Entrylevel Computer Aided Design Drafter Jobs in Washington, DC

Job Title: Civil Design Engineer / CAD Technician

Job Description

The Civil Design Engineer / CAD Technician will support land development projects in the Ashburn, VA area, focusing on the design of industrial, commercial, and residential subdivision layouts. Working closely with licensed professional engineers and project teams, this role uses AutoCAD and Civil 3D to produce site designs, grading plans, and stormwater management layouts for a variety of data center and land development projects.

Responsibilities

• Design industrial, commercial, and residential subdivision layouts in support of land development projects.
• Prepare civil site design plans, including grading, drainage, and stormwater management layouts.
• Utilize AutoCAD and Civil 3D software to develop detailed drawings, plans, and drafting/design documents.
• Assist project managers and senior engineers in the planning and design of hydraulic and stormwater collection systems.
• Contribute to the preparation of site plans and related documentation for commercial and residential developments.
• Collaborate closely with licensed professional engineers as an integral member of the project team.
• Support multiple projects simultaneously, managing tasks as deadlines and priorities change.
• Communicate clearly with team members to ensure deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Participate in a team-focused environment, contributing to a culture of responsiveness, honesty, and reliability.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency with AutoCAD for civil engineering and land development design work.
• Ability to work effectively with AutoCAD Civil 3D for site design, grading, and stormwater management plans.
• Degree or certification in Civil Engineering, Computer Aided Drafting and Design or related field, or 0–1 years of directly related experience.
• Ability to assist project managers and senior engineers with hydraulic and stormwater collection system design.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Flexibility in managing job tasks as deadlines and priorities change.
• Demonstrated desire to work in a collaborative team environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with stormwater management design is a plus.
• Experience preparing site plans for land development projects is a plus.
• Experience with grading design is a plus.
• Familiarity with hydraulics and related tools such as HydroCAD or similar software is beneficial.
• Versatility and ability to handle multiple tasks and projects at the same time.

Work Environment

The work environment is open, laid-back, and highly collaborative, with a strong team-first culture. The culture emphasizes responsiveness, honesty, communication, and reliability, allowing employees to create flexible schedules as long as they meet weekly deliverables and deadlines. The office promotes work/life balance and healthy, active lifestyles, and values versatility in handling multiple tasks and projects. Overtime is compensated at 0.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a week. This role offers access to a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development assistance, retirement plans, paid time off, and life insurance.

This is a Permanent position based out of Ashburn, VA.

The pay range for this position is $60000.00 - $75000.00/yr.

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.

-7 Paid Holidays-3 Liberal Leave Days-Paid Time Off (PTO) 120 hours-401k 6% match-Short Term Disability-Medical Insurance Coverage-Dental Insurance Coverage-Vision Insurance Coverage-Life Insurance-All State (Supplemental) Accident & Cancer Coverage

This is a fully onsite position in Ashburn,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 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.