Designer/Drafter III

AeroVironment; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Designer/Drafter III to design mechanical parts and assemblies, prepare detailed drawings, and manage documentation through the configuration management system. The role collaborates with engineers and manufacturing to ensure designs meet tolerances and industry standards.

Requirements include 8–10 years in mechanical design, CSWP or higher, and strong GD&T/ASME knowledge. Familiarity with CAD/PLM tools and aerospace composite structures is preferred.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• 8–10 years of related experience in mechanical design and drafting.
• CSWP or higher certification preferred.
• Familiarity with GD&T, ASME, and configuration management.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical parts, components and assemblies including composites, metal, and non-metallics.
• Create and review engineering drawings and documents per company/industry standards.
• Analyze tolerances and fabrication methods to ensure manufacturability.
• Specify materials, finishes and workmanship callouts per specifications.
• Work with engineers and manufacturing to document changes and support BOMs.

Skills

SOLIDWORKS CAD

CSWP certification

GD&T

ASME Y14.5

Configuration management

Education

College degree (Associates or better)

Tools

SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS PDM

Fusion PLM

Arena PLM

Windchill

Job description

Worker TypeRegularJob DescriptionSummaryThe Mechanical Designer/Drafter III role assists a team of engineering staff to design components, parts & assemblies, and to create engineering drawings, engineering change orders, bills of materials, and other related engineering documentation.The Designer/Drafter works with Engineers and Manufacturing personnel to create new designs & drawings, modify existing designs & drawings, document design changes, update bills of materials, and shepherd documents through the configuration management system.Position ResponsibilitiesDesigns mechanical parts, components & assemblies, including composite parts, metallic, and non-metallicCreates and reviews engineering drawings and documents that conform to company and industry drawing standardsAnalyzes manufacturing tolerances and fabrication methods to help ensure part/assembly manufacturabilityApplies Geometric Dimensioning & ToleranceSpecifies materials, finishes, and workmanship callouts in accordance with industry specificationsWorks on assignments that are moderately difficult, requiring judgment in resolving issues or in making recommendationsOther duties as assignedBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)High School diploma or GED equivalent is requiredA minimum of 8 - 10 years of related experience in a mechanical design and drafting positionCertified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) certification or higherUnderstanding of industry design & documentation standards (GD&T, ASME, configuration management, etc.)Excellent working knowledge of the Drawing Requirements Manual (DRM)Excellent working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 standardsExpertise in SOLIDWORKS CADExperienced and proficient with SOLIDWORKS PDMCompetence in designing composite aerospace structures & related composite manufacturing processesExperience should have emphasis on the design of electro-mechanical systems, mechanical assemblies, electronics packaging, composite parts, plastic injected molded parts, tooling & fixtures, and wire assembliesExperienced in creating the following types of drawings: machined parts drawings, composite parts drawings, plastic injection molded part drawings, sheet metal fabrication drawings, source control drawings, specification control drawings, wire assembly drawings, mechanical assembly drawings, and weldment drawingsSubstantial understanding of the position and applies knowledge and skills to complete a wide range of tasksConsistently demonstrates strong interpersonal skills to be able to interface with the other group members and departmentsAble to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of dutiesStrong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectivesTakes ownership and responsibility for current and past work productsIs committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the companyHas effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interestsOther Qualifications & Desired CompetenciesCollege degree (Associates or better), vocational or technical school training in related discipline15+ years of related experience in a mechanical design and drafting positionGD&T certificationHands on design/build UAV experience preferred, especially lightweight RC aircraft or other miniature robotics systemsExperience with a Product Lifecycle Management system (Fusion, Agile, Arena, Windchill, etc.)Physical DemandsAbility to work in an office environment (Constant)Required to stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Constant)Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls. (Frequent)See details of objects that are less than a few feet away (Frequent)Occasionally may be required to travelClearance LevelNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:$27 - $41AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.ITAR Requirement:This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.About AV:AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.ITARU.S. Citizenship required