Computer Aided Design Programmer Jobs in Washington

Job Title: CAD Designer/ Drafter

Job Description

This role focuses on creating precise 3D and 2D designs in SolidWorks to support the development of complex mechanical systems, including mooring stations and large steel support structures for aerostat platforms. You will translate concepts and sketches into production-ready models and drawings, revise existing documentation to reflect design changes, and ensure all work aligns with established engineering standards and tolerances. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to advanced surveillance and early warning systems within a professional engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed 3D CAD models in SolidWorks from initial sketches, concepts, and engineering input.
• Create accurate 2D production and assembly drawings that clearly define dimensions, tolerances, materials, and manufacturing requirements.
• Revise and update existing engineering drawings and models to incorporate design changes and improvements.
• Ensure all designs comply with internal standards, applicable industry standards, and specified tolerances.
• Support the design of mooring stations and large steel structures that hold and support aerostat systems, similar in complexity to crane and industrial machinery.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and other technical staff to resolve design challenges and optimize mechanical solutions.
• Apply knowledge of algebra, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, and strength of materials to produce robust and reliable designs.
• Incorporate manufacturing process considerations into designs to balance performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation in accordance with MIL-STD- and MIL-STD-12, and ANSI Y14.100 series standards.
• Review and verify the completeness and accuracy of drawings and models before release to manufacturing or other stakeholders.
• Communicate design intent, changes, and technical information clearly in both written and verbal form to colleagues and cross-functional teams.

Essential Skills

• Extensive hands-on experience with SolidWorks, including 3D modeling and 2D drafting.
• Experience in the design of machinery or industrial systems, particularly industrial machinery or machine design applications.
• Minimum of five years of drafting experience, including at least three years of experience on one or more CAD systems across multiple engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical/electronic, civil, or aeronautical.
• Strong skills in algebra, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, and strength of materials.
• Proficiency in creating assembly drawings and detailed mechanical design documentation.
• Good working knowledge of manufacturing processes and an understanding of how design decisions affect cost.
• Familiarity with standards for design, drafting, dimensioning, and tolerancing, including MIL-STD-, MIL-STD-12, and ANSI Y14.100 series.
• Effective written and oral communication skills to clearly convey information, ideas, and design processes.
• Ability to work exclusively in SolidWorks for all modeling and drafting tasks.
• Experience supporting industrial design or machine design projects, especially those involving large steel structures or crane-like systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting the design of large steel structures, mooring systems, or crane-like mechanical systems.
• Experience working with industrial machinery or complex mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with aerostat systems, surveillance platforms, or related aerospace or defense applications.
• Experience working within structured engineering organizations that follow formal drafting and documentation standards.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced project environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, standards-compliant drawings and models.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite 100% of the time at a headquarters location in Columbia, MD, within a professional engineering environment. The team follows a 9/80 schedule, providing nine-hour workdays with an additional day off every other week. You will work in an office and lab setting alongside engineers and technical staff, with exposure to small sub-assembly work performed on site. The environment is structured, standards-driven, and focused on the development of advanced aerostat and industrial support systems, using SolidWorks and established engineering and drafting standards as core tools.

This is a Contract position based out of Columbia, MD.

The pay range for this position is $37.02 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • 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)

This is a fully onsite position in Columbia,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.