Technical Illustrator / CAD Designer

Valar Atomics; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Valar Atomics is seeking a Technical Illustrator and CAD Designer to transform complex assemblies into clear technical illustrations and documentation. The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of experience in CAD, a strong understanding of GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and proficiency in SolidWorks. The role involves creating work instructions, maintaining assembly procedures, and collaborating closely with engineers to ensure documentation accurately reflects manufacturing processes. The position offers a salary between $95,000 and $130,000.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in CAD and technical illustration required.
• Strong familiarity with real-world manufacturing processes is essential.
• Experience with PDM and PLM systems is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed technical illustrations and work instructions.
• Develop and maintain assembly procedures from 3D models.
• Modify drawings ensuring compliance with ASME standards.

Skills

Technical Illustration

CAD Design

GD&T knowledge

SolidWorks proficiency

CNC machining understanding

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

About Valar Atomics

At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.

The Role

We're looking for a skilled Technical Illustrator and CAD Designer to join our engineering documentation team. You'll transform complex mechanical and electromechanical assemblies into clear, production-ready technical illustrations, work instructions, and 3D documentation that support manufacturing, service, and training operations. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable inside a CAD environment and an illustration workflow—someone who takes pride in visual clarity, understands how assemblies fit together, and can communicate complex technical information to both engineering and non-engineering audiences. The role requires strong familiarity with real-world manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, and assembly) so that documentation accurately reflects how parts are actually made, finished, and verified on the shop floor. Candidates must also demonstrate strong working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5, the ability to identify and document drawing deviations, and experience revising drawings to meet ASME codes and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Create detailed technical illustrations, exploded views, assembly sequences, and callout graphics.
• Develop and maintain work instructions usable on the shop floor, and produce installation guides and assembly procedures from 3D models.
• Use SolidWorks Composer (or equivalent) for technical illustrations.
• Create and modify 3D models and 2D drawings, generating drawings with proper GD&T and BOMs.
• Support prototype builds and documentation, and develop drawings reflecting CNC machining, lathe work, and fabrication.
• Incorporate tooling access, datum structure, and finishes into drawings, and collaborate with machinists and technicians on machined and pressure-containing hardware documentation.
• Document CNC milling, turning, and lathe processes, and define finishes, coatings, and heat treatments.
• Create documentation for sheet metal and welding, and support pressure vessel fabrication and testing (hydro, leak).
• Align documentation with inspection and tolerance requirements.
• Apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and review and revise drawings for compliance.
• Document deviations and corrective actions, and support pressure vessel documentation in accordance with ASME Section VIII.

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

• You take pride in visual clarity and produce illustrations and documentation that engineers, machinists, and technicians can actually use.
• You bring strong GD&T fluency to your work, treating ASME Y14.5 as a functional engineering language rather than a notation exercise.
• You understand how parts are actually made, inspected, and assembled, and your documentation reflects shop-floor reality.
• You move fluidly between CAD modeling and illustration workflows, choosing the right tool for each output.
• You collaborate effectively with engineers, machinists, and technicians to capture the intent and detail of complex assemblies.
• You hold a high bar for accuracy and traceability, ensuring drawings and revisions are clean, compliant, and current.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in CAD and technical illustration.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent.
• Strong GD&T knowledge per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience with PDM and PLM systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Understanding of CNC machining and lathe operations.
• Familiarity with sheet metal fabrication.
• Experience with coatings and finishes.
• Exposure to pressure vessel systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• SolidWorks Composer experience.
• Aerospace or energy industry background.
• Experience with PLM tools such as Teamcenter or Windchill.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator.
• Direct experience working with machine shops and understanding CNC workflows and machinability.
• Experience documenting weldments or pressure systems.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

Salary

$95,000—$130,000 USD