1

Technical Drafting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Director of Technical Production What Is the Drafting Manager The Drafting Manager is responsible for owning and coordinating all technical drafting efforts across live events, experiential ...

Job Summary Provides technical drafting support for engineering and design projects within the VA healthcare system.Key Responsibilities * Produce and update CAD drawings and technical plans

Job Summary Provides technical drafting support for engineering and design projects within the VA healthcare system. Key Responsibilities * Produce and update CAD drawings and technical plans

Design/BIM Drafter

Brea, CA · On-site

$24 - $26/hr

This position requires a foundational understanding of technical drafting and modeling applications and the ability to interpret architectural, structural, and engineering design documents. The ideal ...

This position requires a foundational understanding of technical drafting and modeling applications and the ability to interpret architectural, structural, and engineering design documents. The ideal ...

Design/BIM Drafter

Brea, CA · On-site

$24 - $26/hr

This position requires a foundational understanding of technical drafting and modeling applications and the ability to interpret architectural, structural, and engineering design documents. The ideal ...

Be Seen First

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys technical drafting, understands plan production standards, and thrives in a collaborative environment. You will work closely with licensed engineers, project ...

Be Seen First

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys technical drafting, understands plan production standards, and thrives in a collaborative environment. You will work closely with licensed engineers, project ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Technical Drafting information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$154.3K

$203.3K

How much do technical drafting jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for technical drafting in California is $154,301.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $202,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is technical drafting?

A Technical Drafting job involves creating detailed technical drawings and plans used in construction, manufacturing, engineering, or product design. Drafters use computer-aided design (CAD) software and traditional drafting techniques to produce accurate diagrams, layouts, and blueprints. They collaborate with engineers, architects, and designers to ensure that drawings meet technical specifications and industry standards. Technical drafters specialize in fields such as mechanical, electrical, civil, or architectural drafting, depending on the industry they work in.

What does a technical drafter do?

A typical day in Technical Drafting often involves creating or updating technical drawings and blueprints based on specifications from engineers or architects, using CAD software to ensure accuracy and adherence to standards. Draftspeople may participate in team meetings to coordinate design changes, review project requirements, and address feedback from project leads. Collaboration with other departments or field personnel is common to clarify technical details and resolve conflicts in design. This role balances focused, independent computer work with regular communication, making time management and adaptability important for meeting deadlines and project goals.

What skills and qualifications are needed for technical drafting?

To thrive in Technical Drafting, you need strong skills in technical drawing, spatial visualization, attention to detail, and generally an associate degree or certification in drafting or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard CAD software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit, as well as knowledge of building codes and drafting standards, is essential. Strong organizational skills, communication abilities, and adaptability will set you apart in collaborating with engineers, architects, and other stakeholders. These competencies are critical for producing precise, compliant technical drawings that support successful project outcomes.

Is technical drafting a good career?

Technical drafting is a viable career that involves creating detailed technical drawings using CAD software, often requiring knowledge of engineering or architecture principles. It offers opportunities in manufacturing, construction, and engineering industries, with potential for certification and skill development. Job stability and growth depend on industry demand and individual expertise.

What do you do in technical drafting?

In technical drafting, professionals create detailed technical drawings and plans used in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing. They use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to develop precise diagrams, ensuring designs meet specifications and standards. Attention to detail and understanding of engineering principles are essential in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Drafting jobs in California?

The most popular types of Technical Drafting jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Technical Drafting jobs in California?

For Technical Drafting jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Technical Drafting jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Technical Drafting jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Technical Drafting jobs?

Cities in California with the most Technical Drafting job openings:

Infographic showing various Technical Drafting job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,301 per year, or $74.2 per hour.

Drafting Manager

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Salt Productions
Marketing • 11 - 50 employees

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

About Salt Productions, LLC
Salt Productions is a full-service production agency rooted in an environment where production thrives, allowing creative work to be executed with precision, and delivering quality work committed to the client's goals. Salt is built on a foundation where Production and Creative go hand in hand with a process that is exciting, collaborative and transparent. With a people-first approach, Salt believes quality can only be achieved with the right team.
As a production agency, we collaborate with creative from the start-whether in-house, brand-side, or a powerhouse partner-to bring clients' design dreams to life, exactly as envisioned. We are logistical magicians and operational experts-a killer combo for flawless execution. And we live for creating challenging builds within budget, but never at the expense of our team's ability to thrive. As a radically compassionate company, we value people over profits and our work is all the better for it. Big ideas are our specialty, start-to-finish integration is our superpower, and we actualize experiences that thrill, engage, and inspire.
ROLE: Drafting Manager
REPORTS INTO: Director of Technical Production
What Is the Drafting Manager
The Drafting Manager is responsible for owning and coordinating all technical drafting efforts across live events, experiential activations, and fabricated environments. This role serves as the central point of accountability for drawing standards, drafting workflows, file management, and quality control-ensuring that all technical drawings are accurate, consistent, and aligned with production, fabrication, and installation requirements.
This is a hands-on management role that blends technical drafting expertise with process ownership. The Drafting Manager works closely with Technical Directors, Senior Technical Directors, Fabrication Producers, and external vendors, while managing internal drafting workflows and freelance drafting resources. This role is critical to translating creative intent and technical design into build-ready documentation.
Roles & Responsibilities
Drafting Leadership & Standards
  • Own drafting standards, templates, layer conventions, and documentation best practices
  • Ensure all drawings meet internal quality, accuracy, and version-control requirements
  • Review and approve venue and master drawing files prior to release to Production and Creative teams
  • Establish clear drafting scopes and deliverable expectations for each project

Workflow & Process Management
  • Serve as the central coordination point for drafting requests in collaboration with Technical Directors and Production team leads across technical production and fabrication teams
  • Lead and facilitate project-level Drafting Kick-Off (KO) meetings to align scope, drafting standards, handoff procedures, cadence, and expectations with Technical Production, Fabrication, and Production teams
  • Prioritize drafting requests based on project timelines and production needs
  • Manage drafting schedules and ensure alignment with production milestones
  • Enforce drafting processes and timelines, including holding stakeholders accountable to required inputs

Technical Coordination
  • Collaborate with Technical Directors and fabrication teams to translate designs into executable drawings
  • Ensure drawings accurately reflect staging, rigging, AV, power, automation, and fabrication integration
  • Coordinate drawing updates and revisions as projects evolve
  • Support venue reviews, site surveys, and feasibility assessments through accurate documentation

File Conversion & Technical Accuracy
  • Execute and oversee file conversions from SketchUp, Rhino (.3dm), AutoCAD, OBJ, Matterport, and LiDAR scan data
  • Validate scale, accuracy, and alignment when converting third-party files into Vectorworks
  • Maintain clean, organized, and accessible drawing file structures

Resource & Vendor Management
  • Manage freelance drafting resources and external drafting partners
  • Assign drafting work and provide clear scopes, deadlines, and feedback
  • Maintain a roster of trusted drafting vendors and freelancers
  • Coordinate with production leadership on resourcing needs and capacity planning
  • Partner with Project Leads and Production leadership to align drafting resources with approved project budgets and monitor drafting spend throughout the project lifecycle

Documentation & Continuous Improvement
  • Maintain a centralized drafting archive and documentation system
  • Identify opportunities to improve drafting efficiency, clarity, and turnaround time
  • Stay current on Vectorworks updates, drafting tools, and industry best practices

Requirements
  • 6+ years of experience in technical drafting for live events, experiential, or fabrication environments
  • Expert-level proficiency in Vectorworks (required)
  • Strong understanding of technical drawings for live events, staging, rigging, AV, and fabrication
  • Ability to read, review, and QA technical drawings across multiple disciplines
  • Experience working with complex, multi-vendor technical environments
  • Proven experience managing drafting workflows and multiple concurrent projects
  • Strong understanding of live event production and fabrication processes
  • Experience working with third-party file formats and scan data (SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD, OBJ, Matterport, LiDAR)
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills
  • Ability to enforce process while maintaining collaborative relationships
  • Proficient in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides)
  • Availability for in-person collaboration as required

Salt Core Values + You
  • Redefine the Rules: Creative and production fighting like cats and dogs? Not here. We bring creative and production together from the start because a great idea is only as good as how it's brought to life. For us, logistics and aesthetics go hand in hand. We're all about delivering experiences that go beyond the ask.
  • In Search Of: Tackling challenges is our favorite pastime. Obstacles? We call them plot twists. We are creative thinkers and problem-solvers who always find a way forward with curiosity and determination. Our focus is exceeding expectations, turning client asks into an opportunity to deliver something unexpectedly brilliant.
  • Expect More, Get More: We hold ourselves to higher standards than anyone else, always looking for ways to elevate each project. We don't stop at simply checking all the boxes; we push until time runs out. That extra 10% is where we surpass the competition, delivering results beyond what our clients could imagine-or even think to ask for.
  • Compassion is Culture: We are powered by extraordinary humans, and we're dedicated to cultivating an environment where company success is tied to team success. We combat burnout with inspiration, motivation, and genuine support. Without fun, work sucks

You Are:
  • You are the technical authority who owns drafting standards, workflows, and quality control-ensuring every drawing is accurate, consistent, and build-ready.
  • You are the central coordinator who aligns Technical Directors, Production, Fabrication teams, and freelance resources to deliver documentation on time and to spec.

You are a hands-on drafting leader who translates creative and technical design into executable drawings, while driving process improvement and resource efficiency.