Mechanical Co-op/CAD Operator (Winter 2027)

Salas O'Brien; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Salas O’Brien is seeking a Co-op/CAD Operator to support our M/E Engineering teams in Rochester or Buffalo, NY. You will perform CAD tasks, prepare drawings from architectural plans, and input mechanical/electrical data under supervision.

The role requires a high school or technical school diploma and a willingness to learn standard procedures. This position offers hands-on experience on diverse projects with a team‑focused environment at Salas O’Brien.

Qualifications

• High School or Technical School Training is required.
• Experience with CAD tasks in design projects.
• Willingness to learn standard procedures and collaborate with engineers.

Responsibilities

• Performs conventional designs, investigations, and surveys for which there are standard procedures.
• Preparation of sketches and other activities of standard procedures and limited scope requiring knowledge of principles and techniques commonly employed.
• Applies standard practices and techniques, adjusts and correlates data, recognises discrepancies and follows design through a series of related steps.
• Prepare drawings, locate outlets and devices following detailed layouts, routine drawings.
• Prepare drawings from architectural plans.
• Input mechanical and/or electrical work from freehand sketches.
• File blueprints, catalogs, etc.

Skills

CAD

Education

High School or Technical School Training

Job description

Co-op/CAD Operator

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee‑owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high‑rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary

• Performs assignments designed to develop professional work knowledge and abilities requiring application of standard techniques, and procedures in carrying out computer aided design (CAD) tasks.
• Supports M/E Engineering's Vision- "To be the most highly regarded firm committed to long-term relationships with our clients, employees and the community while developing solutions for the built environment."
• Works to advance M/E Engineering's Mission- "We listen to our client's needs, strive to implement creative solutions and constantly challenge our design teams to improve the world around us..."
• Displays M/E Engineering's core values on a daily basis- Stewardship, Approachability, Design Excellence, Professionalism and Integrity

Direction Received

• Works under direct supervision of CAD Operator, Designer or Engineer.
• Supervisor screens assignments for unusual or difficult problems and selects techniques and procedures to be applied on non-routine work.
• Receives close supervision on new aspects of assignments.
• Receives instructions on specific assignment objectives, complex features and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Performs conventional designs, investigations, and surveys for which there are standard procedures.
• Preparation of sketches and other activities of standard procedures and limited scope requiring knowledge of principles and techniques commonly employed.
• Applies standard practices and techniques, adjusts and correlates data, recognizes discrepancies and follows design through a series of related steps.
• Prepare drawings, locate outlets and devices following detailed layouts, routine drawings.
• Prepare drawings from architectural plans.
• Input mechanical and/or electrical work from freehand sketches.
• File blueprints, catalogs, etc.

Qualifications And Experience

A minimum of High School or Technical School Training

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle office materials, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; push and pull objects, speak and hear. Finger dexterity and field of vision is required. The employee may lift and/or move objects weighing up to twenty pounds.
• The regular use of a ladder, exposure to heights of 20 feet and physical mobility is required.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee will be required to get to and from job sites for field investigations and observations while using their personal transportation. Project locations outside of a normal commute may require the use of a rental vehicle.

Location

Location: Rochester or Buffalo, NY

Compensation & Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $20.00 USD per hour. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.