Lead Civil CAD Technician(8+ years experience)

LPD Engineering PLLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary & bonus

Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)

Company matched retirement

ORCA transit pass

Professional development

Job summary

LPD Engineering is seeking an experienced Lead Civil CAD Technician in Seattle to lead drafting efforts and grow toward a CAD Manager role. The position centers on hands-on drafting (80–90%) with leadership duties (10–20%), focused on Civil AutoCAD Civil 3D design and standards management.

The ideal candidate will drive high-quality drafting, workflows, and training across the firm, ensuring accurate, compliant deliverables for complex civil projects.

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of experience in civil engineering drafting and design.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Experience preparing civil engineering construction plans and technical exhibits.
• Strong understanding of Xrefs, layouts/sheet setup, layers, surface modeling, profiles & cross-sections, and utility/grading design.

Responsibilities

• Lead CAD production on multiple civil projects and prepare/modify drawings using AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Coordinate with engineers and PMs to support project delivery.
• Develop efficient drafting workflows and maintain drawing consistency.
• Review drawings for quality, accuracy, and regulatory/compliance standards.
• Support project teams during design and construction phases.

Skills

Civil CAD drafting

CAD leadership

Drafting standards

Workflow optimization

Training & mentoring

Coordination with engineers

Quality assurance

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Job description

Lead Civil CAD Technician (8+ years experience)

Location: Seattle, WA

The Opportunity

LPD Engineering is seeking an experienced Lead Civil CAD Technician that is interested in growth toward a CAD Manager opportunity or someone that can step into that CAD Management position to support our civil engineering and CAD team through high-quality drafting, CAD leadership, and standards management.

This is a hands‑on production role with leadership responsibilities. Approximately 80–90% of the position will focus on drafting and technical production work, while 10–20% will involve team leadership, CAD standards oversight, workflow improvements, training, and technology coordination. The ideal candidate is highly organized, technically skilled in Civil AutoCAD Civil 3D Design, collaborative, and motivated to improve drafting quality and efficiency across the firm.

Key Responsibilities

CAD Production and Technical Leadership

• Serve as the lead CAD technician on multiple civil engineering projects
• Prepare and modify civil engineering drawings using AutoCAD and Civil 3D
• Coordinate with engineers and project managers to support project delivery
• Develop efficient drafting workflows and maintain drawing consistency
• Review drawings for quality, accuracy, and compliance with company and regulatory standards
• Support project teams during design and construction phases

CAD Standards and Technology

• Maintain and update company CAD standards, templates, and best practices
• Manage and organize the company CAD detail library
• Support implementation of new CAD tools, software upgrades, and drafting technologies
• Coordinate software licensing and provide internal CAD‑related technical support
• Identify opportunities to improve drafting efficiency and design quality

Team Support and Development

• Provide day‑to‑day support, guidance, and training to CAD staff
• Assist with onboarding and development of drafting team members
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and solution‑oriented work environment
• Participate in performance feedback and continuous improvement efforts
• Help prioritize and allocate CAD resources across active projects

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in civil engineering drafting and design
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D
• Experience preparing civil engineering construction plans and technical exhibits
• Strong understanding of:
  • External references (Xrefs)
  • Layouts and sheet setup
  • Layer management standards
  • Surface modeling
  • Profiles and cross‑sections
  • Utility and grading design
• Experience developing or maintaining CAD standards and workflows
• Strong organizational, communication, and time‑management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with civil engineering design and detailing, multidisciplinary project teams, and familiarity with Washington State and local municipal drafting standards
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing CAD staff, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative team environment
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
• Self‑motivated and proactive, with strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills and the ability to identify issues, solve problems, and prevent them from escalating
• Actively seeks opportunities to improve CAD standards, workflows, technology, and efficiency across the organization
• Strong communicator and team player who works effectively across all levels of the organization and contributes to a positive, respectful workplace culture
• Embraces change, learns new software and technologies quickly, and helps the organization adapt to evolving industry standards and practices
• Takes ownership, follows through on commitments, consistently produces high‑quality work, and thinks beyond day‑to‑day production to support long‑term CAD standards, training, and technology planning

Compensation And Benefits

LPD Engineering offers a competitive compensation package, which may include:

• Salary and bonus/profit‑sharing opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company‑paid life, AD&D, and long‑term disability insurance
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Retirement plan with company match
• Subsidized ORCA transit pass
• Professional development and training opportunities

This Position’s Starting Salary Range: $95,000 – $125,000 (Salaried Exempt)

Performance Metrics

This position is expected to demonstrate a high level of ownership, accountability, follow‑through, and continuous improvement in support of both project execution and overall firm operations.

Success In This Role Will Be Measured Through

• Accurate, complete, consistent CAD deliverables completed within project schedules and deadlines.
• Reduction of errors, revisions, and rework through effective CAD standards, templates, libraries, and workflows.
• Responsive support to project teams with timely communication regarding workload, priorities, project status, and scheduling conflicts.
• Effective coordination of CAD resources, training, mentoring, and technical support for CAD staff.
• Proactive identification of issues and coordination with senior leadership for implementation of practical solutions, workflow improvements, and efficiency initiatives.

Working Conditions

This position primarily involves computer‑based drafting and coordination work in an office environment. The role requires prolonged periods of sitting or standing, frequent computer use, and regular communication with team members and project stakeholders.

This is an in‑office position located in Seattle, Washington and is not eligible for remote work.

About LPD Engineering

At LPD Engineering, we’re passionate about designing infrastructure that strengthens communities and creates lasting impact. As a Seattle‑based, woman‑owned civil engineering firm, we deliver innovative site development solutions from concept through construction for a diverse range of public and private projects.

Our expertise includes site development, stormwater management, grading, utilities, paving, access improvements, erosion control, and infrastructure design. We work across multiple delivery methods—including Design‑Bid‑Build, GCCM, Progressive Design‑Build, and Design‑Build—giving our team the opportunity to solve complex challenges and work on meaningful projects.

What makes LPD different is our culture. We are driven by Curiosity, Integrity, and Service Excellence, empowering our employees to think creatively, collaborate openly, and take ownership of their work. We believe the best engineering comes from people who are challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.

Equal Opportunity Employer

LPD Engineering is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and applicable laws.

Learn more about us at www.lpdengineering.com