3D CAD Designer

Position Overview

Our client is a leading provider of highly engineered process equipment and modular process systems serving the chemical, pharmaceutical, industrial, energy, and specialty manufacturing markets.

The Process Systems team designs and fabricates complete custom process systems, including reactor systems, distillation systems, wiped film evaporator (WFE) systems, and other specialized process solutions. Every project is engineered to meet a client's unique production requirements, ranging from pilot-scale process development to full commercial manufacturing systems.

We are seeking an experienced Senior 3D CAD Designer to lead the design and modeling of complex modular process systems. This individual will own the complete 3D modeling process—from concept through fabrication support—creating detailed models, fabrication drawings, piping layouts, structural steel designs, and bills of materials used to construct custom process systems.

This is a highly visible role that works closely with Process and Project Engineers and offers the opportunity to see designs move from concept to fabrication and installation.

Key Responsibilities

Process System Design & Modeling

• Develop complete 3D models of modular process systems including:
  • Process equipment
  • Piping systems
  • Structural steel
  • Instrumentation
  • Utility systems
• Design systems ranging from small skid-mounted units to large multi-module process installations.
• Collaborate with Process and Project Engineers to develop:
  • Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
  • Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)
• Utilize equipment and instrumentation specifications to create or modify 3D CAD components.
• Create custom CAD components when vendor models are unavailable.

Structural Steel & Piping Design

• Develop preliminary structural steel support systems for equipment and piping.
• Design equipment support structures, operating platforms, access stairs, and modular steel frameworks.
• Model process and utility piping systems using Autodesk Plant 3D.
• Coordinate equipment, piping, and steel layouts to ensure constructability and maintainability.

Fabrication Deliverables

Generate all fabrication documentation required for manufacturing and assembly, including:

• Steel fabrication drawings
• Orthographic piping drawings
• Isometric piping drawings
• Module arrangement drawings
• General arrangement plans and elevations
• Spool drawings
• Bills of Materials (BOMs)

Project Support

• Support fabrication shops during construction.
• Troubleshoot fabrication and installation issues.
• Implement customer-requested and field-required design revisions.
• Create final as-built models and drawings upon project completion.

CAD Administration

Assist with:

• Project templates
• Pipe specifications
• CAD catalogs
• Standardization initiatives
• Continuous improvement of design tools and processes

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years of piping design and 3D process system modeling experience.
• 5+ years of Autodesk Plant 3D experience.
• Candidates with significant piping and structural design experience using comparable 3D CAD platforms will also be considered.
• 5+ years of structural steel modeling experience, including equipment support structures and modular steel frameworks.
• Experience creating fabrication drawings and construction documentation.
• Experience generating piping isometrics and orthographic drawings.
• Strong understanding of process equipment and instrumentation commonly used in industrial process systems.

Industry Experience

Experience designing systems within one or more of the following industries:

• Chemical Processing
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Specialty Chemicals
• Petrochemicals
• Nutraceuticals
• Industrial Process Systems
• Polymers or Related Manufacturing Environments

Software Experience

Required:

• Autodesk Plant 3D
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word

Preferred:

• Autodesk Advance Steel
• Smart P&ID
• CAESAR II or other pipe stress analysis software

Education

• Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in CAD Design, Drafting, Engineering Technology, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience will be strongly considered.

Desired Skills

• Strong understanding of process equipment layouts and piping systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications and process documentation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work directly with engineers, fabrication teams, vendors, and customers.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on constructability and fabrication efficiency.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with occasional visits to fabrication facilities and customer/vendor sites.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• Hybrid or remote flexibility may be considered for highly experienced candidates.

Why This Opportunity?

• Design highly customized, real-world process systems rather than repetitive production drawings.
• Work on projects from concept through fabrication and commissioning.
• Collaborate directly with engineers and fabrication teams.
• Join a stable and growing organization serving critical industrial markets.
• Opportunity to make a visible impact on complex, engineered systems used across multiple industries.