CAD Drafter Designer

CAD Drafter - Elk Grove Village, IL
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL
Pay Range: $65,000 - $85,000 (up to $90,000 max for exceptional candidates)
Type: Contract-to-Hire (6 months preferred, direct hire for strong fit)

Oakley Industrial Machinery is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of specialized machinery used to produce heating elements for industrial, commercial, medical, transportation, oil & gas, and other applications. With strong international ties to its Italian headquarters and a small U.S. team of approximately 20 employees, the company offers a highly collaborative, hands-on environment where employees work closely with both local leadership and international engineering teams.

We are seeking a highly detail-oriented and self-directed CAD Drafter to take ownership of engineering drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and technical documentation supporting production and engineering operations. This role is ideal for an experienced drafting professional who thrives in an independent environment, takes pride in precision, and is comfortable managing legacy CAD data and documentation systems with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Convert legacy 2D CAD drawings into 3D models using Autodesk Inventor
• Maintain and update Bills of Materials (BOMs) and engineering documentation
• Manage Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) with accurate revision control
• Generate CAM-ready outputs to support CNC machining processes
• Scan, digitize, organize, and maintain legacy technical drawings
• Create and maintain technical manuals and user documentation
• Print and distribute production drawings and documentation packages
• Support production and sales teams with technical clarification and troubleshooting
• Collaborate with vendors and internal teams on drawing-related questions
• Support cost tracking and technical data entry (QuickBooks/ERP systems)
• Contribute to ongoing modernization and improvement of engineering files

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in CAD drafting, mechanical design, or technical documentation
• Strong proficiency in Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Vault (required)
• Experience creating and managing engineering drawings, BOMs, and ECNs
• Proven ability to convert 2D drawings into 3D models
• Strong attention to detail and high accuracy in documentation
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office Suite
• Ability to interpret drawings and resolve missing or incomplete dimensions
• Experience supporting production, engineering, or vendor communication

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to CAM software or CNC machining workflows
• Experience in small machine shop or custom equipment manufacturing environments
• Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Drafting, or related field
• Familiarity with ERP systems or QuickBooks
• Electrical drafting or basic controls/PLC exposure
• Experience creating or updating technical manuals
• Understanding of metric drawings and international engineering standards
• Vendor coordination or purchasing support experience
• Exposure to cost reduction or design improvement initiatives

What Makes This Role Unique

• Full ownership of engineering documentation and CAD modernization efforts
• Direct impact on manufacturing accuracy and production efficiency
• Close collaboration with international engineering teams in Italy
• Opportunity to work with a highly specialized industrial machine product line
• Long-term growth potential into more advanced engineering responsibilities
• Competitive, European-influenced benefits package

This is a high-ownership role for a disciplined CAD professional who values accuracy, independence, and the opportunity to modernize critical engineering documentation in a manufacturing environment.