication drawings in AutoDesk Inventor for steel sheet metal parts and structures
• Design and detail large‑scale mechanical assemblies for factory equipment
• Collaborate with engineers to convert concept designs into production‑ready drawings
• Ensure designs are accurate and manufacturable before release
• Prepare and maintain BOMs and drawing documentation
• Coordinate with fabrication and shop teams to resolve design questions during production
• Maintain organized CAD files and revision records
• Support design reviews and incorporate feedback from engineering, manufacturing, and clients

Responsibilities

• Produce precise CAD designs for sheet metal and assemblies
• Ensure manufacturability of drawings
• Collaborate with engineers and fabricators
• Maintain BOMs and drawings
• Support design reviews and revisions

Skills

Client Obsessed

Clear Communicator

Quality-Driven

Ownership Mindset

Problem Solver

Education

Associate's degree or technical certificate in drafting, mechanical design, or related field

Tools

AutoDesk Inventor

Job description

About Very (Remote – US)

Very is a fully distributed technology firm led by expert problem-solvers who create efficient, scalable solutions that move commercial, industrial, and consumer products from pilot to production in record time.

We believe that real innovation happens in the grind, working shoulder to shoulder with clients who are building the future. Our team thrives on that energy. When we’re not helping clients deliver business-critical outcomes, we’re refining our craft and celebrating what it means to do hard things well.

We’ve built a collaborative, tight-knit culture that thrives in both remote and in-person settings. We’ve won numerous workplace awards over the years, including Great Place to Work certification and recognition from Parity.org as a Best Company for Women to Advance.

Our clients include well-known brands like Vizio, Peloton, Clear, iHeart Radio, and Fellowes — all determined to leverage connected devices and AI to drive meaningful impact. Our job is simple: help them win.

About This Role

As a CAD Drafter / Designer at Very, you’ll turn engineering concepts into precise, production-ready designs for the physical systems our clients depend on. Working primarily in AutoDesk Inventor, you’ll model and detail steel sheet metal components and large-scale mechanical assemblies — the kind that show up on factory floors and inside industrial machinery — and help our clients move from concept to fabrication with confidence.

You’ll partner closely with mechanical engineers, fabricators, and clients to make sure every drawing is not just accurate, but buildable. If you enjoy the craft of clean, manufacturable CAD work and want to see your designs become real, physical equipment, we’d love to talk.

What You’ll Be Working On

For this role we’re looking for a drafter/designer with hands‑on AutoDesk Inventor experience and a background in steel sheet metal design.

Must have:

• AutoDesk Inventor
• Steel sheet metal design
• Large-scale assembly design for factories or machinery

Experience Minimum Qualifications

• Create 3D models, assemblies, and fabrication drawings in AutoDesk Inventor for steel sheet metal parts and structures
• Design and detail large-scale mechanical assemblies for equipment such as factory machinery
• Collaborate with engineers to convert concept designs into production-ready drawings
• Ensure designs are accurate and manufacturable before release
• Prepare and maintain bills of materials (BOMs) and drawing documentation
• Coordinate with fabrication and shop teams to resolve design questions during production
• Maintain organized CAD files and revision records
• Support design reviews and incorporate feedback from engineering, manufacturing, and clients

Outcomes

• Delivery of mechanical drawings and models that meet the time, budget, and manufacturability needs of Very's clients
• Accurate, fabrication-ready drawing packages that require minimal rework on the shop floor
• Successful design and detailing of large-scale assemblies from concept through release
• Project team adherence to Very's standard of best practices across engineering disciplines

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree or technical certificate in drafting, mechanical design, or a related field (or equivalent hands‑on experience)
• 3-5 years of relevant experience as a CAD drafter or designer in a manufacturing, industrial, or mechanical design environment

Skills

In addition to experience, these are the critical skills we look for in all technical roles, and how they should be demonstrated at the Senior level.

• Client Obsessed: Keeps the client’s success front and center. Measures technical choices by their business impact
• Clear Communicator: Collaborates effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Quality-Driven: Holds themselves to high standards for code quality and reliability
• Ownership Mindset: Takes responsibility for delivering solutions that work in real-world conditions
• Problem Solver: Thrive in complexity and find solutions even when requirements are evolving

Compensation & Contract Details

Hourly rate: $70/hr USD

Expect 40 hours per week

This role requires availability during core client business hours, Monday – Friday, 9-5 ET.

Contract Type

1099 Independent Contractor

Availability & Meeting Participation

This role requires availability during core client business hours 9-5 ET. The contractor must be available to join and actively participate in client calls, internal team meetings, and daily standups as scheduled.

Location

You must be located within the contiguous US and have a valid work authorization

Requirements

Must have access to your own computer/device, design software, and a reliable internet connection.

Why Work for Very

We do not promise an easy ride — we promise meaningful work.

We work hard because our clients’ success depends on it, and we take pride in delivering when others can’t. We collaborate closely, move fast, and stay grounded in results. We take joy in the process — in the problem-solving, the iteration, and the shared wins that come from doing the hard things well.

If you’re looking for a place where every project matters, where the standards are high, and where you’ll grow by pushing yourself and others — welcome to Very.

Interviewing for a new company is a serious time commitment for all parties involved. Please take the time to read this and thoughtfully consider if we would be a good fit for one another. No agencies. Seriously.

• Note: To qualify for this role, you must reside within the region posted