Computer Aided Design Assistant Jobs in Illinois

The CAD Manager oversees and maintains transportation-focused CAD standards across the organization, with a strong emphasis on FDOT, IDOT, and MnDOT requirements. This role develops and supports Open Roads Designer (ORD) standards and workflows to enable efficient work-sharing between offices, while also contributing to production work within the transportation discipline. The CAD Manager serves as a key resource for software support, training, and knowledge management, helping to drive consistent, high-quality design output and continuous improvement in CAD practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain FDOT, IDOT, and MnDOT CAD standards across the company to ensure consistency and compliance in transportation projects.
• Assist in creating and maintaining both corporate and local CAD detail libraries to support efficient and standardized design production.
• Develop, implement, and refine Open Roads Designer (ORD) standards and workflows to promote effective work-sharing and collaboration between offices.
• Beta test software, upgrades, and add-ons prior to company-wide deployment to ensure stability, compatibility, and alignment with CAD standards.
• Assist project teams in troubleshooting software and workflow issues that arise during day-to-day operations, providing timely and practical solutions.
• Document and maintain drawing standardization procedures and CAD protocols to support consistent use of templates, layers, and file structures.
• Support E-Field booking programming and standardization to streamline data capture and integration with CAD workflows.
• Prepare renderings and project simulations that effectively communicate design intent for transportation and infrastructure projects.
• Provide application support and lead knowledge management efforts, including organizing and sharing best practices, tips, and reference materials.
• Plan, develop, and lead training sessions on CAD tools and workflows, helping users improve proficiency in Open Roads Designer, MicroStation, and related applications.
• Participate in production work within the transportation discipline, ensuring deliverables meet established CAD standards and project requirements.
• Manage and prioritize multiple short- and long-term tasks and project deadlines, balancing standards development, support, and production responsibilities.
• Collaborate with drafters and designers across multiple offices through a virtual community to align practices and share expertise in CAD standards and workflows.

• A minimum of 5 years of production CAD experience within the transportation discipline.
• Proficiency in Open Roads Designer (ORD) for transportation and roadway design applications.
• Proficiency in MicroStation for transportation, roadway, and infrastructure design.
• Demonstrated capability to perform production work within a specific transportation discipline.
• Experience maintaining and applying CAD standards for transportation and infrastructure projects.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and project deadlines.
• Ability to train, develop, and teach others in CAD software and workflows.
• Experience with transportation design, roadway design, and infrastructure design using CAD tools.
• Ability to troubleshoot CAD software and workflow issues in a production environment.

• Knowledge of National CAD Standard documents is a plus.
• Technical writing and documentation skills are a plus, particularly for recording standards and procedures.
• Experience preparing renderings and project simulations for transportation or infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with E-Field booking programming and standardization.
• Experience working with FDOT, IDOT, MnDOT, or similar transportation agency CAD standards.
• Experience contributing to or leading CAD standards development and implementation across multiple offices.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, virtual community of drafters and designers.

This role supports a growing transportation practice, with significant project work involving IDOT, tollway, and related transportation initiatives. The position functions as a CAD Manager without direct reports, focusing on CAD standards, standardized trainings, and hands-on production work. The role is based in the Rosemont office, supporting the transportation team. While there are no other drafters physically located in this office, the CAD Manager collaborates closely with a network of drafters across the company through a virtual community. The organization operates on a hybrid schedule, typically three days in the office and two days working from home, with flexibility to choose in-office days; many team members choose to be in the office on Wednesdays. The work environment emphasizes technically excellent, innovative, and highly motivated professionals, offering challenging and rewarding work, opportunities for personal and professional growth, and a culture built on loyalty, service, quality, and integrity.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $93600.00 - $124800.00/yr.

Training, Mentorship, and Leadership Development Programs Tuition Reimbursement A team atmosphere dedicated to open communication and collaboration Flexible Schedule/Remote work options Embed yourself in the community by participating in numerous outside activities that GRAEF endorses and supports Medical/Dental/Audio/Visual Insurance Paid Time Off Life Insurance Short and Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Plans Retirement Savings Plan Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Corporate Casual Dress

This is a hybrid position in Chicago,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 21, 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.

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