Drafter Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Drafter

Job Description

The Mechanical Drafter develops and maintains detailed mechanical design documentation in support of unmanned systems, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). This role translates engineering concepts, sketches, and models into accurate 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, and production-ready documentation. The Mechanical Drafter collaborates closely with mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineers to ensure designs are properly documented, manufacturable, and scalable for production across structural components, propulsion integration, payload systems, launch systems, and other critical subsystems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and mechanical drawings for UAV and USV platforms.
• Translate engineering concepts, sketches, analysis results, and high-level napkin sketches into complete mechanical documentation packages suitable for vendors and manufacturing partners.
• Create detailed component and assembly drawings that clearly define tolerances, material thicknesses, materials, finishes, and manufacturing notes.
• Generate and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and other documentation required to support manufacturing and procurement activities.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineers to ensure accurate system integration and complete, consistent documentation across subsystems.
• Review engineering designs and drawings to ensure compliance with internal standards, specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Identify manufacturability challenges and work with engineering and production teams to refine and improve designs.
• Update and revise CAD models and drawings to support design changes, prototyping iterations, and production improvements.
• Support prototype builds, system integration, and testing by maintaining accurate, current, and configuration-controlled design documentation.
• Maintain drawing standards, CAD libraries, and documentation best practices to ensure consistency and quality across projects.
• Ensure that considerations such as forces, loading, tolerances, material thicknesses, and material definitions are accurately captured in final prints.
• Manage large CAD assemblies and ensure configuration control of documentation throughout the product lifecycle.

Essential Skills

• Associate degree in Mechanical Drafting, Mechanical Design Technology, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 5+ years of experience creating mechanical CAD models and technical drawings in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Advanced mechanical drafting and 3D CAD modeling skills.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Solid Edge, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of mechanical assemblies, materials, tolerancing, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing complex assemblies and system-level mechanical drawings.
• Strong understanding of mechanical tolerancing, fits, and GD&T principles (preferred).
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, composite structures, and additive manufacturing.
• Ability to manage large CAD assemblies and maintain configuration-controlled documentation with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and configuration management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering documentation tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple design documentation tasks in a fast-paced development environment.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other complex electromechanical systems (preferred).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on unmanned systems such as UAVs and USVs or similar complex platforms.
• Mechanical focus and comfort translating high-level engineering sketches, including force and loading considerations, into detailed vendor-ready prints.
• Familiarity with Teamcenter or similar product lifecycle management (PLM) tools.
• Experience with composite structures and additive manufacturing in a production or prototyping environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high documentation accuracy and consistency across multiple projects.
• Interest in working on mission-critical, nationally significant programs in an agile engineering environment.

Work Environment

The role supports a flexible work schedule, including flexible work hours and a 9/80 work week. The local team includes a small, focused group of mechanical engineers and drafters, creating an environment where collaboration is direct and communication is efficient. Engineers and drafters work in an agile, well-funded setting that values engineering judgment over bureaucracy and provides real technical ownership and creative freedom. Teams have direct access to advanced tools and technology, including in-house 3D printing, and can quickly secure the resources they need without typical supply-chain delays. The work centers on mission-critical, nationally significant programs where contributions are highly visible, and team members can move quickly, innovate, and see the tangible impact of their work.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $54.00/hr.

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 Rockville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 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.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.