3D Modeling, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Bill of Materials (BOM), CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Candidate Screening, Capability Maturity Model (CMM), Continuous Improvement, Data Entry, Design Services, Detail Oriented, Distribution Services, Documentation, Documentation Models, Electronic Design Automation, Engineering Drawing, Genetics, Geometry, High School Diploma, Hospital, Illustrating Ability, Industry Standards, Industry/Trade Analysis, MES Software, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Methods, Mechanical Assembly, Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering, Organizational Skills, Performance Modeling, Power Transmission, Process Manufacturing, Process Modeling, Product Data Management (PDM), Product Engineering, Product Management, Product Support, Quality Management, Requirements Management, Sales, Schematics, Software Engineering, SolidWorks, Standards Development, Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), Support Documentation, Team Player, Technical Drawing, Technical/Engineering Design, Warehousing, Web Client Plug-ins
Job Title: SolidWorks Mechanical Drafter / Designer
Job Description
The SolidWorks Mechanical Drafter / Designer is responsible for creating, modifying, and maintaining detailed technical drawings and 2D/3D models for a broad product portfolio. Working closely with the engineering team, this role develops engineered solutions that meet customer requirements and align with industry trends, while helping standardize and consolidate products into SolidWorks. The position requires a blend of collaborative project work and independent execution of daily drafting tasks, with a strong focus on accuracy, configurability, and manufacturability.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the engineering team to define product specifications, ensure manufacturability, and address technical aspects of mechanical products.
- Create accurate technical drawings, manufacturing schematics, and 2D and 3D digital models of mechanical assemblies, adhering to geometry constraints, specifications, and application parameters.
- Facilitate, update, and maintain the existing product drawing database to align with company-wide drawing and engineering standards.
- Use Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks software daily to efficiently develop, refine, and document detailed mechanical concepts and illustrations.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for drafting in SolidWorks and guide the engineering team on effective utilization of SolidWorks and related tools.
- Support conceptual development of non-standard projects and adapt industry-standard units to meet unique customer needs.
- Help consolidate all catalog products into SolidWorks by creating technical drawings and models that support multiple sizes and configurable options.
- Work with SolidWorks plug-ins and configuration tools to enable product customization by sales and customers, including inputting data and bills of materials (BOMs) into configuration systems.
- Provide drafting and design examples, such as CAD models and documentation samples, to demonstrate capabilities and support continuous improvement in design automation.
- Contribute ideas and examples of efficiencies in CAD and SolidWorks to help automate the design process and configure models for product variations.
- Ensure all drafting work is highly detailed, accurate, and properly documented to support manufacturing, quality, and product management.
- Collaborate with application engineering, product engineering, and quality teams to ensure drawings and models meet performance and quality expectations.
Essential Skills
- Associate degree in Mechanical Drafting or Engineering Technology and at least 3 years of mechanical drafting experience, or a high school diploma and at least 5 years of mechanical drafting experience.
- Mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial industry work experience.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, including strong 3D modeling and mechanical drafting capabilities.
- Experience with SolidWorks PDM (Product Data Management) for managing models, drawings, and related data.
- SolidWorks certification (CSWA - Certified SolidWorks Associate).
- Ability to create and interpret detailed technical drawings, schematics, and mechanical assemblies.
- Strong attention to detail, particularly when inputting data and BOMs into configuration and PDM systems.
- Capability to provide CAD and drafting examples, including design and documentation samples, to demonstrate skills.
- Experience working in a collaborative engineering environment while also managing independent drafting tasks.
- Familiarity with configuration-driven design workflows and using design automation tools in conjunction with SolidWorks.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Familiarity with SolidWorks configuration tools and plug-ins used for design-for-configuration workflows.
- Preferred experience in the bearings industry or with mechanical power transmission components.
- CSWP (Certified SolidWorks Professional) certification is a plus.
- Experience with raw materials production processes and manufacturing techniques.
- Experience in high-SKU environments, supporting large product catalogs with multiple sizes and options.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and implement efficiencies in CAD and SolidWorks to automate design processes and configure models for variations.
- Strong documentation skills, including the ability to produce clear, organized drawings and supporting materials.
- Comfort working in a small, growing engineering team with evolving processes and systems.
Work Environment
The role is based in a new, modern facility that includes a very nice office space and a large warehouse operating at about half capacity, providing room for growth. You will work within a small but expanding engineering team that includes application engineering, product engineering, and a quality team with CMM capabilities, with plans to grow from approximately five engineers to ten in the near future. The organization manages a large product catalog of around 100,000 SKUs, bringing products from overseas and distributing through multiple U.S. distribution centers. The culture is laid-back and supports good work-life balance, with opportunities for hybrid work and schedule flexibility. The environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in engineering and drafting practices, using SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, and related configuration tools as core technologies.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Charlotte, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
- Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
- 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.