CAD Drafter

Job Title: CAD Drafter Job Description
The CAD Drafter generates layout drawings from customer-supplied CAD files, plans, and sketches, and creates accurate bills of material based on these drawings. This is a highly customer-facing role that requires regular interaction with customers and internal sales teams to clarify requirements, shipping details, and project expectations. The position focuses primarily on intermediate-level CAD drafting work for fencing and similar structures, emphasizing speed over complexity, and includes preparing quotes for customer presentations. In addition, the CAD Drafter supports engineering, sales, production personnel, and customers with technical guidance and documentation.
Responsibilities
- Generate layout drawings from customer-supplied CAD files, plans, and sketches for fencing and related structures.
- Create accurate bills of material based on completed drawings and ensure all components are correctly documented.
- Draft detailed production and part drawings to support manufacturing and installation processes.
- Design standard products as well as customer-specific applications based on project requirements.
- Schedule and manage the drawing workload to meet deadlines and key performance indicators.
- Interact regularly with customers and inside sales personnel to clarify requirements, shipping information, and project details.
- Make phone calls to customers when necessary to resolve questions and confirm specifications.
- Prepare and generate quotes for customer presentations using CAD drawings and associated data.
- Enter and maintain bills of material and related information in the ERP system accurately.
- Communicate project and shipping updates to clients and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
- Provide engineering and technical support to the sales department, production personnel, and customers.
- Support internal teams by explaining drawings, design intent, and material requirements.
- Handle approximately 510 drawings per day, depending on project scale and complexity.
- Prioritize speed and efficiency in drafting while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
- Contribute to a stable, long-term operation and participate in continuous improvement of drafting and documentation processes.
Essential Skills
- Associates degree in CAD or completion of a CAD certificate program.
- Hands-on experience using AutoCAD for drafting and design work.
- Hands-on experience using SolidWorks for 3D modeling and design.
- Proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints and technical drawings.
- Ability to perform intermediate-level CAD work focused on assembling fencing and similar metal-based structures.
- Comfort communicating directly with customers and inside sales teams, including making phone calls to clarify requirements.
- Capability to generate accurate bills of material from CAD drawings.
- Ability to manage multiple drawings and projects per day while meeting deadlines.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in drafting, documentation, and data entry into ERP systems.
- Strong organizational skills to schedule and manage drawing workload effectively.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working with an ERP system for managing bills of material and project data.
- Experience with 3D SolidWorks modeling is a plus.
- Project management experience, including coordinating tasks and timelines, is beneficial.
- Experience working with metal-based products or industrial structures is advantageous.
- Ability to prepare clear, professional quotes and presentations for customers.
- Strong customer service mindset and ability to provide technical support to non-technical stakeholders.
- Interest in long-term career growth within a stable organization that promotes from within.
- Motivation to meet or exceed key performance indicators, with potential to earn performance-based bonuses.
Work Environment
The CAD Drafter works as part of a team of approximately 46 other drafters in a collaborative office environment. The role reports into the internal sales and CAD leadership structure and involves frequent interaction with sales, production personnel, and customers. Work is primarily performed on CAD software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks, supported by an ERP system for managing bills of material and project data. The position offers a stable, long-term opportunity in an industrial-focused organization that values safety, security, and storage solutions, and actively promotes from within. Performance is measured against clear key performance indicators, with the potential to earn a quarterly bonus based on results. The day-to-day environment emphasizes efficiency, responsiveness to customer needs, and teamwork among drafting and sales professionals.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of BEDFORD PARK, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $28.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of BEDFORD PARK, IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in BEDFORD PARK,IL. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.