Manufacturing Design Engineer (Lead Designer/Engineer)

Autocraft Group Inc.; Virginia; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Autocraft Group Inc. seeks a Lead Designer/Engineer to lead our CAD/CAM Department, directing design, drafting, and manufacturing support while driving continuous improvement. The role emphasizes hands-on engineering with leadership of a team and collaboration across production, sales and project management.

The ideal candidate will have strong design capabilities, extensive Inventor experience, and practical nesting/cam expertise to maximize efficiency and manufacturability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and engineering of products, assemblies and components using Autodesk Inventor and related applications.
• Develop detailed 3D models, fabrication drawings, BOMs and specifications.
• Perform engineering analysis, design reviews and manufacturability assessments.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, standards, safety and production capabilities.
• Support new product development and engineering projects; maintain change control.
• Create and maintain design standards, templates and documentation.
• Oversee daily CAD/CAM department operations and staff mentoring.
• Establish priorities and manage workloads to meet deadlines.
• Generate manufacturing-ready files for CNC, laser, plasma operations.
• Develop nesting programs and optimize material utilization with SigmaNEST.
• Collaborate with production to improve processes and reduce waste.
• Coordinate projects from concept to fabrication and production.

Skills

Autodesk Inventor

SigmaNEST

CAD/CAM

Leadership

Education

A

Job description

Job Description

Autocraft Group Inc. is seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Designer/Engineer to lead our CAD/CAM Department. This position combines hands-on engineering and design responsibilities with leadership of drafting, product development, and manufacturing support functions. The ideal candidate will possess strong design engineering capabilities, extensive experience with Autodesk Inventor, and practical knowledge of nested CAM software systems such as SigmaNEST.

This role is responsible for overseeing the development of engineered products from concept through production, ensuring designs are accurate, manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with company quality standards. The Lead Designer/Engineer will work closely with production, manufacturing, sales, and project management teams to deliver innovative solutions while improving processes and driving continuous improvement within the department.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering & Design

• Lead the design and engineering of products, assemblies, and components using Autodesk Inventor and related Autodesk applications.
• Develop detailed 3D models, fabrication drawings, engineering specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Perform engineering analysis, design reviews, and manufacturability assessments.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, industry standards, safety considerations, and production capabilities.
• Support new product development, product enhancements, and custom engineering projects.
• Maintain engineering change processes and revision control procedures.
• Create and maintain design standards, templates, and engineering documentation.

CAD/CAM Leadership

• Manage and oversee the daily operation of the CAD/CAM department.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to designers, drafters, and engineering staff.
• Establish departmental priorities and manage project workloads to meet deadlines.
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality of all design and manufacturing documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to design, engineering, and manufacturing workflows.

Manufacturing & CAM Integration

• Generate and manage manufacturing-ready files for CNC, laser, plasma, and fabrication operations.
• Develop and optimize nesting programs using SigmaNEST or similar nesting/CAM software to maximize material utilization and production efficiency.
• Collaborate with production teams to improve manufacturing processes and reduce waste.
• Support troubleshooting of manufacturing issues and implement corrective design solutions.
• Assist in evaluating new equipment, software, and manufacturing technologies.

Project Management & Collaboration

• Coordinate projects from concept through fabrication and final production.
• Work directly with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to define project requirements and engineering solutions.
• Estimate labor, material, and manufacturing requirements for projects.
• Participate in strategic planning related to product development, manufacturing improvements, and technology investments.
• Other duties, projects and responsibilities as assigned by manager

Qualifications

Education

Preferred:

• A