Mechanical / Metal Fabrication Designer

About the Position

We are looking for an experienced Mechanical / Metal Fabrication Designer who combines strong 3D CAD skills with hands-on knowledge of metal fabrication and manufacturing.

The ideal candidate understands that a good design isn’t just something that can be modeled—it needs to be fabricated, welded, assembled, installed, and function properly in the real world.

This position is ideal for someone with a background in metal fabrication, welding, machining, structural steel, equipment fabrication, or manufacturing who has developed strong 3D modeling skills.

The designer will work from customer requirements, drawings, field measurements, photographs, and existing equipment to develop accurate 3D models, fabrication drawings, assemblies, and installation documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Create detailed 3D models and assemblies of fabricated metal components and equipment.
• Develop fabrication and manufacturing drawings from 3D models.
• Design structural steel, platforms, frames, supports, brackets, guards, enclosures, equipment, and other fabricated components.
• Perform field measurements and document existing conditions accurately.
• Visit job sites to measure equipment, structures, piping, walls, floors, and other conditions necessary to develop accurate designs.
• Translate field measurements and customer requirements into accurate 3D models.
• Design components with actual fabrication and installation processes in mind.
• Apply practical knowledge of welding, cutting, bending, forming, drilling, machining, and assembly.
• Understand how welding affects materials, including heat distortion, shrinkage, fit-up, weld sequencing, and tolerances.
• Select appropriate materials, thicknesses, fasteners, weld types, and fabrication methods based on the application.
• Develop flat patterns and/or fabrication information for sheet metal and plate components when applicable.
• Create bills of materials and detailed part information.
• Collaborate with fabricators, welders, installers, project managers, engineers, and customers.
• Review designs with the fabrication team and make adjustments to improve manufacturability.
• Identify potential fabrication or installation problems before production begins.
• Work with existing equipment and structures where drawings may not be available.
• Reverse-engineer existing components and equipment when necessary.
• Assist with estimating material requirements and fabrication labor.
• Review completed work and incorporate lessons learned into future designs.
• Maintain organized CAD files, drawings, revisions, and project documentation.

CAD / Software Requirements

Strong proficiency with 3D mechanical modeling software is required.

Experience with one or more of the following:

• Autodesk Inventor
• Autodesk Fusion
• SolidWorks

The ability to quickly learn and transition between CAD platforms is highly valued.

Additional experience with the following is a plus:

• 2D CAD drafting
• Sheet metal modeling
• Weldments
• Assemblies
• Parametric modeling
• Drawing creation and detailing
• GD&T
• DXF/DWG files
• CNC fabrication
• Laser/plasma/waterjet cutting
• CNC press brakes
• CNC machining

Metal Fabrication Knowledge

The successful candidate should have a solid understanding of how metal behaves during fabrication.

Knowledge of the following is highly desirable:

• MIG, TIG, and/or stick welding
• Weld symbols and welding terminology
• Weld sizing and placement
• Welding distortion and shrinkage
• Weld sequencing
• Material fit-up and tolerances
• Structural steel fabrication
• Stainless steel fabrication
• Aluminum fabrication
• Sheet metal fabrication
• Plate fabrication
• Tube and structural shapes
• Cutting, drilling, grinding, and forming
• Bolted and welded connections
• Fasteners and hardware
• Material selection
• Surface preparation and finishing
• Shop fabrication processes
• Field installation methods

Field Measurement & Installation

A major part of this position is being able to take a design from the computer into the field.

The candidate should be comfortable:

• Traveling to job sites to perform field measurements.
• Measuring irregular or existing structures and equipment.
• Using tape measures, laser distance meters, levels, squares, and other measuring tools.
• Documenting field conditions with photographs and sketches.
• Identifying critical dimensions and potential installation conflicts.
• Working around existing equipment, piping, electrical, structural steel, and other obstacles.
• Turning field information into an accurate 3D model.
• Designing components that can actually be transported, assembled, and installed in the field.

What We’re Looking For

• The ideal candidate is someone who can look at a fabricated assembly and think: “How would I build this?” before thinking: “How would I model this?” We value practical fabrication experience just as highly as CAD experience.
• A candidate who has spent years in a fabrication shop and has developed strong CAD skills may be a better fit than someone with extensive CAD experience but little understanding of fabrication.

Qualifications

Required:

• Experience in metal fabrication, manufacturing, welding, machining, structural steel, or a related field.
• Strong 3D modeling skills.
• Proficiency with Inventor, Fusion, SolidWorks, or a comparable 3D CAD platform.
• Ability to read and understand fabrication drawings.
• Ability to interpret measurements and translate them into accurate CAD models.
• Strong mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to visualize components and assemblies in three dimensions.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.

Preferred:

• 3+ years of metal fabrication or manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of 3D CAD experience.
• Welding experience or strong understanding of welding processes.
• Structural steel fabrication experience.
• Sheet metal design experience.
• Experience performing field measurements.
• Experience designing equipment, platforms, frames, supports, or custom fabricated assemblies.
• Experience working directly with welders and fabricators.
• Experience with CNC fabrication equipment.
• Experience creating detailed shop/fabrication drawings.

The Right Candidate

This position is a particularly good fit for someone who has progressed from:

Fabricator / Welder → Lead Fabricator / Shop Experience → CAD / Design

or someone who has a combination of hands-on fabrication and engineering/design experience.

We are looking for a designer who understands that CAD is a tool—not the entire job.

The best candidate will be able to walk through a fabrication shop, talk intelligently with a welder or fabricator, understand why something needs to be built a certain way, and then turn that knowledge into a clean, accurate, production-ready 3D model and drawing package.

Compensation

Salary: Competitive and based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits and additional compensation details will be discussed during the interview process.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume highlighting your metal fabrication, welding, manufacturing, and 3D CAD experience.

• Candidates are encouraged to include examples or a portfolio of 3D models, fabrication drawings, assemblies, or completed fabrication projects they have designed.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Desired Pay:

Experience:

• 3D CAD : 3 years (Preferred)
• Metal Fabrication or Manufacturing : 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person