Job Title: CAD Design EngineerJob DescriptionThe CAD Design Engineer creates manufacturing-ready 3D models from legacy 2D technical data for government and commercial parts that currently have no existing models. This role focuses on transforming complex, often decades-old drawings into accurate, production-ready digital models that enable efficient sourcing, manufacturing, and sustainment of critical systems.
Responsibilities
- Build precise, manufacturing-ready 3D models that replicate customer drawings feature by feature.
- Interpret and resolve conflicting or unclear views by analyzing the full drawing set and related documentation.
- Identify any missing or ambiguous information in the drawings and escalate questions to the program team before modeling.
- Collaborate with Quality Operations and Design for Manufacturing teams to perform checks that confirm each model matches the original print.
- Handle and manage customer-owned legacy data in strict accordance with each programs data-handling rules and security requirements.
- Contribute to improving, refining, and documenting the modeling workflow as the team takes on additional programs and increasing workload.
- Support reverse-engineering efforts by rebuilding legacy or obsolete parts from old prints or 3D scans when needed.
- Work effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure models are suitable for downstream manufacturing and procurement processes.
Essential Skills
- Hands-on experience building 3D models of production parts from 2D drawings where no existing 3D model is available.
- Proven ability to work from complex drawings with multiple views and sections, including internal features visible only in section views.
- Strong proficiency in at least one major 3D CAD package such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or a comparable tool.
- Demonstrated capability in CAD modeling for manufacturing-ready parts.
- Experience converting 2D drawings to 3D models for production use.
- Eligibility to meet U.S. Government export regulations requirements, including compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Fluency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), including familiarity with standards such as ASME Y14.5.
- Experience with reverse engineering, including rebuilding legacy or obsolete parts from old prints or 3D scans.
- Background in aerospace, defense, or shipbuilding, particularly working with naval or submarine drawings.
- Experience using CATIA and Teamcenter in a production or engineering environment.
- Familiarity with legacy drawings and the challenges of working with older technical data.
- Experience helping a team develop, refine, and scale its processes as workload and program volume increased.
- Understanding of manufacturing-ready modeling practices and design for manufacturing principles.
Work EnvironmentThe CAD Design Engineer works in a highly technical, engineering-focused environment that centers on transforming legacy 2D drawings into accurate 3D models for production. You will use modern CAD tools such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, and potentially Teamcenter, while handling sensitive and legacy data under strict program-specific data-handling rules. The role involves close collaboration with Quality Operations and Design for Manufacturing teams and operates within a framework that complies with U.S. Government export regulations, including ITAR. The environment emphasizes precision, documentation, and continuous improvement of workflows as the team supports a growing number of programs. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Torrance, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $60.00 - $75.00/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 & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Torrance, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 25, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Torrance,CA.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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
