Principal CAD Designer
On-siteEl Segundo, California, United States
Job Summary
Provide advanced CAD drafting and design support throughout the product development lifecycle using SolidWorks. Generate, modify, and maintain detailed 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and associated technical documentation while ensuring compliance with engineering standards, GD&T requirements, and company procedures. Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to support design execution, product data management, and engineering change implementation. Administer file structures, version control, and drawing release processes within SolidWorks PDM systems. Maintain accurate bill of material structures and hardware configurations, and provide technical guidance to junior designers. Review CAD models for manufacturability and accuracy, identifying design issues and supporting corrective actions. Assist in developing drafting standards, best practices, and continuous improvement of CAD processes and documentation workflows.
Required Qualifications
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
- Associate's degree or technical certification in Drafting, Design Technology, Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, or related field
- 7+ years of progressive CAD design and drafting experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, engineering, or product development environment
- Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, including part modeling, assemblies, and engineering drawing creation
- Strong understanding of GD&T, mechanical drafting standards, and engineering documentation best practices
- Proficiency with technical diagramming and drafting tools such as DraftSight, Lucidchart, Draw.io, or equivalent applications
- Experience using issue tracking and workflow management tools such as Jira or similar systems
- Knowledge of engineering change control processes and configuration management principles
- Ability to interpret engineering specifications, manufacturing requirements, and technical documentation
- Experience creating and managing bill of materials (BOM) structures and hardware documentation
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills related to CAD models and engineering documentation workflows
- Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to documentation accuracy
Desired Qualifications
- Exposure to ERP and PLM systems preferred, including SAP, Windchill, ENOVIA, or similar platforms
- Strong mechanical proficiency and general understanding of manufacturing (CNC, 3D printing, etc.) and mechanical assembly techniques
- Knowledge of applicable government and industry standards including ASME Y14.5 (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and ASME Y14.100 (Engineering Drawing Practices), and its application techniques
- Previous experience in supporting the design of electronic packages, ground structures, mechanisms, and/or composite structures
- Aerospace or automotive electronics design experience
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