Design Assistant

Great Northern; Brooklyn Park (MD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Life insurance

PTO

Paid holidays

Profit sharing

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Great Northern seeks a Design Assistant to support structural designers in packaging/display concepts, fabricate samples, and write specs for cost estimates and production. You’ll work across projects using CAD and coordinate with prepress, sales, and production, while keeping the design room organized and learning Artios Software.

You will collaborate with teams, maintain attention to detail, and grow in a structured, tobacco‑free facility that values safety and sustainability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum two years CAD system design certificate or CAD design experience.

Responsibilities

• Complete structural projects on time and accurately.
• Collaborate with Structural Designer to create new package concepts using CAD.
• Coordinate design concepts and fabricate samples; interface with prepress for mockups.
• Document precise specifications for estimates and production.
• Develop fabrication drawings and assist on multi-project workload.
• Maintain design room organization and tool cleanliness.

Skills

CAD drafting

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High school diploma

CAD certificate / trade school

Tools

CAD System Design

Artios Software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Design Assistant

Why Great Northern

Established in 1962, Great Northern is a local, privately owned paper-based packaging manufacturer with a long history of providing secure, stable, and meaningful positions. You will experience a collaborative team-first, safe, clean, enjoyable, and predictable workplace where team members support and care for one another.

Our team members produce sustainable and eco-friendly products that are supplied to national brands that impact people's day-to-day lives.

Additionally, Great Northern is continually investing in upgrading or purchasing new, high-speed manufacturing equipment to maximize and increase capacity. Our employees have access to state-of-the-art technology and tools, enabling them to work more efficiently and effectively. These investments not only maximize our capacity and increase production but also create more opportunities for our employees to learn and grow their careers.

What We Can Offer You

In addition to excellent wages, Great Northern has a competitive benefits package including medical; dental; life insurance; Paid Time Off (PTO); paid holidays; profit sharing and 401(k) with company match.

We also offer our employees a safe, clean, friendly environment and room for growth! Are you looking for a career with an established and stable company?

Pay/Schedule

• $23 - $27/hour - dependent on experience/qualifications
• Monday – Friday: This is an onsite position

Position Summary

Under general supervision and following established procedures, the Design Assistant is responsible for assisting the structural designers in the development of package and display design concepts for customers. The Design Assistant will fabricate final samples of design concepts and write specifications for cost estimates and production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the Following. Other Duties May be Assigned.

1. Complete structural projects, as assigned, on‑time and accurately, demonstrating the ability to work independently and seek assistance from structural design staff as needed.
2. Work with Structural Designer to create new package design concepts by using CAD System Designs that meet customers’ needs and expectations in a timely and efficient manner.
3. Work with Structural Designer to coordinate design concepts and fabricate samples of design concepts; i.e. containers, interior packaging, and displays. This includes interfacing with the prepress team on creation of Mimaki artwork for mockups.
4. Work with Structural Designer on up to six to eight projects at one time.
5. Work with Structural Designer to document accurate and detailed specifications on completed design projects for estimating and production.
6. Work with Structural Designer to evaluate and analyze design packages based on performance requirements that are cost effective and meet the pre‑determined standards for customer service excellence.
7. Work with Structural Designer to develop fabrication assembly drawings of specific designs as requested.
8. Operating the CAD table.
9. Maintaining the daily cleanliness and organization of the design room and design room tools.
10. Management of inventory and replenishment for stock sheets and other supplies.
11. Dismantle and discard the displays after builds are completed by Structural Designers.
12. Assist on‑site at the mock store as needed.
13. Provide support to Digital Press and Zund teams as needed.
14. Review and inquire about previous samples with Sales and Customer Service on a regular basis.
15. Prepare the design room for tours and meetings as needed.
16. Interface daily with Sales, Customer Service and Production employees. Communicate effectively in meeting the needs of individuals with multiple personalities and different agendas.
17. Work with Structural Designer to learn and maintain an above average level of knowledge with Artios Software.
18. Participates in training and development programs as required for the position.
19. Performs a variety of miscellaneous job‑related tasks as may be assigned from time to time by a Management Representative.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Prefer a minimum of two years vocational/trade school CAD system design certificate or equivalent CAD design experience.
• A commitment to ethical business standards and personal integrity.
• Self‑motivation and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills in both oral and written format.
• Approachable and supportive when working with others.
• A demonstrated understanding of algebraic and geometric concepts.
• Ability to interpret drawings (customer specifications) and to understand a variety of basic corrugated container designs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, E‑mail, Publisher and Excel) spreadsheet applications. Knowledge of computer software such as CAD System Design.
• Exposure to a Sales, Manufacturing/Machine routing distribution environment preferred.
• Accuracy in work and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to define problems collects data, establish facts and draw conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Expectation

To be successful your teammates will depend on you to have pride in your work, be on time, work safely, work effectively with others, be optimistic, take ownership of your responsibilities, and look for continuous improvement opportunities.

We are a Tobacco free campus

Great Northern is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Great Northern is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.