Design Drafter

KBR Careers; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Kord, a wholly owned subsidiary of KBR, seeks a Design Drafter to design, develop, and integrate complex systems in support of High Energy Laser platforms. You will draft detailed drawings, collaborate with systems engineers, and ensure manufacturability and compliance with standards in a fast-paced defense environment.

Responsibilities include creating CAD designs, coordinating with engineering teams, and driving drafting projects from concept to release while maintaining required security

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and at least 6+ years relevant drafting experience.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Extensive experience with SolidWorks CAD software.

Responsibilities

• Exercises independent judgment in selecting and interpreting data based on design intent.
• Interpret general designs prepared by others to complete details.
• May provide advice and guidance to or supervise lower level drafters.
• May serve as a coordinator and planner for large and complex drafting projects.
• Liaise with engineers to gather product and structural requirements and designs.
• Calculate dimensions, weight limitations and requirements in materials.
• Describe production methods step-by-step (including equipment and software types to be used).
• Create detailed designs with CAD software.
• Design diagrams and layouts to illustrate workflow.
• Prepare and review rough sketches with the engineering team.
• Identify potential operational issues and redesign products to improve functionality.
• Ensure final designs comply with regulations and quality standards.

Skills

Independent judgment

Interpretation of designs

Communication with engineers

Agile development environment

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Program Summary

Kord, a wholly owned subsidiary of KBR, is a leader in advanced defense solutions with a strong focus on directed energy and high energy laser (HEL) technologies. Our HEL programs support the U.S. Department of Defense in developing, integrating, testing, and fielding cutting‑edge laser weapon systems that enhance national security and deliver decisive battlefield advantages. These efforts require deep technical expertise in mechanical engineering, systems integration, and real‑time performance of laser subsystems under demanding operational conditions.

Title

Design Drafter

Program Summary

Kord, a wholly owned subsidiary of KBR, is a leader in advanced defense solutions with a strong focus on directed energy and high energy laser (HEL) technologies. Our HEL programs support the U.S. Department of Defense in developing, integrating, testing, and fielding cutting‑edge laser weapon systems that enhance national security and deliver decisive battlefield advantages. These efforts require deep technical expertise in mechanical engineering, systems integration, and real‑time performance of laser subsystems under demanding operational conditions.

Description

The Design Drafter will play a critical role in the design, development, and integration of integrated systems that support our High Energy Laser weapon platforms. Drafts and prepares detail drawings of unusual, complex, or original design, working with design originators. Creates designs from verbal or written instructions. Performs unusually difficult assignments requiring considerable initiative, resourcefulness, and drafting expertise. Ensures that anticipated problems in manufacture, assembly, installation, and operation are resolved by the drawings produced. Collaborate with systems engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and program leadership.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Exercises independent judgment in selecting and interpreting data based on a knowledge of the design intent.
• Interpret general designs prepared by others to complete details.
• May provide advice and guidance to or supervise lower level drafters.
• May serve as a coordinator and planner for large and complex drafting projects.
• Liaise with engineers to gather product and structural requirements and designs
• Calculate dimensions, weight limitations and requirements in materials
• Describe production methods step‑by‑step (including equipment and software types to be used)
• Create detailed designs with computer‑aided design (CAD) software
• Design diagrams and layouts to illustrate workflow
• Prepare and review rough sketches and review them along with the engineering team
• Identify potential operational issues and redesign products to improve functionality
• Ensure final designs comply with regulations and quality standards
• Create manuals that describe existing products’ operation, features and maintenance
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma and at least 6+ years relevant drafting experience
• US Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
• Extensive working experience with SolidWorks computer‑aided design (CAD) software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates Degree
• 10+ years relevant drafting experience
• Demonstrated experience with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing and ASME drafting standards
• Ability to navigate and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and interface requirements.
• Strong analytical problem‑solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex system behaviors.
• Good math skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with engineers, program management, and government customers.
• Able and willing to work in an agile development environment.
• Able to work both independently and in a team environment
• Able to clearly communicate, express, and understand complex information.
• Able to work in an active development lab environment
• Ability to contribute to mechanical design problem solving independently
• Additional certification from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) is a plus.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.