Part-Time CAD Designer / Fabrication Detailer

Axis Design & Fabrication; Valley (NE); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Axis Design and Fabrication is seeking a part-time CAD Designer / Fabrication Detailer. This role is primarily remote with weekly shop meetings near Valley, Nebraska.

Compensation is $35–$45/hour, with hours varying by project workload. You should be close enough to attend on-site reviews and learn the shop’s fabrication processes.

Qualifications

• Strong CAD skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to read and understand architectural or engineering drawings.
• Ability to visualize how parts will fit together and be fabricated.
• Understanding of dimensions, tolerances, scale, and clearances.
• Ability to work independently while communicating with the shop team.

Responsibilities

• Create fabrication-ready shop and detail drawings for custom metalwork.
• Turn concepts and measurements into practical designs.
• Develop drawings for stairs, railings, gates, and architectural metalwork.
• Detail connections, joints, welds, hardware, and assemblies.
• Review drawings for fabrication or installation problems before shop.
• Work with fabrication team to revise drawings as needed.
• Incorporate field measurements into designs.
• Modify and interpret architectural and engineering drawings.
• Help develop efficient fabrication solutions while maintaining design intent.
• Ensure drawings are accurate and useful for builders.

Skills

CAD skills

Attention to detail

Reading drawings

Dimensional tolerances

Independent work

Problem solving

Willingness to learn

Travel to shop

Tools

Onshape

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Fusion 360

Job description

Part-Time CAD Designer / Fabrication Detailer

Axis Design and Fabrication
Location: Primarily Remote — Candidates must live within approximately a 1-hour drive of our shop in Valley, Nebraska
Position: Part-Time, W-2
Pay: $35–$45/hour, depending on experience
Hours: Variable based on project workload — no guaranteed minimum hours

About Axis Design and Fabrication

Axis Design and Fabrication is a custom metal fabrication shop specializing in high-quality architectural and ornamental metalwork. We take projects from concept through fabrication and installation, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, problem solving, and building things that are meant to last.

We are looking for a part-time CAD Designer / Fabrication Detailer to help turn ideas, architectural plans, field measurements, and sketches into drawings our shop can actually build from.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys CAD but also likes understanding how things are physically fabricated and assembled. You don't have to come from the metal fabrication industry, but you should be interested in learning how the things you draw get made.

What You'll Do

• Create fabrication-ready shop and detail drawings for custom metalwork
• Turn concepts, architectural drawings, sketches, and field measurements into practical designs
• Develop drawings for stairs, railings, gates, architectural metalwork, and custom fabricated components
• Detail connections, joints, welds, hardware, and assemblies
• Review drawings for potential fabrication or installation problems before they reach the shop floor
• Work directly with our fabrication team to answer questions and make drawing revisions
• Incorporate field measurements and actual site conditions into designs
• Modify and interpret architectural and engineering drawings
• Help develop efficient fabrication solutions while maintaining the design intent
• Make sure drawings are accurate, clear, and useful to the people actually building the project

How the Position Works

This position is primarily work-from-home, with regular meetings at our Valley shop.

We expect to meet at the shop approximately once a week when projects are active to:

• Review current projects and drawings
• Discuss fabrication questions or problems
• Learn how our shop builds different types of projects
• Look at completed or in-progress work
• Work through design details that are easier to solve in person

Our projects are generally bid and scheduled well in advance, so this is not an on-call position. There may occasionally be a project that requires something on shorter notice, but that would be the exception rather than the norm.

Hours will vary depending on our workload. Some weeks may have more work than others, and there is no guaranteed minimum number of hours.

CAD Software

Axis Design and Fabrication uses Onshape as our primary CAD platform.

We will provide access to Onshape and are willing to help the right candidate get comfortable with the software. Strong CAD experience in another platform is valuable; experience with Onshape is a plus but is not required.

You may use your own computer for the position.

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Strong CAD skills and attention to detail
• Ability to read and understand architectural or engineering drawings
• Ability to visualize how parts will fit together and be fabricated
• Understanding of dimensions, tolerances, scale, and clearances
• Ability to work independently while communicating effectively with the shop team
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Willingness to learn how custom metalwork is fabricated
• Ability to travel to our Valley shop for regular meetings

Experience with any of the following is a plus:

• Custom metal fabrication
• Architectural or ornamental metalwork
• Stairs and railings
• Gates and entry systems
• Structural steel
• Welding or metalworking
• Fabrication/shop drawings
• Field measurements
• CNC, laser, or plasma cutting
• SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, or similar CAD platforms
• Onshape

Who This Position Might Be a Good Fit For

This could be a great fit for someone who:

• Enjoys CAD but wants to work on real-world projects
• Likes figuring out how something should actually be built
• Has an engineering, architecture, drafting, manufacturing, or fabrication background
• Is comfortable working independently from home
• Wants a flexible part-time position rather than a traditional full-time schedule
• Enjoys problem solving and isn't afraid to ask, 'How are we actually going to build this?'
• Takes pride in producing drawings that make the fabricator's job easier

At Axis Design and Fabrication, we don't need drawings that just look good on a computer screen. They need to work on the shop floor.

This position has the potential to develop into a long-term working relationship as our design and drafting needs continue to grow.