Drafter/designer

Actalent; City of Watertown (NY); On-site; USD 47,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Drafter/Designer (Detailer/Design Coordinator) to develop detailed shop drawings for prefabricated light-gauge panels, coordinate with architects, engineers, PMs, and field teams, and support preconstruction activities. The role emphasizes accuracy, constructability, and timely documentation in a collaborative office and shop setting.

The ideal candidate will have AutoCAD experience, familiarity with BIM tools, and strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects

Qualifications

• 1+ year AutoCAD experience producing shop drawings.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for drafting and design of structural projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office for documentation and coordination.
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat for reviewing PDFs.
• Understanding of building construction methods and sequencing.
• Experience with BIM tools like Revit is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed shop and fabrication drawings for prefabricated light-gauge panel projects.
• Create construction details and building assemblies with accuracy and constructability.
• Read and interpret construction plans and specifications to produce precise drawings.
• Coordinate design solutions with architects, engineers, PMs and field teams; collaborate with stamping vendors.
• Support estimating and preconstruction activities including quantity takeoffs and documentation.
• Assist with procurement and material coordination to ensure timely delivery of components.
• Track project documentation, drawing revisions, and maintain organized records.
• Provide updated drawings and coordination support to PMs during construction and closeout.
• Work cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Apply knowledge of assembly methods to improve design quality and field constructability.

Skills

AutoCAD

Drafting

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Reading construction plans

Building construction methods

Coordination

Multiple projects

Revit

Strong communication

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Job Title: Drafter / Designer (Detailer / Design Coordinator)

This role supports the design, coordination, and execution of prefabricated light-gauge structural systems. You will develop shop and fabrication drawings, create detailed building assemblies, and collaborate closely with project teams to deliver accurate, constructible design solutions. This position offers an excellent opportunity for someone with CAD experience to grow into roles such as Assistant Project Manager or Design Lead.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed shop and fabrication drawings for prefabricated light-gauge structural panel projects.
• Create construction details and building assemblies, ensuring accuracy and constructability.
• Read and interpret construction plans and specifications to produce precise drawings.
• Coordinate design solutions with architects, engineers, project managers, and field teams, including collaboration with outsourced third parties responsible for stamping.
• Support estimating and preconstruction activities when not drafting, including assisting with quantity takeoffs and documentation as needed.
• Assist with procurement and material coordination to ensure timely delivery of components.
• Track project documentation, including drawing revisions, and maintain organized, up-to-date records.
• Support project managers throughout construction and closeout by providing updated drawings, documentation, and coordination support.
• Work cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to resolve design and coordination issues.
• Apply an understanding of building construction methods, assemblies, and sequencing to improve design quality and field constructability.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 1+ year of AutoCAD experience producing construction, fabrication, or shop drawings.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for drafting and design of structural or construction-related projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for documentation, tracking, and coordination tasks.
• Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat for reviewing, marking up, and managing PDF drawings and documents.
• Understanding of building construction methods, assemblies, and sequencing.
• Familiarity with the construction project lifecycle from design through completion.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain accurate drawings and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strong communication and coordination skills for working with architects, engineers, project managers, and field teams.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify and resolve design and coordination issues.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Revit or other building information modeling tools is beneficial.
• Experience with construction-related drafting, including sheet metal or light-gauge systems, is an advantage.
• Experience in mechanical drafting or drafting/design is helpful for understanding complex assemblies.
• Experience with document revision control and drawing management is preferred.
• Interest in career growth into roles such as Assistant Project Manager or Design Lead.

Work Environment

This role is primarily based in an office setting, with additional work at a nearby panel shop located approximately a half mile away. You will work closely with design, estimating, and project management teams in a collaborative environment focused on prefabricated light-gauge structural systems. Daily work involves using AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat, along with other construction documentation tools. The panel shop environment involves proximity to fabrication activities and requires awareness of typical shop conditions such as noise and active material handling. The position supports a professional setting where accuracy, organization, and coordination are highly valued.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Watertown, NY.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $43.26/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 Watertown,NY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 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.

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.