CAD Drafter

CAD Drafter / Steel Detailer – Entry Level or Experienced

Location: Mantua Township, NJ Company: East Coast Steel

East Coast Steel, a full-service metal supplier established in 1987, is seeking an Entry-Level or Experienced CAD Drafter to join our growing metal processing team in Mantua Township, New Jersey.

This position is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career drafter with experience creating shop drawings that directly drive steel for fabrication, cutting, and production.

Responsibilities

- Independently produce accurate shop and fabrication drawings for beams, columns, stairs, and miscellaneous steel

- Develop production-ready nests for laser, plasma, and oxy-fuel cutting

- Prepare and manage CAD/DWG/DXF files for saw cutting, bending, drilling, and machining

- Generate material takeoffs and detailed BOMs

- Provide technical support to sales, estimating, and production teams

- Review customer and engineering drawings for constructability and accuracy

Education

High school diploma required. Internships, trade school projects, or classroom experience. Drafting or engineering technology degree preferred

Experience Level

- Proficiency in AutoCAD

- Technical Aptitude

Ability to read basic drawings and willingness to learn.

- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision

- Experience Level

- 0-2+ years of CAD drafting experience preferred

- Strong understanding of:

- Structural steel detailing practices will train

- Welding symbols and bolting standards helpful

- Fabrication and machining processes

- Experience with Tekla, SDS2, or Advance Steel, other software is a plus

- Professional Traits

Strong attention to detail, good communication skills, and eagerness to learn in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

*

Why Join East Coast Steel

- High-impact role supporting hands-on metal service center

- Stable, established company with modern processing capabilities

- Competitive compensation, benefits, and monthly incentive bonuses

Career Ladder: CAD Drafter / Steel Detailer (Structural Steel)

1. Entry-Level CAD Drafter / Steel Detailer

Experience: 0–2 years Responsibilities:

- Produce basic shop and fabrication drawings under supervision

- Learn CAD software (AutoCAD, Tekla, SDS2, Advance Steel)

- Assist in material takeoffs and BOM generation

- Support production and engineering teams

Skills Developed:

- Basic steel detailing practices, reading blueprints, welding symbols, and bolting standards

2. Intermediate / Junior Steel Detailer

Experience: 2–5 years Responsibilities:

- Independently create more complex shop and fabrication drawings

- Prepare production-ready cutting nests for laser, plasma, and oxy-fuel

- Collaborate with engineers and project managers on constructability

- Provide technical support to sales and estimating

Skills Developed:

- Advanced CAD proficiency, deeper understanding of fabrication and machining

- Ability to manage small projects or parts of larger projects

3. Senior Steel Detailer / Lead Drafter

Experience: 5–8+ years Responsibilities:

- Lead detailing projects for large or complex steel structures

- Mentor junior drafters and review drawings for accuracy

- Coordinate with engineering, production, and clients on technical solutions

- Optimize workflows and implement best practices for efficiency

Skills Developed:

- Expert-level CAD skills, project management, leadership, advanced structural knowledge

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

- 401(k) matching

- Health insurance

- Paid time off

Experience:

- fully experienced: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person