Mechanical Designer/drafter

About the role

The Mechanical Designer / Drafter will focus primarily on creating detailed part, weldment, and assembly drawings for mechanical equipment using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. The role centers on developing accurate drawings and Bills of Materials for components such as drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic and hydraulic equipment, with an emphasis on parts and assemblies rather than complete systems.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed part, weldment, and assembly drawings for mechanical equipment using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.
• Create fabrication drawings for components including drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic and hydraulic equipment, with a focus on parts and assemblies rather than full systems.
• Interpret existing drawings, identify required changes, and revise or update designs to meet current project requirements and standards.
• Prepare installation drawings and ensure all title block and drawing information complies with internal drafting and engineering standards.
• Generate accurate Bills of Materials and specify required materials such as sheet metal, structural steel, bearings, reducers, hardware, and related components.
• Research and review previous job documentation and drawing archives to identify reference designs and opportunities for reuse.
• Review job information provided on internal job sheets and accurately enter, maintain, and track job data within internal engineering databases.
• Support the fabrication shop by answering questions, resolving design issues, and ensuring that drawings are clear, complete, and manufacturable.
• Perform measurements of equipment components and assemblies, including at customer sites, for reverse-engineering or validation of existing equipment.
• Communicate with customers and internal teams to clarify project details, equipment requirements, and any missing or ambiguous information.
• Follow established engineering workflow procedures for drawing creation, checking, approval, archiving, and release for fabrication.
• Collaborate with team members on coordinated engineering tasks and shared projects to ensure consistent and timely project execution.
• Perform engineering filing, data entry, and general documentation management to keep project records accurate and organized.
• Work additional hours as needed during the busy season from October to March to meet project and customer deadlines.
• Travel up to approximately 15% of the time to customer sites to take measurements and gather design information.

Requirements

• Strong proficiency with AutoCAD and the ability to comfortably use it for approximately 75% of daily work.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor and the ability to comfortably use it for approximately 25% of daily work.
• Hands-on experience creating part drawings, assembly drawings, and fabrication drawings for mechanical equipment.
• Experience producing steel fabrication drawings, typically working with material thicknesses of 1/4 inch or greater.
• A high attention to detail with a commitment to producing accurate, clear, and complete drawings and documentation.
• A willingness to contribute wherever needed within the engineering and fabrication process to support team and project needs.
• An ability to work independently, stay focused for extended periods at a CAD workstation, and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication skills to interact with internal teams, fabrication personnel, and customers regarding design details and requirements.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience using Autodesk Inventor is highly desirable.
• An associate degree in drafting or an equivalent technical education is preferred.
• Experience working in a fabrication environment is very helpful, particularly in steel fabrication.
• Familiarity with mechanical design practices for drying equipment, conveyors, air filtration systems, and pneumatic or hydraulic equipment is beneficial.
• Experience working within structured engineering workflows for drawing checking, approval, and release is an advantage.
• A strong organizational skills and comfort with engineering data entry, filing, and documentation management.
• An ability to manage multiple projects or job files simultaneously while meeting deadlines, especially during peak seasons.

Skills

• AutoCAD
• Autodesk Inventor
• Part drawings
• Assembly drawings
• Fabrication drawings
• Steel fabrication
• Reverse-engineering
• Customer site measurements
• Communication

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)

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $32.00/hr.

Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Louisville, KY.