Senior CAD Designer

USA Donaldson Company Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Donaldson Company, Inc. in Bloomington, MN is seeking a Senior CAD Designer in the Aerospace and Defense department to advance CAD models and drawings for customer projects.

This senior role requires learning Donaldson products and aligning with business unit goals while applying ASME/ASTM standards. You will collaborate with global teams, handle PPAP/SPAP processes, and contribute to advanced design methods using NX or SolidWorks and PLM systems, with 4+ days per week at the Bloomington office.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with 5+ years in design, drafting or mechanical roles.
• 3+ years of experience using CAD software.
• AAS Degree in Engineering or CAD expertise with NX (preferred).
• Experience with SolidWorks (preferred).
• Knowledge of PLM systems (Siemens Teamcenter preferred).
• Ability to access systems storing or transmitting FCI/CUI data.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Execution: Collaborate with global teams; prioritize customer-focused design inputs; develop project milestones and communicate progress.
• Business Processes & Compliance: Contribute to PPAP and SPAP; ensure ECN compliance; apply Donaldson EN and DBOS standards.
• Technical & Design Methods: Design layouts, validate specs, and support basic media testing; apply GD&T and design for manufacturability.

Skills

CAD software

NX

SolidWorks

PLM systems

Siemens Teamcenter

GD&T

ASME/ASTM standards

Sheet metal fabrication

Electrical routing

Prototyping

Education

AAS Degree in Engineering

Engineering degree

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Siemens Teamcenter

PLM systems

CFD tools

FEA

Job description

Donaldson is committed to solving the world's most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities. We are actively searching for a Senior CAD Designer to work within the Aerospace and Defense department at Donaldson.

This role will be responsible for working with other designers and engineers on projects with the outcome of CAD models and drawings to support our customers. This Senior-level role is the expected to learn our products and processes and strategically align with our business unit goals. This position requires industry knowledge of design and drafting standards such as ASME along with familiarity with ASTM material specifications and standards. Knowledge of manufacturing capabilities, such as sheet metal, machining, casting, and some plastics, is strongly preferred. Qualified candidates must be able to work a minimum of four days per week at our Bloomington, MN office.

Role Responsibilities

This position will focus on three key areas:

• Leadership & Execution: Collaborate with global teams by influencing alignment on shared goals; prioritize customer focus in design inputs through meetings and discussions; mediate conflicts constructively with proactive escalation prevention Develop initial project plans with milestones; facilitate team communication; identify basic risks Apply listening skills to incorporate diverse inputs; create concise written reports as needed; deliver presentations on mid-sized projects as needed
• Business Processes & Compliance: Contribute to full PPAP and SPAP processes for projects and ensure ECN compliance Apply existing Donaldson EN and DBOS standards to all design work and projects Participate in design reviews, practicing objectivity and speaking up on simple observations
• Technical & Design Methods: Foundational application and knowledge of standard media configuration; reviewing datasheets for compatibility and flow rates; support basic media testing in lab as required Foundational understanding of dust and water separation and filtration under guidance from senior engineers Design complete system layouts from existing templates ensuring that basic specs and cost considerations are met; contribute to problem-solving in team discussions Basic knowledge of sealing and fasteners and understanding material types and specifications that affect both Awareness and recognition of IP concepts and simple value proposition in team ideation for small projects Active involvement with prototype creation, including basic material selection, assembly, and test fixturing Independently design basic electrical systems, including CAD harness pathways and electrical routing Foundation knowledge of plastic parts including injection-molded parts using templates on small projects Advanced sheet metal knowledge and practices, including bend allowances, reliefs, and basic material thickness for mid-sized features Design Intent for complex models and assemblies including DFM, advanced sketches, tolerances, basic simulation and rendering, master models, equations, design rules, edits, and integration with Donaldson PLM systems Basic knowledge of CFD tools; generate simple fluid volumes within CAD under engineer guidance; awareness of failure modes, fatigue, and stress in FEA contexts Thorough ASME knowledge, including ASTM standards; interpreting CTQ and key characteristics; perform tolerance stack-ups per Donaldson standards; review FAI reports; communicating with suppliers; leading advanced drawing reviews Advanced understanding and application of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma 5+ years of experience in design, drafting, or mechanical roles
• 3+ years of experience using design software or CAD software

Preferred Qualifications

• AAS Degree in Engineering or CAD Expertise with NX and/or must be driven and willing to learn this CAD system (primary CAD for A&D)
• Experience with SolidWorks is preferred as well (secondary CAD for A&D)
• Understanding of standard PLM systems and how they interact with CAD; experience with Siemens Teamcenter would be highly preferred
• Position requires access to systems storing or transmitting FCI/CUI data.

Annual Salary Range: $63,120 - $78,900. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to applicable work experience, training, education, and performance.

Employee Benefits

Employee benefits are part of the competitive total rewards package that Donaldson Company, Inc. provides to you.

• Our comprehensive benefits program includes health benefits, retirement plan (401k), paid time away, paid leaves (including paid parental leave) and more.

Immigration Sponsorship Not Available

Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.). Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position. International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.

Donaldson Company helps solve some of the world's most complex filtration and contamination control challenges, and is one of the largest global providers of unique filtration technologies and high-quality filters and parts. Our filtration technologies and products are used every day, in a variety of industries and environments, including aerospace, agriculture, construction, food and beverage, manufacturing, mining, power generation, transportation and many more. Key to our success, our 14,000 employees support customers at sales, manufacturing and distribution centers from over 140 locations on six continents. The filtration market continues to grow. Customers' needs for filtration solutions continue to evolve. And the opportunities for our products and our people continue to expand.

Learn more at www.donaldson.com.