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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.
Core Responsibilities
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.
Required Qualifications
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, and configuration/revision control.
Practical understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, fasteners, standard components, assembly methods, and shop-floor constraints.
Experience supporting production changes, fixtures/tooling, prototypes, and ECO/ECN workflows in a controlled documentation environment.
Ability to work from incomplete or evolving requirements, ask precise questions, document assumptions, and move work forward without losing configuration control.
Strong communication and collaboration skills across engineering, R&D, production, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and less-experienced CAD users.
Associate degree, technical diploma, or certificate in mechanical design, drafting, manufacturing technology, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Autodesk Vault or another product data management/product lifecycle management (PDM/PLM) system.
Experience with reverse engineering, legacy drawing conversion, large assembly performance, vendor drawing review, or configuration-based product families.
Experience in mentoring CAD users and improving team-wide CAD standards, libraries, or release practices.
Core Competencies
Precision and ownership. Produces dependable work, checks details thoroughly, and treats released data as a controlled manufacturing asset.
Manufacturing judgment. Understands how modeling and drawing decisions affect fabrication, machining, assembly, inspection, cost, and schedule.
Structured problem-solving. Works through ambiguous inputs, identifies risks, proposes practical options, and knows when engineering decisions must be escalated.
Responsiveness. Balances planned project work with production priorities, urgent revisions, and rapid R&D iteration.
Technical influence. Raises the capability of the broader team through standards, reusable content, coaching, and clear documentation.
Measures of Success
Models, drawings, bills of material, and revisions are accurate, complete, and released on time with minimal downstream correction.
Production and R&D teams receive responsive CAD support, clear documentation, and timely resolution of drawing-related questions.
ECO/ECN work is traceable and controlled, with fewer revision, file-association, or released-versus-work-in-process errors.
CAD templates, standards, and libraries become more consistent, reusable, and efficient over time.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This role works closely with engineering offices, R&D areas, and active manufacturing operations. Regular interaction with shop-floor personnel and equipment is expected, along with required use of site-specific personal protective equipment and safety procedures. The company will communicate any job-specific physical or travel requirements during the hiring process and will consider reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to legally protected characteristics, consistent with applicable law.
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