Junior CADD Technician — Water Utilities Design

Riley Engineering, LLC; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Health insurance

Relocation assistance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Riley Engineering, LLC in Tucson, AZ is seeking a motivated CADD Technician I to join our civil engineering team. You will help design water and wastewater infrastructure and develop construction documents using Civil 3D.

This entry-level role offers mentoring, hands-on experience, and opportunities to grow CAD skills while supporting engineers, designers, and project managers on municipal and private projects. Work location is in our Tucson office; typical schedule is 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical certificate, or equivalent training in Drafting Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, CADD, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 0-3 years of experience in CADD drafting and design.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with engineers, designers, and project teams.

Responsibilities

• Design water and wastewater utility systems using pipe networks in Civil 3D, including waterlines, sanitary sewer systems, and storm drain infrastructure.
• Set up and modify alignments, profiles, and pipe runs based on engineering direction and project requirements.
• Update utility network models to reflect design revisions and field conditions.
• Perform manual site grading and surface modeling using Civil 3D.
• Assist with channel and drainage infrastructure design utilizing alignments, corridors, and grading tools.
• Import, review, and interpret survey information, including points, surfaces, utility locations, and as-built data.
• Locate and map existing water, sewer, and stormwater utilities in CAD drawings.
• Adjust proposed utility designs to avoid conflicts with existing underground infrastructure.
• Assist with incorporating GIS data, utility records, and survey information into project base maps and plans.
• Prepare construction drawings and supporting documentation for engineering projects.
• Maintain accurate drafting standards, layers, annotations, and labeling for utility components.
• Review drawings for consistency, including pipe sizes, invert elevations, slopes, and design criteria.
• Work closely with civil engineers and utility designers to develop project deliverables.
• Support senior CADD staff with complex utility layouts, adjustments, and production tasks.
• Apply Riley Engineering CAD standards and quality control procedures.
• Participate in occasional field activities, including site reconnaissance, utility investigations, and construction observations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Effective communication

Education

0-3 years of experience in CADD drafting and design

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Job description

Location: Tucson, AZ
Salary Range: $45,000 – $61,000 annually, depending on experience

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Riley Engineering is a civil engineering firm specializing in water resources. Our mission is to engineer and implement solutions to provide society with water infrastructure. Riley was founded to improve people’s lives by ensuring that all have the necessary civil infrastructure to facilitate socioeconomic well-being. Our employees rally behind that mission and enjoy building the firm from the ground up together—pairing technical expertise with business acumen and a heart for helping others.

CADD TECHNICIAN I (0-3 YEARS) ROLE

Riley Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented CADD Technician to join our growing team. This position offers an excellent opportunity for individuals beginning their careers or looking to expand their experience in civil engineering design and drafting. The successful candidate will work alongside engineers, designers, and project managers to develop construction documents and utility system designs for a variety of municipal and private-sector infrastructure projects.

At Riley Engineering, we value collaboration, technical excellence, and professional growth. We invest in our employees by providing hands-on experience, mentoring, and opportunities to develop advanced skills while supporting meaningful projects that improve communities throughout the southwest.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Design water and wastewater utility systems using pipe networks in Civil 3D, including waterlines, sanitary sewer systems, and storm drain infrastructure.
• Set up and modify alignments, profiles, and pipe runs based on engineering direction and project requirements.
• Update utility network models to reflect design revisions and field conditions.
• Perform manual site grading and surface modeling using Civil 3D.
• Assist with channel and drainage infrastructure design utilizing alignments, corridors, and grading tools.
• Import, review, and interpret survey information, including points, surfaces, utility locations, and as-built data.
• Locate and map existing water, sewer, and stormwater utilities in CAD drawings.
• Adjust proposed utility designs to avoid conflicts with existing underground infrastructure.
• Assist with incorporating GIS data, utility records, and survey information into project base maps and plans.
• Prepare construction drawings and supporting documentation for engineering projects.
• Maintain accurate drafting standards, layers, annotations, and labeling for utility components.
• Review drawings for consistency, including pipe sizes, invert elevations, slopes, and design criteria.
• Work closely with civil engineers and utility designers to develop project deliverables.
• Support senior CADD staff with complex utility layouts, adjustments, and production tasks.
• Apply Riley Engineering CAD standards and quality control procedures.
• Participate in occasional field activities, including site reconnaissance, utility investigations, and construction observations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree, technical certificate, or equivalent training in Drafting Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, CADD, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 0-3 years of experience in CADD drafting and design.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with engineers, designers, and project teams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience preparing civil engineering construction drawings.
• Familiarity with water, wastewater, stormwater, or site development projects.
• Experience working with survey data, utility records, GIS data, or as-built documentation.
• Knowledge of civil engineering drafting standards and construction plan preparation.

WHAT WE’LL EXPECT FROM YOU

• 40 hours per week, based in our Tucson, AZ office
• Self-motivated and resourceful in solving problems and learning new skills
• Ability to collaborate with a team
• Values alignment: Passion, Excellence, Integrity, Education, Balance, Humility, Adaptability

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US

• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership based on your interests and strengths
• Impact on a growing firm where your voice and ideas matter
• Supportive colleagues and leadership committed to mentorship and meaningful work
• 10 paid holidays per year; 3 weeks PTO (more with tenure)
• Company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Company-paid life insurance
• Optional FSA/HSA, accident, illness, and disability coverage
• 401(k) with 5% company match

BENEFITS

• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Riley Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Riley Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

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