Design Drafter

Actalent; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a detail-oriented Mechanical Design Drafter to support the design and development of industrial equipment in a manufacturing environment. You will create and modify engineering drawings, develop 3D models, and maintain documentation that supports engineering teams.

Collaborate with engineers and cross-functional teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, meet specs, and comply with safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Experience creating 2D drawings in AutoCAD.
• Proficient in 3D modeling with SolidWorks, Inventor, or Creo.
• Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings.
• Experience in manufacturing/industrial environments.
• Detail-oriented with BOM management.

Responsibilities

• Create and modify 2D drawings and 3D models using AutoCAD and 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo.
• Develop detailed, assembly, and layout drawings for mechanical systems and industrial equipment.
• Interpret engineering requirements and produce accurate designs.
• Generate and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Perform basic engineering calculations (dimensions, tolerances, materials, weight).
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to refine designs.
• Support design changes and product updates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure designs meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in design reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage multiple design projects with attention to detail.

Skills

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

3D modeling

Blueprints

Manufacturing awareness

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

Creo

Job description

Mechanical Design Drafter

We are seeking a detail-oriented Mechanical Design Drafter to support the design and development of industrial equipment within a manufacturing environment. In this role, you will create and modify engineering drawings, develop 3D models, and provide accurate documentation that supports engineering teams and drives design improvements. You will work closely with engineers and cross-functional teams to ensure designs are functional, manufacturable, and aligned with project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Create and modify 2D drawings and 3D models using AutoCAD and 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or similar tools.


• Develop detailed, assembly, and layout drawings for mechanical systems and industrial equipment.


• Interpret engineering requirements, specifications, and technical documents to produce accurate and complete designs.


• Generate and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and related engineering documentation.


• Perform basic engineering calculations, including dimensions, tolerances, materials, and weight estimates.


• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to refine and improve mechanical designs.


• Support design changes, revisions, and product updates throughout the project lifecycle.


• Ensure all designs meet applicable quality, safety, and regulatory standards.


• Participate in design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the design and drafting function.


• Manage multiple design and drafting projects simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience with AutoCAD for 2D drafting in a mechanical design environment.


• Hands-on experience with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or comparable tools for 3D modeling and assemblies.


• Experience in mechanical drafting, mechanical design, or engineering technology.


• Demonstrated ability to create detailed drawings, assemblies, and 3D models for mechanical systems and equipment.


• Ability to read, interpret, and work from blueprints, technical drawings, and engineering specifications.


• Exposure to manufacturing or industrial environments and an understanding of how designs translate to production.


• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy across multiple concurrent projects.


• Solid organizational and documentation skills for managing BOMs and engineering records.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chattanooga, TN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.64 - $45.35/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision


• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital


• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available


• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)


• Short and long-term disability


• Health Spending Account (HSA)


• Transportation benefits


• Employee Assistance Program


• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type: This is a fully onsite position in Chattanooga,TN.

Application Deadline: This position is anticipated to close on Oct 1, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.