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Drafter Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Associate Engineer Drafter

Reston, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for an Engineer Drafter in Reston, Virginia. In this role, you will create and modify detailed part, assembly, installation, and facility engineering drawings using ...

CAD/Revit Drafter - Level II (Hourly - $42.50 to $52.00) Position Title : CAD/Revit Drafter - Level II Reports To : BIM Manager Location : On-Site (Client Facility, National Capital Region) Security ...

CAD/Revit Drafter - Level II (Hourly - $42.50 to $52.00) Position Title: CAD/Revit Drafter - Level II Reports To: BIM Manager Location: On-Site (Client Facility, National Capital Region) Security ...

The Drafter/Submittal Engineer will provide support of multiple projects and tasks as directed by the Engineering Manager and team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Record and track the ...

The Drafter/Submittal Engineer will provide support of multiple projects and tasks as directed by the Engineering Manager and team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Record and track the ...

Be our next Traffic Control Designer/Drafter! Your work environment at EXP In this role you will be a part of the Infrastructure and Transportation team and have the opportunity to work on a broad ...

Be our next Traffic Control Designer/Drafter! Your work environment at EXP In this role you will be a part of the Infrastructure and Transportation team and have the opportunity to work on a broad ...

Showing results 21-40

Drafter information

See Reston, VA salary details

$15

$27

$45

How much do drafter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for drafter in Reston, VA is $27.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.02 and $31.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a drafter do?

A drafter uses computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software to create plans for manufacturing, construction, or engineering projects. Your duties in this career involve working to create computer-aided drawings that include all necessary details and technical specifications. You may use specifications from an architect if you are drafting for buildings, an industrial designer if you are creating plans for products, or an engineer if you are making plans for engineering projects or structures. Your responsibilities also include making changes or correcting existing drawings under the direction of the architect or engineer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drafter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drafter, you need strong spatial visualization, technical drawing abilities, and a background in engineering or architectural principles, often backed by an associate's degree or drafting certification. Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software such as AutoCAD, Revit, or SolidWorks is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help drafters collaborate with engineers and architects and ensure design accuracy. These skills are crucial for producing precise technical drawings that guide construction and manufacturing projects successfully.

How does a drafter typically collaborate with engineers and architects during a project's lifecycle?

Drafters work closely with engineers and architects by translating their concepts and sketches into detailed technical drawings and plans. Throughout a project's lifecycle, drafters often participate in meetings to clarify design intent, update drawings based on feedback, and ensure all specifications are accurately represented. Effective communication and attention to detail are essential, as drafters must coordinate revisions and address any design or structural issues that arise. This collaborative workflow helps ensure that the final construction documents align with both regulatory standards and client expectations.

What is the difference between Drafter vs CAD Technician?

AspectDrafterCAD Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical trainingHigh school diploma; technical training or certification in CAD software
Work EnvironmentArchitectural, engineering, manufacturing settingsDesign firms, engineering companies, manufacturing industries
Job FocusCreating technical drawings based on specificationsDeveloping, editing, and managing CAD models and drawings
Tools UsedManual drafting tools, CAD softwarePrimarily CAD software like AutoCAD, Revit

Both Drafters and CAD Technicians create technical drawings, but Drafters focus more on manual and traditional drafting methods, while CAD Technicians specialize in digital CAD modeling and editing. The roles often overlap, but CAD Technicians tend to have more advanced skills in CAD software, making them more involved in digital design processes.

What is a drafter?

Drafters are professionals who use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create technical drawings and plans used by engineers, architects, and construction workers. Their drawings detail the specifications, dimensions, and materials necessary for building everything from machinery to buildings. Drafters often specialize in fields such as architectural, civil, mechanical, or electrical drafting, depending on the industry. They play a crucial role in transforming design concepts into precise, workable diagrams for manufacturing or construction.
What are the most commonly searched types of Drafter jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Drafter jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Drafter jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Drafter job openings:
Infographic showing various Drafter job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $58,116 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Associate Engineer Drafter

Leidos

Reston, VA • On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 485 rated business services


Job description

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for an Engineer Drafter in Reston, Virginia. In this role, you will create and modify detailed part, assembly, installation, and facility engineering drawings using established references, standard data, and engineering best practices. Work is performed using computer-aided design and modeling tools, including CAD, CAM, CATIA, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
The successful candidate will develop technical solutions that require collaboration with subject matter experts, in-depth analysis, and a thorough understanding of impacts to the final product or solution. This position demands creativity, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to solve complex problems where complete information may not be available. Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality are essential.
You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of government and contractor personnel in a fast-paced, high-energy environment within a secure government facility.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • As part of a characterization team, integrate all-source intelligence, geotechnical data, topographical data, underground infrastructure expertise, and engineering principles to identify and model facility functions (missions) and physical configurations, including layouts, structures, mission systems, support systems, and associated components.
  • Develop detailed 3D BIM models and 2D CAD drawings across multiple engineering disciplines.
  • Perform clash detection and coordination among engineering disciplines by reviewing models to identify and resolve conflicts before design completion.
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance project-specific and enterprise BIM libraries, including custom families, templates, metadata, and annotations.
  • Audit models to ensure data integrity, spatial accuracy, compliance with Level of Development (LOD) requirements, and adherence to organizational BIM, modeling, and simulation standards.
  • Generate customer-required documentation, including technical reports, detailed measurements, material schedules, cross-sections, and other deliverables directly from BIM models.
  • Participate in model coordination meetings with clients, stakeholders, and cross-functional project teams.
  • Execute detailed layout and design drawings in accordance with established engineering drafting standards and practices.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience
  • Active TS/SCI clearance, or an active Top Secret clearance with a current SSBI and eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI with polygraph.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles, theories, concepts, and technical expertise within a specialized domain, with a broad understanding of related disciplines.
  • Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience. Additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • Experience in Civil, Structural, Protective Engineering, or another discipline directly applicable to Building Information Modeling (BIM).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief and interact effectively with senior government and organizational leaders.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Working knowledge of protective engineering principles and physical force protection measures.
  • Experience with Autodesk Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD, and BIM software, methodologies, and best practices.
  • Experience with VENTSIM, ETAP, or other infrastructure modeling and simulation tools.
  • Military, intelligence community, or defense-related experience.
  • Construction experience, particularly involving mission-critical facilities, tunneling, underground structures, or large-scale excavations.
  • Experience with design reviews, engineering modifications, specifications development, dimensioning, and document management.
  • Experience developing and implementing BIM-related workflows, standards, and processes.

#ASBA
#Snakehead
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
June 2, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $73,450.00 - $132,775.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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