Entry Level CAD Designer
The Entry Level CAD Designer will support the design, upgrade, and maintenance of electrical distribution systems for a major energy provider in the Carolinas. This role involves creating CAD layouts, conducting field visits, coordinating projects, and ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory standards. It offers a blend of technical design work and hands-on field experience, ideal for candidates seeking to grow a career in power utilities and distribution.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This Entry-Level CAD Designer (Distribution Designer) will support electrical distribution design projects for a Confidential Client in the Charlotte, NC area, working closely with engineers and project managers. The role blends office-based CAD drafting with field verification and project coordination across the Carolinas.
Key responsibilities:
- Create and revise power distribution layouts using CAD tools to support system improvements, relocations, and new construction
- Conduct field visits to gather as-built data, validate plans, and reconcile drawings with real-world conditions
- Assist with planning and coordinating grid upgrades, maintenance tasks, and infrastructure expansions across North and South Carolina
- Support permitting and compliance tasks, including right-of-way easements, DOT encroachments, and railroad/transmission approvals
- Ensure designs align with environmental and regulatory requirements
- Communicate with engineers, clients, contractors, and other stakeholders to keep projects on schedule
Location & Compensation
This position is based in Charlotte, NC (Charlotte Metro).
Estimated compensation: $72,083 per year (estimated).
Minimum Qualifications
- BS or AS in Engineering preferred (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil/Industrial degrees are relevant)
- 2–4 years of professional experience in utilities, telecom, power distribution, or a closely related field (entry-level applicants with strong internship/capstone experience may be considered)
- Hands-on experience with CAD/design software (AutoCAD, MicroStation, SolidWorks, or other 2D/3D drafting tools)
- Strong attention to detail and ability to balance office drafting with occasional fieldwork
- Good verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration
Preferred (Nice-to-Have)
- Prior experience as an AutoCAD drafter/technician in telecom, electrical, or utilities environments
- Internship or senior capstone project experience related to engineering design
- Experience working with or for a large energy provider (listed employer names replaced by Confidential Client per job posting rules)
- Leadership experience or demonstrated initiative on projects
- Telecom and utility distribution design exposure
Work Environment & Travel
- Combination of office-based CAD work and regular field visits; must be comfortable performing site walks and data collection
- Project work will require coordination across locations in North and South Carolina; occasional travel between project sites is expected
- This is a full-time role with opportunities to develop long-term technical skills in power distribution and utility design
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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