CAD Technical Lead

Leidos LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos LLC in Chicago (remote possible) seeks a CAD Technical Lead to oversee CAD standards, templates, and workflows across projects. You will install, configure CAD software, manage libraries, and mentor junior staff.

The role emphasizes drawing management, collaboration with IT and design teams, and maintaining quality control of deliverables, with 5-7 years CAD leadership and an associate degree required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible CAD technical lead or lead support experience.
• Associate degree in CAD, drafting, engineering technology, or related field preferred.
• Experience supporting substations, utilities, or infrastructure design strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with CAD software and related drafting tools used in technical design environments.
• Strong drafting standards, design documentation practices, and quality control procedures.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain CAD workspaces, templates, and project standards.
• Install, configure, and update CAD software and related applications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve CAD system issues.
• Manage CAD blocks, 3D models, and libraries.
• Develop technical guides for client standards and workspace setup across projects.

Skills

CAD leadership

Team mentoring

Project standards

Attention to detail

Education

Associate degree in CAD/Engineering tech

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

We are looking for a skilled and experienced CAD Technical Lead to work out of our Chicago office or remotely. In this role, you will support engineering and design teams by managing CAD standards, software, workspaces, and technical workflows to ensure efficient and accurate project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain CAD workspaces, templates, and project standards.
• Install, configure, and update CAD software and related applications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to CAD systems, files, and hardware.
• Manage CAD blocks, 3D models & CAD libraries.
• Develop and maintain technical guides for client standards, workspace configuration, tool installation, and related setup procedures across projects and disciplines.
• Maintain file organization, plotting standards, and drawing management procedures.
• Support designers and engineers with CAD best practices and workflow improvements.
• Collaborate with IT and project teams to improve system performance and productivity.
• Develop and document CAD processes, procedures, and training materials.
• Assist with software licensing, version control, and implementation of new tools.
• Review and optimize drawing setup, sheet standards, and file structure as needed.
• Monitor CAD system usage and recommend improvements to increase team efficiency.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Computer-Aided Design, Drafting, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible CAD technical lead experience, or lead support responsibilities.
• Experience supporting substation, utility, or infrastructure design projects strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with CAD software and related drafting tools used in technical design environments.
• Strong understanding of drafting standards, design documentation practices, and quality control procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead CAD production efforts, coordinate work across project teams and support schedule and deliverable management.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across engineering, design, and project management teams.
• Ability to mentor and support junior CAD staff and promote consistent drafting standards and best practices.
• Equivalent combinations of education and related experience will also be considered, including experience in CAD drafting, CAD leadership, substation or utility design, infrastructure projects, or closely related technical design support work.

PDSSUBSTAION PowerDelivery If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: October 9, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $59,150.00 - $106,925.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

• Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.

More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.