Design & Drafting Technician Solidworks

$96,574 - $96,574/Yr

APR Consulting - Canonsburg, PA

Full-time - Mid Level

Canonsburg, PA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Design & Drafting Technician - Solidworks position is a critical role within our DOD/Aerospace client’s team located in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. This position involves performing detailed design and documentation of mechanical components or subsystems utilizing Solidworks, a leading CAD software. The technician will be responsible for managing their own design sub-tasks in support of various projects, contributing to the design and documentation of semi-complex mechanical components as an active member of the project team. In this role, the technician will produce both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) CAD work products for fabrication and assembly. They will generate mechanical designs that consider material requirements and functional characteristics, and will be tasked with generating and checking semi-complex to complex drawings. The technician will also perform tolerance analysis studies as required and create or revise existing drawings using CAD software, along with bills of material for the products. The technician will be expected to determine scaling, insert necessary reference planes, centering and dimension lines, and prepare specifications for parts, assemblies, and installations. They will prepare complete production detail drawings and contribute design modifications aimed at improving product quality or facilitating manufacturing operations. Additionally, the technician will check drawings against project inputs for correctness and adherence to standard engineering drafting practices. Collaboration with engineers will be essential, particularly regarding model accuracy, design standards, and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs). The technician will create ECNs detailing necessary changes to released designs, update drawings/models/BOMs as needed, and route change requests through the approval process. They will also be involved in writing technical documents, test procedures, installation procedures, and process documents, as well as conducting research to recommend new vendors or products that meet design requirements. This position requires a high degree of initiative and independent action to resolve complex assignments, and the technician may also provide work leadership to drafters or manage a small team of drafters. The role is integral to the development of high-density printed circuit boards, requiring the technician to work from preliminary schematics and part lists to define design standards and configurations.

Responsibilities

• Design and draft using SolidWorks.
• Perform detailed design and documentation of mechanical components or subsystems.
• Manage own design sub-tasks in support of assigned projects.
• Contribute to design and documentation of semi-complex mechanical components as an active project team member.
• Produce 2D or 3D CAD work product output for fabrication and assembly.
• Generate mechanical designs considering material requirements and functional characteristics.
• Generate and check semi-complex to complex drawings.
• Perform tolerance analysis studies as required.
• Create and revise drawings using CAD software and bills of material for products.
• Determine scaling and insert necessary reference planes, centering and dimension lines, hidden line interpolations, and sectioning.
• Prepare specifications for parts, assemblies, and installations; prepare complete production detail drawings.
• Contribute design modifications to improve product quality or facilitate manufacturing operations.
• Check drawings against project input for correctness and conformance to standard engineering drafting practices.
• Work with engineers regarding model accuracy, design, drafting standards, and ECN/ECR documentation.
• Create Engineering Change Notices detailing necessary changes to released designs and update drawings/models/BOMs as needed.
• Create and revise documentation detailing assembly and/or testing procedures.
• Conduct research to make recommendations for new vendors, products, or technical specifications.
• Work as an individual technical contributor or as part of a development team.
• Provide work leadership to drafters and may manage a small team of drafters.
• Assist engineers in the design and development of complex layouts of printed circuit boards.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in design and drafting.
• Proficient knowledge of material requirements, fabrication techniques, and manufacturability concepts.
• Proficient knowledge of design principles and techniques including CAD.
• Trained/experienced in the use of SolidWorks CAD software.
• Proficient knowledge of design documentation standards (e.g., ASME Y14.5M, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing).
• Proficient knowledge of mechanical stress, structural, thermal, and tolerance analysis.
• Strong problem-solving and collaborative skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively to ensure assignment completion.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with high-density printed circuit board design.
• Familiarity with engineering change databases.
• Experience in writing technical documents and test procedures.

Benefits

• Competitive pay at $46.43/hour.
• Opportunity for contract extension or transition to permanent position after 12-24 months.
• Onsite work environment.