CAD Designer

Job Title

Position Overview

Shaw Industries is seeking a CAD Designer to join the Residential Engineering Team, which supports the corporation’s residential manufacturing business unit. The team includes mechanical and electrical engineers, project managers, reliability engineers and technicians, technical training staff, CAD designers, and administrative staff. 

Position Overview: 

Use AutoCAD, Inventor, 3D point-cloud laser scanners, and other advanced tools to develop detailed drawings and models for the Residential Engineering Team. Collaborate with engineers, architects, and other professionals to translate concepts into technical drawings, 3D models, and prototypes that meet technical, functional, and aesthetic requirements. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with engineers, architects, and other professionals to ensure feasible, practical designs. 

• Data Collection: Visit jobsites to gather information for new drawings and verify existing drawings. Use manual measuring tools, handheld distance-measuring lasers, and 3D point-cloud laser scanners, including the current Leicia point-cloud scanner. 

• Design Development: Prepare basic and complex 2D and 3D drawings, models, and schematics under supervision. Support senior designers and engineers in developing concepts and revising existing plans. 

• Production Layout and Material Flow: With operations and engineering, develop and compare equipment layouts showing staging areas, material-handling routes, and future expansion space to support efficient movement of fiber, yarn, carpet, rolls, and other applicable materials. 

• Mechanical Design: Prepare piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), building and structural models, and machine layouts. Develop base building designs and use external references (Xrefs). 

• Utility Coordination: Incorporate engineer-approved utility requirements into equipment layouts and coordinate connection locations and routing with engineering and equipment suppliers. Address power, compressed air, process water, steam, ventilation, and dust or lint collection where applicable; flag conflicts for resolution. 

• Detailed Modeling and Drafting: Develop detailed drawings and models for manufacturing, construction, and other project needs. 

• Clearance and Interference Checks: Check equipment layouts for physical conflicts; document operating, maintenance, component-removal, and material-handling clearances. Coordinate review and approval of access, egress, and guarding requirements with engineering, maintenance, operations, and safety personnel. 

• Design Reviews: Participate in design reviews and recommend technical improvements. 

• Quality and Standards: Check drawings and models for accuracy and compliance with company standards, engineering specifications, and applicable industry standards and regulations. 

• Installation and Retrofit Support: Under engineering direction, prepare coordinated drawings for equipment installations, relocations, and production-line modifications, showing existing, removal, and proposed conditions and incorporating approved supplier drawings. Help resolve drawing-related field questions during installations and shutdowns. 

• As-Built Documentation: Update final drawings after installations and modifications using verified field changes, contractor redlines, and equipment supplier updates. Coordinate the responsible engineer’s review, then release approved as-built records into the drawing management system. 

• File and Drawing System Management: Own the drawing data management system, currently Autodesk Vault, to preserve drawing integrity, track changes, and control revisions. Organize and maintain design files within the established file structure for Residential Manufacturing.  

• Equipment Library Maintenance: Create and maintain reusable CAD blocks and models for production equipment and common components, recording verified equipment footprints, connection points, and required service clearances. Update the library as equipment configurations change. 

• Process Improvement: Improve design efficiency by enhancing CAD standards and introducing new tools and software. 

Key Leadership Competencies 

• Effectively Manages Work – Assess assignment criticality and prioritize work accordingly. 

• Build Customer Satisfaction – Understand customer expectations and build relationships that foster commitment and trust. 

• Continuously Improve – Pursue opportunities to improve processes and develop individual skills. 

• Collaborate – Work cooperatively with others to achieve team goals. 

Position Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in CAD design, engineering, or a related field , OR 3 years of equivalent experience.  

• Skills and Expectations: 

• Proficiency in CAD design and strong independent design skills. 

• Ability to manage projects of moderate to high complexity. 

• Advanced problem-solving skills to resolve complex design challenges. 

• Demonstrated leadership and cross-functional collaboration experience. 

• Ability to mentor and develop junior CAD designers. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Willingness to work project-related overtime, including periodic after-hours support. 

• Availability for domestic travel (approximately 30%) and infrequent international travel as needed. 

Location: 

• Not Hybrid - based out of PLT 95 in Dalton, GA, with assignments and responsibilities that will require work at any Residential facility.  Up to 30% travel. 

Work Shift