CAD Design Specialist

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you're valued-we support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Transportation Planning and Design

Join our dynamic team of transportation planners and designers dedicated to creating innovative, practical solutions that improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility. Collaborating closely with our traffic engineers, you'll help develop and implement roadway improvements that solve immediate traffic challenges while supporting long-term community goals. If you're passionate about shaping smarter, safer transportation systems, we'd love you to be a part of our team!

Summary

Join our dynamic Transportation, Planning, and Design team as a CAD Design Specialist and play a key role in shaping vital civil infrastructure projects. In this position, you'll perform moderately complex design tasks using advanced CAD software across a diverse range of civil engineering disciplines. We're looking for someone with a strong work ethic, a commitment to continuous learning, and the ability to apply both 2D and 3D design concepts with confidence and precision. As a Design Specialist, you'll collaborate closely with experienced professionals and contribute meaningfully to impactful projects-all while building your skills under the mentorship of licensed engineers. If you're organized, communicative, and passionate about design, we want to hear from you.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Proficient
• Market Sector Software (AutoCAD C3D) - Proficient
• Market Sector Software (e.g., MicroStation, OpenRoads, Revit, ArcGIS) - Proficient (If applicable)
• Other market sector task-specific software programs as applicable - Developing (if applicable)

Technical Expertise

• Fully proficient understanding of technical fundamentals related to the market sector
• Leads technical efforts on a variety of project types, sizes, and complexities
• Mentors others on technical tasks and skills
• Performs technical checking of moderately complex deliverables

Teamwork

Team player who leads small teams (1-2 people) to complete challenging assignments. Independent thinker. Provides clear communication and direction to others and takes responsibility for their results.

Project Delivery

Produces the following under limited direction/oversight from a licensed engineer and oversees others with less experience:

• Technical reports and memos
• Project specifications
• Construction quantity calculations and cost estimates
• Design documents and construction plans
• Technical approach content for proposals

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget. Mentors others on above.

Industry Standards and Regulations

• Interprets, selects, and employs market sector-specific and client-specific design standards and codes, as applicable, with advanced skill
• Actively mentors others on interpreting design codes
• Understands limitations of design codes

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients to resolve technical issues on moderate to complex projects. Leads client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs advanced levels of technical work on large, complex projects as a trusted technical member of the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. May perform some assistant project management tasks. Provides technical guidance on proposals.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Years of experience required: 6 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 5 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Design-specific certifications preferred
• Must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to create and interpret graphs and understand statistical analysis.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Position may include periodic site visits and inspection work on project sites.