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Mechanical Designer

Draper

Cambridge, MAFull-time$28–47.6/hrSeen 3 days agoSeen in employer's feed 3 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$28–47.6/hr
Location
Cambridge, MA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Security clearance

Job overview

Draper seeks a Mechanical CAD Designer to create detailed, build-ready models and drawings for prototypes, production parts, fixtures, and test equipment. The role works closely with engineers and uses CAD and PLM tools to support designs through revisions and production. It is suited to a detail-oriented designer or drafter with technical drafting experience; Creo or SolidWorks and 3D Experience PLM are preferred.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

3D CAD ModelingDraftingCreoSolidWorksModeling StandardsDrafting StandardsDesign Detail CaptureParameter DefinitionDatasheet ReferencingOral CommunicationWritten CommunicationAttention to Detail

Qualifications

High School Diploma or EquivalentAssociate's Degree or Technical Certificate or Equivalent Work Experience3+ Years Technical Drafting ExperienceUS CitizenshipGovernment Security Clearance

Full job description

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

A Mechanical CAD Designer, turns designs into detailed, build-ready drawings for prototypes, production parts, fixtures and test equipment. Works closely with engineers and focus on creating models and layouts that translate cleanly to the shop floor. The opportunity is best suited for CAD designers, drafters, or technical specialists with a deep understanding of CAD (ideally SolidWorks and/or CREO) and good knowledge of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) 3DX preferred. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on, detail-driven CAD work and wants to see designs come into reality.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities

  • Create Solidworks and/or Creo models and drawings for machine components, cables & wire harnesses, and printed circuit card assemblies.

  • Manage designs and CAD files using 3D Experience PLM

  • Execute drawing revisions as specified by engineering change requests.

  • Perform drafting to accepted company and national standards.

  • With minimal oversight identify design issues and bring any issues to Senior Technical Staff.

  • Follow established work processes and instructions and adapt to new processes and work instructions quickly.

  • Provide feedback on the effectiveness of processes and work instructions.

  • Communicate project status and issues to management and members of the project team in oral or written form as requested for the project.

  • Responsible for other assignments at the discretion of the supervisor.

Job Qualifications

Skills/Abilities

  • Well versed in 3D CAD modeling and drafting, preferably Creo and or Solidworks.

  • Proficient in industry and military modeling and drafting standards

  • Ability to collect, organize and capture design details in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

  • Able to properly identify and define parameters by referencing component datasheets.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and exceptional attention to detail.

Education

  • High school diploma or Equivalent is required.

  • Associates degree or certificate from a two- or four-year technical school in engineering technology or related discipline. May be substituted with equivalent work experience.

Experience

  • Requires 3-5 years of experience in the field of technical drafting.

Additional Job Description:

  • Active government security clearance is a plus but not required.

  • Must be a US Citizen with the ability to receive a government security clearance.

  • The job opportunity is at Draper's Cambridge, MA office.

Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.

Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$28.00 - $47.60

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [email protected].

How this job compares

Set against the 539 open Mechanical Designer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$28–47.6/hr
  • US median$35–45/hr94 hourly ranges

This range's midpoint, $37.80/hr, is close to the US median midpoint ($39/hr) — in the middle half of Mechanical Designer hourly ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 539 open Mechanical Designer jobs across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
This posting asks for at least 3 years of experience; Mechanical Designer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (447 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a high school diploma; 193 of the 539 open Mechanical Designer jobs (36%) ask for a high school diploma or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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