Technician in Training, Design Support

WSP in the U.S.; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA in the United States is seeking an entry-level design support professional to assist with drafting and design activities on transportation and infrastructure projects. You will help collect data from sites, prepare drawings with 3D CADD software, and produce accurate design deliverables under direct supervision.

This role emphasizes precision, adherence to standards, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• 0–2 years’ experience in drafting or design support.
• Basic understanding of drafting and design support principles.
• Familiarity with codes, regulations, and documentation practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Able to learn new techniques, follow instructions, and comply with company policies.

Responsibilities

• Assist with collecting, compiling, and analyzing site data and drawings.
• Use 3D CAD software to prepare basic design drawings with precision.
• Provide entry-level design assistance ensuring proper illustration, fit, form, and function.
• Verify calculations and interpret contract plans and specs, escalate issues as needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute project work.
• Ensure dimensions, materials, and procedures meet contract requirements.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and policies.
• Perform additional duties as required by business needs.

Skills

CADD software

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma

Associate’s degree preferred

Tools

3D CADD software

Microsoft Office / spreadsheets

Job description

This Opportunity

Under direct supervision, provides technical design and CADD support on projects to produce designs and specifications to be used for planning, transportation, infrastructure, and technical services business lines. Tasks may include assisting and receiving training in developing skills with CADD design on basic projects. Generates accurate and concise design phase deliverables regarding assigned aspects of the project. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, accuracy, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Under direct supervision, assist with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, structural concepts, blueprints, schematics, data, verbal or written specifications, technical drawings, rough sketches, diagrams, and other matrices to support drafting and design activities.
• Under direct supervision, use 3D computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software to assist with basic design details and prepare drawings which require a high degree of precision.
• Provide entry-level technical design assistance that accounts for the proper illustration, fit form, and function using geometric dimensioning, tolerance and quantity calculations, while ensuring the construction and maintainability of designs according to design standard specifications.
• Assist with verifying calculations, design, change orders, interpretation of contract plans and specifications, and escalating any issues or technical problems for appropriate resolution.
• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work.
• Ensure the specification of dimensions, materials, and procedures for assigned projects, ensuring compliance with contract requirements.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• 0-2 years’ experience.
• General awareness of drafting and design support principles, practices, process, methods and techniques.
• General awareness of relevant codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, and comply with company policies.
• Ability to work independently under supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in closely related discipline is preferred.

About WSP

ABOUT US

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice To Third Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.