Computer Aided Design Manager Jobs in California

We are looking to add a Principal CAD Designer to our team. If you are great at what you do, enjoy working in a startup environment, and are passionate about developing leading-edge hardware for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you.

In this position, you will be responsible for providing advanced CAD design and drafting support throughout the product development lifecycle. This role develops, modifies, and maintains detailed 3D models, engineering drawings, and technical documentation while ensuring accuracy, configuration control, and compliance with engineering standards.

The Principal CAD Designer serves as a key technical resource supporting engineering teams through design execution, product data management, engineering change implementation, and continuous improvement of CAD processes and documentation practices. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical expertise in SolidWorks, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex design data in a fast-paced development environment.

• Provide advanced CAD drafting and design support throughout the product development lifecycle using SolidWorks.
• Generate, modify, and maintain detailed 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and associated technical documentation.
• Ensure drawings and models comply with engineering standards, drafting practices, GD&T requirements, and company documentation procedures.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to support design development and product release activities.
• Support prototype, development, and production design updates as required.
• Manage and maintain mechanical CAD files, engineering drawings, and digital design documentation within Product Data Management (PDM) systems.
• Administer file structures, version control, and drawing release processes within SolidWorks PDM.
• Prepare, process, and incorporate Engineering Change Orders (ECOs/ECRs) into released documentation packages.
• Maintain accurate bill of material (BOM) structures and associated hardware configurations.
• Ensure proper configuration control and traceability of engineering documentation.
• Review CAD models and drawings for completeness, manufacturability, accuracy, and compliance with design requirements.
• Identify design issues, drawing discrepancies, configuration conflicts, and support corrective actions.
• Partner with engineers and cross-functional teams to resolve technical drafting and documentation concerns.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action implementation related to drawing or documentation errors.
• Support standardization and continuous improvement of CAD processes, templates, libraries, and documentation workflows.
• Assist in developing drafting standards, best practices, and internal design procedures.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior designers or drafters as needed.
• Support departmental initiatives focused on efficiency, data integrity, and documentation quality.
• Ability to analyze detailed technical drawings and engineering data.
• Ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time.
• Ability to maintain focus and accuracy while managing complex documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Primarily office and engineering development environment.
• Frequent collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams.
• Fast-paced product development environment with changing priorities and deadlines

• Associate’s degree or technical certification in Drafting, Design Technology, Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, or related field preferred
• 7+ years of progressive CAD design and drafting experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, engineering, or product development environment.
• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, including part modeling, assemblies, and engineering drawing creation.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, mechanical drafting standards, and engineering documentation best practices.
• Proficiency with technical diagramming and drafting tools such as DraftSight, Lucidchart, Draw.io, or equivalent applications.
• Experience using issue tracking and workflow management tools such as Jira or similar systems.
• Knowledge of engineering change control processes and configuration management principles.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications, manufacturing requirements, and technical documentation.
• Experience creating and managing bill of materials (BOM) structures and hardware documentation.
• Exposure to ERP and PLM systems preferred, including SAP, Windchill, ENOVIA, or similar platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills related to CAD models and engineering documentation workflows.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to documentation accuracy.