Freelance Mechanical Engineer / CAD Designer

Rks Design Inc.; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

A design and engineering firm in Thousand Oaks is seeking a Freelance Mechanical Engineer / CAD Designer. This hands-on role requires strong SolidWorks skills to reconcile and update a beta prototype's CAD database. Candidates should have 4–7 years of product development experience and demonstrate meticulous attention to detail. The position involves reviewing the physical prototype against CAD designs, updating complex assemblies, and revising 2D drawings. Immediate start in-office work is preferred.

Qualifications

• Approximately 4–7 years of product development experience.
• Experience updating and maintaining complex 3D CAD databases.
• Experience generating and revising detailed 2D production drawings.
• Experience generating and revising detailed 2D production drawings.
• Strong attention to detail and methodical documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently within an established engineering structure.

Responsibilities

• Review physical beta prototype against existing SolidWorks assembly.
• Update large SolidWorks assemblies to reflect the current working prototype.
• Update 2D drawings to reflect revised 3D geometry.
• Update large SolidWorks assemblies to reflect the current prototype.
• Resolve interferences and misalignments discovered during reconciliation.
• Maintain proper assembly structure, part references, and configurations.
• Update 2D drawings to reflect revised 3D geometry.
• Revise dimensions, tolerances, materials, and notes as required.
• Maintain revision control and drawing standards.
• Ensure drawing package aligns with updated BOM and assembly structure.

Skills

SolidWorks proficiency

Attention to detail

Documentation skills

2D CAD

Documentation

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Freelance Mechanical Engineer / CAD Designer

Thousand Oaks, United States | Posted on 02/11/2026

AboutRKS

RKS is a 40-year industrial design and product development firm bringing complex products to market across consumer, medical, appliance, and industrial sectors. We integrate industrial design, mechanical engineering, and electronics to deliver production-ready systems for global clients.

The Engagement

We are seeking a mid-level Mechanical or CAD Designer (contract/freelance) with strong SolidWorks experience to support reconciliation of a beta prototype with its 3D CAD database.

The product is in a working beta stage. The core architecture is established. The immediate need is detailed, methodical CAD updating to reflect the current beta prototype and documentation alignment to prepare the database for production assembly reference as the CAD database may lack detail around mounting plates, wiring harnesses and other components were added in the build of the beta unit.

This is a hands‑on CAD-intensive role suited for someone highly comfortable working in large assemblies and managing detailed updates.

Key Responsibilities

Beta Prototype vs. CAD Review

• Review physical beta prototype against existing SolidWorks assembly
• Identify discrepancies between as-built hardware and current 3D CAD
• Document differences in geometry, mounting, fasteners, routing, and interfaces

3D CAD Database Updates

• Update large SolidWorks assemblies to reflect the current working prototype
• Resolve interferences and misalignments discovered during reconciliation
• Maintain proper assembly structure, part references, and configurations

2D Documentation Updates

• Update 2D drawings to reflect revised 3D geometry
• Revise dimensions, tolerances, materials, and notes as required
• Maintain revision control and drawing standards
• Ensure drawing package aligns with updated BOM and assembly structure

Required Qualifications

• Approximately 4–7 years of product development experience
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks (large assemblies required) / 3D + 2D CAD
• Experience updating and maintaining complex 3D CAD databases
• Experience generating and revising detailed 2D production drawings
• Strong attention to detail and methodical documentation skills
• Ability to work independently within an established engineering structure

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Experience with sheet metal and injection-molded parts
• Familiarity with electromechanical assemblies (PCBs, wiring, motors, pumps, etc.)
• Experience preparing documentation for manufacturing release
• Freelance / Contract
• Immediate start
• In office