CAD Designer / Drafter

Alright, let's talk about this one. It's for a Mechanical Drafter role on our Defense Systems team in Huntsville, AL, working on airborne effectors; think missiles and UAVs. If you're into turning complex mechanical designs into the drawings that actually get things built, this is your spot.

What you'll be doing

You'll partner directly with mechanical engineers and designers. Your main job is to take their 3D CAD models and develop the complete technical drawing packages that go out the door.

• Apply standard tolerancing and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) to meet specific Technical Data Package requirements, from Level I through III.
• Make necessary adjustments within the CAD software itself to finalize drawing packages.
• Work with our Configuration Management group to release drawings and handle Engineering Change Orders using Windchill PLM.
• Coordinate between our purchasing department and external machine shops to get hardware procured.
• Support manufacturing teams as prototypes transition into finalized, deliverable products.

The basics we need from you

The education and experience requirement works on a sliding scale. You can meet it one of three ways:

• A Bachelor's degree in mechanical drafting plus 2 to 4 years of relevant experience.
• An Associate of Science degree focused on Computer Aided Design (AETM CAD) plus 4 to 6 years of experience.
• A High School diploma plus 6 to 8 years of direct experience.

On the technical side, you've got to have hands on time with 2D and 3D CAD software; SOLIDWORKS is a big one here. You need real experience creating fabrication drawings and using basic modeling techniques. Familiarity with Windchill Product Lifecycle Management is required. So is practical knowledge of ASME Y14 standards and GD&T.

A couple other things: you need solid communication skills, both talking and writing. An eagerness to learn new things or sharpen current skills is non negotiable. And the job can involve some physical work, like lifting items up to 30 pounds.

It'd be great if you also had...

• Previous experience working on flight hardware, like missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• The ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance or higher.
• A willingness to travel occasionally if a program needs support.

The details

This position is based at our campus in Huntsville, AL. The posted pay range for this role is $59,150 to $106,925 per year. Your final offer will consider your specific experience, education, skills, and how the role aligns with internal equity and market data.

Leidos offers a full benefits package that includes health and wellness programs, income protection plans, paid leave, and retirement options. You can find more specifics on our careers site.

A quick word from us

The original posting date was April 17, 2026. We expect this requisition to stay open for at least three days from that date. Please apply through the official Leidos careers portal only.

A serious note on job scams

Leidos will never ask for payment information during the application process. We won't send you checks or money orders upfront. Official communication will only come from an @leidos.com email address; not from free services like Gmail or Yahoo, nor via WhatsApp or Telegram. If you get a suspicious message asking for money or personal details pretending to be from us, report it immediately to LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com and contact your local law enforcement.