US- CAD Technician (Expert)

Actalent
Muscatine, IA

Job Title: Project Engineering Piping/Mechanical Designer (CAD Technician – Expert)
Job Description

This role focuses on delivering high‑quality piping and mechanical design and drafting for a manufacturing plant environment. You will work independently from basic project information to produce complete engineering drawings suitable for bidding and construction. The position involves creating a wide range of technical documents, supporting project engineers and planners, and making sound design decisions to ensure systems and equipment meet internal and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

  • Independently develop and complete piping and mechanical design and drafting work for all areas of the plant and associated engineering disciplines.
  • Produce finished engineering drawings suitable for bidding and construction, including engineering flow diagrams, civil drawings, detailed equipment arrangements, installation details, piping plans, piping isometrics, electrical drawings, miscellaneous construction drawings, and as‑built drawings.
  • Make informed civil and mechanical system design decisions using sound project design engineering principles.
  • Ensure that systems and equipment are designed and installed in accordance with applicable client requirements and regulatory standards.
  • Assist with project reviews and system design, providing technical input and design recommendations.
  • Review field installations to verify compliance with design documents and identify any required modifications.
  • Verify and complete as‑built drawings based on field conditions and updates from construction activities.
  • Develop detailed construction drawings to support project execution and implementation.
  • Work directly with project engineers, project planners, and construction field coordinators to define project implementation requirements and resolve design issues.
  • Develop equipment and material take‑offs and specifications to support procurement and construction planning.
  • Perform surveying and field verification, including use of Leica point cloud tools, as required to support project design and confirm existing conditions.
  • Develop site plans, equipment layouts, piping plans, and isometrics, which constitute the majority of the role’s focus.
  • Update and maintain as‑built drawings to reflect completed construction and modifications.
  • Assist the project construction coordinator as needed with construction activities, providing design clarification and technical support.
  • Collaborate with the project planner to establish resource needs and support project scheduling.
  • Communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders, contributing to a self‑directed team environment that values diverse perspectives.
Essential Skills
  • Associate degree in Drafting/Design Technology or equivalent education.
  • Strong proficiency in AutoCAD with excellent operating skills for creating and modifying detailed engineering drawings.
  • Basic civil and mechanical engineering knowledge applicable to plant systems, equipment layouts, and piping design.
  • Ability to apply sound project design engineering principles to civil and mechanical system design decisions.
  • Capability to make decisions independently and take strong personal initiative in managing design tasks.
  • Good communication skills, both verbal and written, to work effectively with engineers, planners, and construction personnel.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment and contribute to a self‑directed team culture.
  • Ability to work effectively in an environment that values diverse viewpoints and collaborative problem solving.
  • Capability to work independently with minimal supervision while meeting project deadlines.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
  • Experience with surveying and field verification, including the use of Leica point cloud technology.
  • Understanding of mechanical and civil design practices and regulations related to system design, equipment layout, and mechanical and piping systems.
  • Knowledge of relevant design codes, standards, and regulations (such as OSHA and ADA) as they apply to civil and piping work.
  • Previous manufacturing experience, particularly with process‑related equipment such as pumps, piping, and heat exchangers.
  • Experience updating and maintaining as‑built drawings in an active plant environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to support construction activities by interpreting drawings and providing technical guidance.
  • Comfort working in a fast‑paced project environment with changing priorities and deadlines.
Work Environment

This position is based in a manufacturing plant environment and requires regular presence on the production site. You must be able to ascend and descend stairs on a periodic basis, lift and carry up to 40 pounds, and access all areas of the plant as needed to support design, surveying, and field verification activities. The role follows the plant’s core business hours, with extended hours and weekend work required when needed to support critical plant and project activities. Work involves a combination of office-based CAD and design tasks and on-site field work in an industrial setting, collaborating closely with engineering, planning, and construction teams.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Muscatine, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $55.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Muscatine,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 13, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

  • Hiring diverse talent
  • Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
  • Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
  • Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

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