CAD Designer Job

​Primary location: Carson, California 
Relocation offered: No 
Employment status: Full-Time 
Travel: <10% 
Non-compete: No 

The estimated base salary range for this role is $68,640 - $84,000 per year.
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

​What does it mean to work at Arktura LLC, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.  Arktura LLC is a widely published company headquartered in a fast-paced design office and manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, CA. We design, develop, and manufacture a variety of façade systems, interior wall and ceiling systems, custom art installations on a full range of state-of-the-art equipment, in our 100,000 sf facility.

Working at Arktura is the best! Benefits include 401k with employee match, robust health care options, paid time off and professional development. We have a casual dress code, free snacks, and quarterly events! As a company, we love to engage in community service activities with our local organizations. We provide access to 100’s of discounts, specialty savings and voluntary benefits through LifeMart such as car and hotel rentals and auto, home, and pet insurance, legal services, and childcare We support Employee Resource Groups created to connect employees with common interests to promote inclusion and provide perspective.

Reporting to Project Management, the AS CAD Designer (Level I) works in collaboration with clients, contractors and internally with Engineering and Production Teams to design & draft custom project solutions at an architectural scale. The incumbent works from construction documents to translate the client’s initial drawings into something that can be easily manufactured and installed while evaluating and rationalizing design intent. They will work in collaboration with project management and Engineering to create shop drawings for client signoff, and develops the documentation for manufacturing.

Reporting to Project Management, the AS Senior CAD Designer (Level II) works in collaboration with clients, contractors and internally with Engineering and Production Teams to design & draft custom project solutions at an architectural scale. In support of AS Project Managers, they facilitate projects at all stages, from initial kickoff in Design through to Production, and provide continued support as needed during and after installation.  The incumbent works from a sketch, inspiration imagery, and/or construction documents to evaluate design intent, rationalize application, and develop solutions that can be easily manufactured and installed. This level of the role creates proposal drawings and validates those proposals through prototypes, creates shop drawings for client signoff, and develops the documentation for manufacturing. The scope of this level spans all project types from customized layouts to fully custom development, with an emphasis on high-value or high-complexity work.

What’s in it for you!

• Help shape custom architectural solutions from concept to installation.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and Production teams.
• Be part of a supportive, hands-on, idea-driven environment.

What You’ll Do

Note:  Level II Designers may also perform the tasks described in the level below them with less supervision.  

Level I – Grade 8 

• Develop drawings and documentation through the lifecycle of projects from Design to Engineering and support the drop into Production in collaboration with Project Management. 
• Own major aspects of projects from assignment through to install, ensuring successful implementation at every stage and clean handoffs. Work together with the various departments as needed and coordinates time and project need with teammates. 
• Communicate schedule and project needs to the AS Project Manager to ensure accurate loading and scheduling, while also managing schedules and project timelines. 
• Always deliver quality work. 
• Projects 

• Verify project design intent; communicate with the various project and process leads to ensure accuracy. 
• Follow company design drawing standards; create all project drawings, drafting, and documents for Project Management, Engineering, and Production. 
• Seek peer review for projects to evaluate and verify product use.  
• Get involved in client meetings with the Project Manager to discuss feedback and maintain product requirements. 
• Advocate and balance the client's best interests with the company’s interests. 
• Support as needed to ensure projects stay on track and on time at all phases. 
• Develop custom design solutions and products for custom and boutique projects in tandem with the AS Project Manager.  Serve as a maker who validates through prototyping all proposed custom solutions and their feasibility for mass manufacture, in collaboration with Engineering. 
• Seek peer review for projects and customizations to evaluate and verify design applications.  
• Internal 
• Work on internal special projects in tandem with the project or process leads.  
• Follow best practices in digital housekeeping of project files and documentation, ensuring accuracy and organization. 
• Maintain a physical presence and assistance on the Production and Assembly floor at the facility.
• Contribute to a positive and productive studio /workspace environment, actively finding ways to build upon or contribute to our studio culture. 
• Work on internal development or special projects in tandem with the project or process leads.  

Level II – Grade 9 

• Lead the development of drawings and documentation through the lifecycle of projects from Design to Engineering and supports the drop into Production in collaboration with Project Management. 
• Lead and Mentor 

• Work closely with peers and takes the lead role in the management and execution of their assigned projects, often working with minimal input from the AS Project Manager. 
• Assist in the review of drawings and projects, ensuring the accuracy and quality of work at all stages. 
• Apply knowledge and experience in the mentoring of their peers to assist in their development; also assist in training new hires. 
• Lead on high volume or complex projects, coordinating the work between teammates; create well organized project files for use across teams. 
• Identify opportunities to adjust standards to best suit the project, coordinating changes back to the AS Project Manager. 

• Major contributor to shop drawings, installation drawings, BOM’s, and all other documentation through the lifecycle of the project. 
• Review all incoming documents from the client to ensure complete and accurate capture of scope and design intent. 
• Verify project design intent and application from received client documents, identifying areas of concern or issue. 
• Communicate and document changes or modifications during the drawing process. 
• Coordinate thru Project Management with the estimating team for scope, pricing, and product accuracy on active projects, providing all necessary documentation to develop pricing on proposals and projects. 
• Work directly with AS Project Managers on assigned projects keeping them informed of project statuses, questions, and needs. 
• Assist in the review and handoff of engineering and production content. 
• Validate through prototyping all customized solutions and their feasibility for mass manufacture, coordinating with stakeholders in collaboration with Project Management and Engineering. 
• Supporting voice of Design in client meetings to discuss feedback and maintain project requirements. 
• Document meeting notes and project updates from meetings, keep stakeholders informed, and incorporate changes into the project. 
• Assist the teams on the production floor as needed / scheduled, proactively identifying needs, and scheduling their time to best steward the success of the project. 
• Internal 

• Answer questions pertaining to machining process, material constraints, hardware configurations, timing, etc. 
• Explore and prototype ideas, and actively helps others to work through their ideas. 
• Lead conversations on design and process improvements, communicating up to their managers with proposed solutions. 
• May work across departments or with external stakeholders as required.  
• Get involved in development or other activities as coordinated by their manager.

What will make you successful

• Knowledge of Windows Applications, including Microsoft Office and operating systems.  
• Comfortable in high tolerance CAD/CAM production via CNC, as well as the production of shop drawings. Knowledge of digital fabrication techniques as well as CNC and/or prototyping experience is necessary. 
• Ability to read and translate construction documents, ideation and form development, knowledge of materials and manufacturing process, firsthand experience in mock-ups, prototyping & mechanical aptitude.  
• Able to prioritize and manage project deadlines.
• Proficient in Rhino 3D.
• Excellent communication and people skills; collaborator.  
• Initiative-taker with a strong ability to multi-task and juggle multiple responsibilities. 

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in architecture, industrial design, or a related field.  MA preferred for Level II but not required. 
• Minimum 1-3 years’ (Level I) experience in architecture and/or product design.  
• Minimum 3-5 years’ (Levels II) experience in architecture and/or product design.  
• Experience with Grasshopper preferred.

Why should you join Arktura LLC, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

About Arktura LLC

At Arktura, we make design happen. Creativity, expert knowledge and cutting-edge technology shape everything we do whether it's exploring form and function in our standard architectural product, adapting our pre-configured architectural systems to meet project needs, or partnering with clients through our Solutions Studio. Our multidisciplinary team brings together architects, designers, programmers, engineers and artists with a deep understanding of the creative process. We use our collective ingenuity to bridge the gaps between design intent and manufacturing capabilities, creating proprietary software and machinery to meet evolving demands.

Please visit our website at www.arktura.com to learn more about us. 

About Armstrong World Industries, Inc.

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions in the Americas. With approximately $1.3B in revenue, AWI has about 3,600 employees and a manufacturing network of twenty-one facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 160 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable ceiling solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow. We are committed to:

Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce; Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet; Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play; Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

About the location (Carson, CA)

Carson is a city in the South Bay and the Harbor regions of Los Angeles County, California, located 13 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.  Carson is a thriving, diverse, destination city - a great place to live, work and play with an unlimited future.  While Carson is well known as an industrial center with unparalleled access to transportation and the Pacific Rim, it is also a culturally diverse community that is an attractive place to live and work. The city has more than 120 acres of park land divided into 12 parks, 2 mini-parks and sports/recreational facilities that include 3 swimming pools, a boxing center, a state-of-the art sports complex and the Carson Community Center. 

Arktura LLC is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce. As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at talentacquisition@armstrongceilings.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!

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