Design Drafter

About the role

We are seeking a detail-oriented Mechanical Design Drafter to support the design and development of industrial equipment within a manufacturing environment. This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chattanooga, TN, requiring full‑time onsite work. In this role, you will create and modify engineering drawings, develop 3D models, and provide accurate documentation that supports engineering teams and drives design improvements.

Responsibilities

• Create and modify 2D drawings and 3D models using AutoCAD and 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or similar tools.
• Develop detailed, assembly, and layout drawings for mechanical systems and industrial equipment.
• Interpret engineering requirements, specifications, and technical documents to produce accurate and complete designs.
• Generate and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and related engineering documentation.
• Perform basic engineering calculations, including dimensions, tolerances, materials, and weight estimates.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to refine and improve mechanical designs.
• Support design changes, revisions, and product updates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure all designs meet applicable quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the design and drafting function.
• Manage multiple design and drafting projects simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Skills

• Proven experience with AutoCAD for 2D drafting in a mechanical design environment.
• Hands‑on experience with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or comparable tools for 3D modeling and assemblies.
• Experience in mechanical drafting, mechanical design, or engineering technology.
• Demonstrated ability to create detailed drawings, assemblies, and 3D models for mechanical systems and equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from blueprints, technical drawings, and engineering specifications.
• Exposure to manufacturing or industrial environments and an understanding of how designs translate to production.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy across multiple concurrent projects.
• Solid organizational and documentation skills for managing BOMs and engineering records.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $27.64 - $45.35/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Benefits

• 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)