Mechanical Designer

CalTek Staffing; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

CalTek Staffing is partnering with an established San Diego engineering firm to hire a Mechanical Designer for an initial six‑month contract on‑site. You will convert P&IDs, markups, equipment data into accurate 3D models and detailed drawings, focusing on piping and process equipment layout.

You will work with Project Managers and engineers, prepare fabrication drawings, and ensure revisions and vendor drawings are integrated.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Five+ years of professional design experience.
• Experience with industrial piping and process equipment.

Responsibilities

• Develop 3D models and 2D fabrication drawings for custom process systems.
• Lay out equipment and route piping/ductwork with related components.
• Position equipment with access, maintenance clearances, and nozzles in mind.
• Interpret P&IDs, specifications, vendor drawings, and redlines.
• Update models/drawings with feedback while preserving revisions.
• Coordinate with PMs, suppliers, and fabricators to resolve design questions.
• Support BOMs, drawing packages, and technical manuals as needed.
• SolidWorks and AutoCAD proficiency in on-site teams.

Skills

P&ID interpretation

3D modeling

Pipe routing

Education

AS/BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Compensation:

$35-$55/hr.

Schedule:

On-site, M-F – Flexible Hours

Company Overview

CalTek Staffing is partnering with an established San Diego engineering firm that designs custom industrial environmental and gas-treatment systems for chemical, metals, waste-treatment, and other process-intensive applications. Systems are engineered in-house and fabricated through a network of qualified suppliers. The work combines mechanical equipment design, industrial piping, process layout, structural integration, and close coordination with vendors and fabricators.

Position Summary

The Mechanical Designer will work closely with Project Managers, Project Engineers, and engineering leadership to convert P&IDs, engineering markups, equipment data, and project requirements into accurate 3D models and detailed technical drawings. The primary focus is the practical layout of custom process equipment and the piping that connects it, including pumps, valves, instruments, vessels, supports, and related mechanical components. This is an initial six-month contract with the potential for indefinite extension based on business needs, project volume, and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain 3D models and 2D fabrication, assembly, and installation drawings for custom industrial process systems.
• Lay out process equipment and route interconnecting piping and ductwork, incorporating pumps, fans or blowers, valves, flanges, reducers, instruments, vessels, and related components as applicable.
• Position equipment and create or revise related parts, supports, frames, and assemblies with attention to operating access, maintenance clearances, constructability, nozzle orientation, and interference avoidance.
• Interpret P&IDs, engineering specifications, equipment data sheets, vendor drawings, sketches, and redlined drawings.
• Update models and drawings based on customer, engineer, vendor, and fabricator feedback while maintaining revision accuracy.
• Coordinate directly with Project Managers, Project Engineers, suppliers, and fabrication partners to resolve fit-up, interface, and design questions.
• Support bills of material, project documentation, drawing packages, and technical manuals as needed.
• A.S. OR B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline is also acceptable. Five or more years of professional experience will also be considered.
• Six months to five years of relevant mechanical design or drafting experience involving industrial piping, process equipment, packaged systems, or comparable mechanical assemblies.
• Demonstrated ability to design or lay out piping systems containing pumps, valves, process instruments, fittings, and equipment connections, and to interpret P&ID's, equipment layouts, technical drawings, and vendor documentation.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or a comparable 3D mechanical or plant-design platform with transferable modeling and routing skills. Relevant platforms may include Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge, Creo, Siemens NX, CATIA, AutoCAD Plant 3D, CADWorx, Bentley OpenPlant, AVEVA E3D/PDMS, Smart 3D, or similar software.
• Ability and willingness to transition into SolidWorks, work within established drawing and revision-control practices, communicate clear, and work on-site with a collaborative engineering team.
• Hands-on SolidWorks and AutoCAD experience, including routing, assemblies, drawing creation, or new-part modeling.
• Experience with industrial process skids, environmental systems, chemical-processing equipment, utility systems, or other custom engineered-to-order equipment.
• Experience incorporating structural steel, equipment supports, access platforms, pressure vessels, tanks, ductwork, sheet-metal assemblies, or other fabricated components into equipment layouts.
• Experience preparing fabrication drawings, piping isometrics, bills of material, or vendor drawing packages, and coordinating with outside fabricators or installation teams.