This role is STARs-friendly: Skilled Through Alternative Routes.
71% STARs in role.
Job Description
The CAD Technician plays a central role in ensuring the quality, accuracy, and manufacturability of welded and machined components. This position combines hands-on quality assurance and fabrication inspection with advanced CAD design, blueprint interpretation, and non-destructive testing support. You will collaborate closely with welders, machinists, fabricators, and engineers to verify that all components meet dimensional, structural, and customer-specific requirements, while also contributing to continuous improvement, training, and product development efforts.
Responsibilities
- Inspect welded and machined components to ensure compliance with blueprints, weld symbols in accordance with AWS standards, GD&T, and customer specifications.
- Perform in-process and final inspections using precision tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, depth micrometers, dial indicators, and weld gauges.
- Evaluate weld quality for defects including porosity, cracking, undercut, lack of fusion, and distortion, ensuring adherence to welding codes and documented procedures.
- Verify machined parts for tolerances, surface finishes, and critical dimensions to confirm conformance with design requirements.
- Identify non-conforming parts, document discrepancies clearly, and work with production teams to implement corrective actions and rework solutions.
- Inspect completed parts and mockups in a timely manner to ensure readiness for customer delivery and shipment schedules.
- Perform or support non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections in accordance with industry standards and customer requirements.
- Obtain, maintain, or actively pursue Level II certifications in Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Penetrant Testing (PT), and Visual Testing (VT).
- Ensure compliance with applicable fabrication and welding standards such as AWS D1.1 and relevant customer-specific codes.
- Interpret detailed fabrication drawings, including weld symbols, tolerances, fits, and assembly instructions, to guide production and inspection activities.
- Verify that production output aligns with design intent and engineering requirements, and communicate discrepancies to appropriate stakeholders.
- Provide feedback to engineering on design for manufacturability (DFM) and recommend potential improvements to enhance fabrication efficiency and quality.
- Create and revise 2D and 3D fabrication drawings and models using AutoCAD and SolidWorks, including weldments and machined components.
- Develop complete drawing packages from scratch, including bills of materials (BOMs), weld callouts, and Manufacturing Inspection Test Plans (MITPs).
- Ensure all drawings include appropriate tolerances, material specifications, and fabrication notes to support accurate production and inspection.
- Maintain organized CAD files, version control, and accurate documentation to support traceability and efficient workflow.
- Accurately measure and document defects, deviations, and mockup configurations using precision instruments.
- Collect and analyze inspection data to identify quality trends, recurring defects, and process inefficiencies.
- Generate detailed inspection and quality reports for internal teams and customers, presenting findings in a clear and actionable format.
- Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives within welding and machining processes.
- Train welders and machinists on quality standards, blueprint interpretation, and inspection techniques to elevate overall shop capability.
- Develop and maintain inspection procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality documentation specific to fabrication processes.
- Reinforce best practices for weld quality, part handling, and dimensional accuracy throughout the production environment.
- Utilize hands-on fabrication knowledge to support prototype development and research and development (R&D) initiatives.
- Assist in transitioning experimental designs into scalable, manufacturable products by providing practical fabrication insights.
- Provide guidance on material selection, weldability, machining feasibility, and assembly processes to support robust product design.
- Act as a key liaison between production, engineering, and quality teams, supporting efficient workflow and resolving fabrication-related issues in real time.
- Work closely with welders, machinists, and fabricators to ensure all fabricated components meet dimensional, structural, and quality requirements.
- Support production priorities as needed in a fast-paced fabrication shop environment, adapting to changing demands.
- Remain flexible and willing to take on additional tasks related to quality, inspection, or CAD as business needs evolve.
- Continuously improve technical skills in welding inspection, machining processes, and fabrication techniques.
- Proven experience in quality control and quality assurance within a fabrication or machining environment.
- Strong ability to inspect welded and machined components against blueprints, weld symbols (AWS standards), GD&T, and customer specifications.
- Proficiency in using precision measurement tools, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, depth micrometers, dial indicators, and weld gauges.
- Hands-on experience evaluating weld quality and identifying defects such as porosity, cracking, undercut, lack of fusion, and distortion.
- Ability to verify machined parts for tight tolerances, surface finishes, and critical dimensions.
- Competence in identifying non-conforming parts and documenting discrepancies in a clear and structured manner.
- Capability to perform or support non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections in line with industry standards and customer requirements.
- Commitment to obtain and maintain Level II certifications in Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Penetrant Testing (PT), and Visual Testing (VT).
- Solid understanding of fabrication and welding standards such as AWS D1.1 and customer-specific codes.
- Advanced blueprint reading skills, including interpretation of weld symbols, tolerances, fits, and assembly instructions.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD for creating and revising 2D fabrication drawings.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks for developing 3D models and weldment or machined component designs.
- Ability to develop complete drawing packages, including BOMs, weld callouts, and Manufacturing Inspection Test Plans (MITPs).
- Strong CAD file management skills, including version control and documentation accuracy.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret inspection data to identify trends and process issues.
- Strong written communication skills for generating detailed inspection and quality reports.
- Experience supporting root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives in welding and machining processes.
- Ability to train and coach welders and machinists on quality standards, blueprint interpretation, and inspection techniques.
- Effective collaboration skills to work closely with welders, machinists, fabricators, and engineers.
- Hands-on familiarity with welding processes and weld quality requirements.
- Experience with CNC machine operation and manual machines in a fabrication or machining context.
- Experience acting as a liaison between production, engineering, and quality teams to support efficient workflow.
- Background in drafting and design within a fabrication or manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of design for manufacturability (DFM) principles and ability to provide constructive feedback to engineering.
- Understanding of material selection, weldability, machining feasibility, and assembly processes for product development.
- Experience supporting prototype development and R&D initiatives in a shop or manufacturing setting.
- Ability to develop and maintain inspection procedures, SOPs, and quality documentation tailored to fabrication processes.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced fabrication shop and adapting to evolving production priorities.
- Motivation to continuously improve technical skills in welding inspection, machining processes, and fabrication.
- Strong commitment to promoting a safety-first and quality-driven culture within the shop environment.
You will join a small, close-knit company where your expertise has a visible impact on products and processes. The environment encourages hands-on problem solving, continuous learning, and collaboration across production, engineering, and quality. You will have opportunities to expand your skills in CAD, inspection, and NDT, contribute to R&D and process improvements, and work in a culture that values safety, craftsmanship, and high-quality work.
Work Environment
This role is based in a fast-paced fabrication shop environment that combines office-based CAD work with hands-on inspection and collaboration on the shop floor. You will work closely with welders, machinists, and fabricators around welding equipment, CNC machines, and manual machines, using precision measurement tools and CAD software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks. The setting emphasizes a safety-first, quality-driven culture, with frequent interaction between production and engineering to resolve issues in real time and ensure components meet stringent dimensional and structural requirements.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Concord, NC.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $25.00 - $28.00/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)
This is a fully onsite position in Concord,NC.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 2026.
About Aerotek
Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.
Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
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.
Posting ID: JP-006154268