Drafter

Actalent; University Park (IL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in University Park, IL is seeking a Senior Drafter for a 6–12 month contract to prepare complex mechanical and electrical drawings and support engineering teams by converting existing drawings into standardized CAD formats.

You will perform advanced 2D and 3D drafting in SolidWorks, mentor junior drafters, develop bills of material, and collaborate with engineers to optimize designs and ensure accuracy across drawings.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in a technical field or a CAD certificate in SolidWorks.
• 5+ years of detail and design experience using SolidWorks 3D CAD.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks for both 2D and 3D drafting and mechanical design.
• Ability to understand and manipulate complete sets of routine drawings, including multiple views, cross sections, detail drawings, and assembly drawings.
• Experience creating and maintaining bills of material and related documentation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare simple, moderately complex, and major layouts of engineering drawings from predetermined designs, ensuring accuracy across all views and sections.
• Draw preliminary sketches of proposed products or projects based on design concepts and engineering input.
• Perform advanced detail 2D and 3D drafting using SolidWorks, including creation of first sketches when required.
• Document detailed specifications for parts, assemblies, and installations, maintaining records for manufacturing and engineering teams.
• Create new or modified designs for existing products in collaboration with engineers and designers.
• Develop and maintain bills of material and related information to support production and project management.
• Assist engineers in developing complex mechanical and electrical drawings of components and assemblies.
• Check the work of entry-level drafters to ensure accuracy and provide guidance on drafting standards.

Skills

SolidWorks 3D

2D drafting

3D drafting

Detail and design

BOM creation

CAD standards

Mentoring juniors

Engineering documentation

Education

Associate degree/technical certificate

CAD certificate in SolidWorks

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

6-12 month contract role for a Drafter!

Looking for someone with at least 5-10 years of experience!

Job Description

The Senior Drafter prepares complex, detailed mechanical and electrical drawings and supports engineering and project teams by converting existing drawings into standardized CAD formats. This role performs routine design tasks under the guidance of Senior designers or engineers, while also providing advanced drafting expertise and occasional guidance to entry-level drafters. Success in this position directly impacts project execution, product quality, and overall engineering effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Prepare simple, moderately complex, and major layouts of engineering drawings from predetermined designs, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all views and sections.
• Draw preliminary sketches of proposed products or projects based on design concepts and engineering input.
• Perform advanced detail 2D and 3D drafting using SolidWorks, including the creation of first sketches when required.
• Document detailed specifications for parts, assemblies, and installations, maintaining clear and complete records for manufacturing and engineering teams.
• Create new or modified designs for new or existing products in collaboration with engineers and designers.
• Recommend design modifications and changes to improve product performance, manufacturability, or simplify designs where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain bills of material and related information to support production, purchasing, and project management activities.
• Assist engineers in the development of complex mechanical and electrical drawings of components and assemblies.
• Manipulate and manage complete sets of routine drawings that include multiple views, cross sections, detail drawings, and assembly drawings.
• Check the work of entry-level drafters to ensure accuracy of details, drawings, and calculations, and provide guidance on drafting standards and best practices.
• Extract engineering data from defined sources and apply standard work methods and design processes to prepare preliminary and final designs.
• Convert a high volume of existing drawings into the designated CAD system, ensuring alignment with current standards and practices.

Essential Skills

• Associates degree in a technical field or a CAD certificate in SolidWorks.
• 5 or more years of detail and design experience using SolidWorks 3D CAD software.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks for both 2D and 3D drafting and mechanical design.
• Ability to understand and manipulate complete sets of routine drawings, including multiple views, cross sections, detail drawings, and assembly drawings.
• Proficient in standard drafting and CAD drawing techniques, including mid-to-high level visualization skills for complex design features.
• Ability to follow established work methods and design processes to prepare preliminary and detailed designs.
• Skill in extracting engineering data from defined sources and applying it accurately in drawings and documentation.
• Experience creating and maintaining bills of material and related documentation.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in drafting, dimensioning, and tolerance application.
• Ability to support engineers in developing complex mechanical and electrical component and assembly drawings.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience converting large volumes of existing drawings into a new or standardized CAD system.
• 510 years of overall drafting and design experience in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to provide guidance and informal oversight to entry-level drafters, including checking drawings and calculations.
• Capability to occasionally originate first sketches and contribute to new or modified product designs.
• Strong customer focus and drive for results, with a commitment to meeting project deadlines and quality standards.
• Well-developed functional and technical drafting skills combined with a willingness for ongoing personal learning.
• Effective planning and organizational skills to manage multiple drawing packages and documentation tasks.
• Comfort working as an individual contributor within cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, and project teams.

Work Environment

This role operates in a collaborative engineering and manufacturing environment, working closely with engineering, production, and project teams to support product development and project execution. The position is structured as a contract assignment expected to last approximately 6 to 12 months. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with typical hours of either 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work is primarily performed in an office or design space using SolidWorks 3D CAD software and standard drafting tools, with regular interaction with technical staff and project stakeholders. The environment emphasizes accuracy, adherence to established design processes, and effective communication across teams, with a professional dress code appropriate for an engineering and manufacturing setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of University Park, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $36.05/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 University Park,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 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.