Mechanical/ Piping CAD Designer

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Birmingham, AL seeks a Mechanical / Piping CAD Designer to develop detailed mechanical and piping drawings using AutoCAD and Cadworx Plant 3D. You will collaborate with a Lead Designer, prepare complete drawing packages, and ensure designs meet project standards and schedules.

The role requires strong drafting skills, pipe stress coordination, and explicit experience with AutoCAD 3D. This is a hybrid position with on-site Tuesdays/Thursdays and remote other days.

Qualifications

• This role requires comprehensive mechanical drafting and piping design experience.
• Must have hands-on AutoCAD (3D) experience on design projects.
• Experience coordinating pipe stress analyses with engineers is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Lead Mechanical Designer to support multiple projects.
• Develop detailed mechanical and piping designs for review and approval.
• Prepare construction drawing packages using company standards.
• Coordinate pipe stress analysis and ensure constructible designs.
• Ensure technical accuracy and clarity of all drawings.
• Communicate with project stakeholders to resolve design issues.

Skills

AutoCAD

AutoCAD 3D

Piping design

Mechanical drafting

Stakeholder communication

Pipe stress coordination

MS Office

Cadworx Plant 3D

Autodesk Inventor

Education

Associate degree in drafting/design

Technical drafting training

Tools

Cadworx Plant 3D

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical / Piping CAD Designer

Job Description

This Mechanical / Piping CAD Designer role supports one or more projects by providing high-quality mechanical and piping drafting and design in collaboration with a Lead Mechanical Designer. You will interpret engineering concepts, develop detailed designs and construction drawing packages, and help ensure deliverables meet project schedules and technical standards. The position offers a hybrid work schedule, a flexible environment, and the opportunity to work on complex physical design projects using industry-standard CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Lead Mechanical Designer to support drafting and design efforts across one or more projects.
• Interpret and analyze general design information provided by engineers and translate it into detailed, accurate drawings.
• Prepare detailed mechanical and piping designs for engineer review and approval, ensuring adherence to project requirements and standards.
• Produce complete construction drawing packages under supervision, using company standards and established drafting techniques.
• Apply principles of pipe stress and coordinate related analysis with engineers to support safe and constructible designs.
• Assume responsibility for the technical accuracy, clarity, and constructability of finished designs and drawings.
• Communicate and coordinate effectively with all disciplines and project stakeholders to resolve design issues and maintain alignment.
• Review vendor equipment drawings to verify compliance with project specifications and integrate them into overall layouts.
• Develop equipment and piping layouts based on project scope, vendor data, and engineering input.
• Support the overall production of deliverables to meet project schedules and quality expectations.
• Participate in ongoing interactions with project staff and management to ensure design progress and address project needs.

Essential Skills

• At least 35 years of experience in mechanical drafting and design, with the ability to perform effectively at a design level.
• Minimum of 35 years of drafting and design experience in a related field; experience in the Petro-Chemical industry is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience utilizing AutoCAD for physical design projects.
• Ability to utilize AutoCAD 3D software for mechanical and piping design.
• Experience working directly with a Lead Designer and engaging with multiple project stakeholders.
• Background and understanding of physical design projects using AutoCAD, regardless of industry segment.
• Familiarity with principles of pipe stress and experience coordinating pipe stress analysis with engineers.
• Proficiency with MS Windows, MS Outlook, MS Excel, and MS Word.
• Technology training in drafting and design from an accredited school; an associate degree in a related discipline is preferred.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interface effectively with all levels of project staff and management.
• Ability to assume responsibility for the technical accuracy and constructability of designs.
• Residence within daily commuting distance of Birmingham, AL.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in the Petro-Chemical industry field is highly preferred.
• Experience with a consulting engineering firm is preferred.
• Cadworx Plant 3D experience is preferred and considered a strong asset.
• Experience in a piping-related industry and involvement with pipe stress or coordinating analysis is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Autodesk Inventor and other mechanical CAD tools is beneficial.
• Experience supporting projects using Cadworx or similar 3D plant design software is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work within established company standards and drafting practices.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality drawings and designs.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid work environment with a blend of in-office and remote work. The standard schedule includes in-office work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, remote work on Mondays and Wednesdays, and shortened operating hours on Fridays, with the workday ending at 11:00. Candidates should expect to work in the office initially while they learn internal systems, standards, and processes and build confidence before transitioning fully to the hybrid schedule. The position involves working in a professional office setting using technologies such as AutoCAD, AutoCAD 3D, Cadworx Plant 3D (preferred), and Microsoft Office applications. The environment emphasizes flexibility, consistent management support, and collaboration with local team members on complex mechanical and piping design projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Birmingham, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00/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 jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Birmingham,AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.