Mechanical Designer/drafter

Actalent; Poway (CA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Healthcare benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an entry-level Mechanical Drafter (Drafter 2) in Poway, CA, to support sustainment engineering by updating drawings, maintaining documentation, and handling drafting tasks for aerospace programs.

You will create and revise 2D and 3D CAD models, manage drawing packages, and assist with change management while collaborating with engines, propulsion, avionics, and configuration projects. A strong eye for detail and solid CAD skills are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with at least 1 year of drafting or related work experience, or an AS degree with no prior work experience.
• Working knowledge of engineering drawing techniques and drafting standards.
• Experience using 2D and 3D CAD software, with Creo preferred; NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA are also acceptable.
• Ability to create and revise engineering drawings and CAD models for mechanical design and drafting.
• Basic understanding of trigonometry and algebra to support accurate measurements and calculations in drafting work.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in drawings, documentation, and change records.
• Good organizational skills to manage multiple drawing packages, documentation updates, and sustainment tasks.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with engineers and team members on drawing updates and documentation changes.

Responsibilities

• Revise and update mechanical and engineering drawings in support of sustainment engineering efforts.
• Create, modify, and maintain 2D and 3D CAD models for mechanical components and assemblies.
• Support documentation and change management activities, including maintaining accurate records and complete drawing packages.
• Assist with sustainment engineering paperwork, documentation releases, and administrative drafting tasks.
• Execute drawing updates to correct errors, incorporate change notices, and support ongoing sustainment of aerospace platforms.
• Collaborate with engineering teams working on engines, propulsion systems, ground support, avionics, and configuration-related mechanical engineering projects.
• Ensure all drawings and documentation comply with established engineering drawing techniques and drafting standards.
• Communicate effectively with engineers and other stakeholders to clarify requirements and implement requested changes.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or AS degree with drafting experience

Tools

Creo

NX

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

CATIA

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Drafter (Drafter 2 – Entry Level)

Job Description

This entry-level Mechanical Drafter (Drafter 2) role supports sustainment engineering by updating engineering drawings, managing documentation, and performing administrative drafting tasks for aerospace programs.

Responsibilities

• Revise and update mechanical and engineering drawings in support of sustainment engineering efforts.
• Create, modify, and maintain 2D and 3D CAD models for mechanical components and assemblies.
• Support documentation and change management activities, including maintaining accurate records and complete drawing packages.
• Assist with sustainment engineering paperwork, documentation releases, and administrative drafting tasks.
• Execute drawing updates to correct errors, incorporate change notices, and support ongoing sustainment of aerospace platforms.
• Collaborate with engineering teams working on engines, propulsion systems, ground support, avionics, and configuration-related mechanical engineering projects.
• Ensure all drawings and documentation comply with established engineering drawing techniques and drafting standards.
• Communicate effectively with engineers and other stakeholders to clarify requirements and implement requested changes.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma with at least 1 year of drafting or related work experience, or an AS degree with no prior work experience.
• Working knowledge of engineering drawing techniques and drafting standards.
• Experience using 2D and 3D CAD software, with Creo preferred; NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA are also acceptable.
• Ability to create and revise engineering drawings and CAD models for mechanical design and drafting.
• Basic understanding of trigonometry and algebra to support accurate measurements and calculations in drafting work.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in drawings, documentation, and change records.
• Good organizational skills to manage multiple drawing packages, documentation updates, and sustainment tasks.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with engineers and team members on drawing updates and documentation changes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with mechanical design, mechanical drafting, and 3D modeling in a CAD environment.
• Familiarity with Creo, SolidWorks, NX, AutoCAD, or CATIA for CAD modeling and engineering drawing creation.
• Interest in working on aerospace platforms, engines, propulsion systems, ground support equipment, avionics, and configuration-related projects.
• Motivation to grow within a structured engineering organization and develop long-term CAD and documentation expertise.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering team environment.
• Desire to support mission‑critical defense programs and high‑impact aerospace projects.

Work Environment

The role operates within a collaborative engineering environment that supports advanced unmanned aircraft systems and next‑generation aerospace technology. You will work closely with an engineering team focused on engines, propulsion systems, ground support, avionics, and configuration‑related mechanical engineering under a structured sustainment organization. The position involves extensive work with CAD software such as Creo, SolidWorks, NX, AutoCAD, or CATIA, as well as regular interaction with engineering documentation, drawing packages, and change management tools. The work environment offers hybrid work flexibility after onboarding, allowing a mix of on‑site and remote work, and follows a 9/80 work schedule that provides every other Friday off. The culture emphasizes long‑term innovation, in‑house collaboration across R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and technical support, and high‑impact work on mission‑critical aerospace and defense programs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Poway, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $75.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Poway,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.