Senior Computer-Aided Designer

Senior Cad Operator

The Senior CAD Operator is the organization's hands-on Autodesk Inventor expert, producing accurate, manufacturing-ready models and drawings while supporting engineering, production, and research and development. This role develops and translates concepts, markups, measurements, and engineering direction into controlled CAD documentation for production parts, assemblies, fixtures, tooling, equipment, and prototypes.

As a senior individual contributor, this person improves CAD standards and reusable libraries, safeguards revision integrity, and mentors less-experienced team members. The role does not require formal people management, but it does require sound judgment, strong manufacturing awareness, and the confidence to identify drawing, tolerance, fit, or documentation risks before release.

Production drawings and CAD execution

Create and maintain complex 3D part and assembly models and fully detailed 2D production drawings in Autodesk Inventor.

Convert engineering concepts, sketches, redlines, legacy drawings, field measurements, and prototype feedback into complete, manufacturable CAD documentation.

Apply dimensions, tolerances, fits, datums, surface-finish requirements, weld symbols, notes, and material specifications appropriate to the design and manufacturing process.

Develop and maintain bills of material, drawing references, model relationships, and assembly structures so documentation remains accurate and usable downstream.

Revise existing drawings and models efficiently while preserving design intent, file relationships, and released-product history.

Fixtures, tooling, equipment, and prototypes

Design and document fixtures, jigs, gauges, tooling, work holding devices, and manufacturing-support equipment in collaboration with engineering and production teams.

Support prototype and R&D work by rapidly developing concepts, layouts, models, and drawings; incorporate test and build feedback through controlled iterations.

Work directly with engineers, machinists, welders, assemblers, technicians, and suppliers to resolve fit, access, tolerance, material, and fabrication questions.

Review designs for practical manufacturability, assembly sequence, serviceability, standard-component use, and avoidable cost or complexity; raise concerns early.

Verify critical dimensions and interfaces using available measurement tools and production feedback, escalating decisions that require engineering approval.

Document control, standards, and technical leadership

Process engineering change orders/notices (ECOs/ECNs), drawing releases, and revisions in accordance with the company's document-control procedures.

Maintain traceability between work-in-process files, approved releases, bills of material, redlines, and superseded revisions; prevent uncontrolled drawings from reaching production.

Develop, document, and maintain CAD templates, title blocks, drawing practices, file-naming rules, shared content, iParts/iFeatures, and reusable component libraries.

Identify opportunities to improve CAD efficiency, model stability, drawing consistency, and data quality; implement practical standards and automation where appropriate.

Mentor junior CAD operators, designers, technicians, and engineers in Inventor methods, drawing quality, standards, and efficient problem-solving.

Provide informal peer review and technical guidance without assuming final engineering approval unless specifically delegated in writing.

Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Inventor, including parametric part modeling, complex assemblies, drawing creation, design views, model states, sheet metal, and structured bills of material.

Substantial CAD/drafting experience in a manufacturing environment—typically gained through 8 or more years of progressively responsible work, including significant hands-on Inventor experience.

Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate, manufacturing-ready drawings for machined, fabricated, welded, sheet-metal, and assembled components.

Strong working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance stack-up principles, fits, drawing conventions,…