Computer Aided Design Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR

Why DOWL?
DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued—we support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Transportation Planning and Design

Join our dynamic team of transportation planners and designers dedicated to creating innovative, practical solutions that improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility. Collaborating closely with our traffic engineers, you'll help develop and implement roadway improvements that solve immediate traffic challenges while supporting long-term community goals. If you're passionate about shaping smarter, safer transportation systems, we’d love you to be a part of our team!

Bring your CAD expertise to a team where your skills will make a real impact. We’re looking for a CAD Drafter 3 to support a variety of civil engineering, permitting, and survey-related projects using CAD software and Civil3D. In this role, you’ll be responsible for delivering high-quality drafting services while applying your intermediate to advanced drafting proficiency in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. We're seeking candidates who demonstrate strong judgment, excellent organizational skills, and a solid work ethic. As a CAD Drafter 3, you'll be expected to work well with others, respond positively to constructive feedback, and continue expanding your knowledge with the support of experienced team members. If you're ready to take on meaningful work and grow within a supportive and technically driven team, we encourage you to apply.

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Proficient
• Bluebeam Revu - Proficient
• Revit and/or other BIM software - Preferred
• Proficient in one or both major civil engineering CAD Platforms (Autodesk and Civil 3D; or Microstation)

• Intermediate understanding of technical fundamentals
• Performs moderately complex drafting tasks independently
• Provides quality control of basic deliverables

Team player who is able to follow on large, complex projects and lead a small team on simple tasks. Anticipates the needs of other technical disciplines and takes responsibility for their results. Follows established practice area workflows.

• Produces the following independently:
  • Plan sheets
  • Exhibits
• Back checks all redlines and instructions have been incorporated
• Reviews all assigned deliverables for consistency
• Compiles, updates, and reviews milestone submittal plan sets

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects.

Understands and employs the following drafting standards:

• Drafting fundamentals
• CAD standards for DOWL and DOWL clients (e.g., Cities, Counties, States, Federal)
• Accurately interpreting redlines and updating CAD drawings and details
• Creating new sheets for projects and keeping work product organized in multiple layered files (e.g., xrefs)

Frequent client communications. Resolves issues on small projects. Attends client meetings. Consistently uses situationally appropriate communication tools (e.g., email versus phone versus in-person).

Other duties as assigned.

Performs moderate to advanced levels of drafting work on larger and more complex projects as assigned by the market sector. Operates with a moderate level of autonomy.

• Associate's Degree preferred
• Years of experience required: 4 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 3 years

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to create and interpret graphs and understand statistical analysis.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.  Position may include periodic site visits and inspection work on project sites.