Demo

CAD Drafter 5

DOWL HKM
Portland, OR Full Time
POSTED ON 8/12/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/11/2026
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

The CAD Drafter 5 is responsible for performing high level drafting services using CAD software and Civil3D for a variety of civil engineering, permitting, and survey related tasks. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, organizational skills, and judgment. A CAD Drafter 5 should demonstrate advanced level drafting proficiency and be able to mentor other with less experience. A draft-person is expected to work well with others, provide constructive feedback to those with less experience, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.
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
  • Bluebeam Revu - Advanced Proficiency
  • Revit and/or other BIM software Advanced Proficiency - Preferred
  • OpenRoads Proficiency - Preferred
  • Advanced Proficiency in one or both major civil engineering CAD Platforms (Autodesk and Civil 3D; or Microstation)
Technical Expertise
  • Advanced understanding of technical fundamentals
  • Demonstrates expertise to others within and beyond market sector
  • Leads internal mentoring and training
  • Provides quality control of complex deliverables
Teamwork

Team player and team leader able to follow on large or complex projects. Provides clear communication and direction, sets expectations, and takes responsibility for results of the team. Follows established practice area workflows and create and implement workflow improvements.
Project Delivery
  • Leads the production of and provides quality control for the following:
    • Plan sheets
    • Exhibits
  • Back checks all redlines and instructions have been incorporated
  • Reviews all assigned deliverables for consistency
  • Compiles, updates, and reviews milestone submittal plan sets
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. Mentors others on above. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget.
Industry Standards and Regulations
  • Expertly applies the following drafting standards with advanced skill:
    • Drafting fundamentals
    • CAD standards for DOWL and DOWL clients (e.g., Cities, Counties, States, Federal)
    • Accurately interpreting redlines and updating CAD drawings and details
    • Creating new sheets for projects and keeping work product organized in multiple layered files (e.g., xrefs)
  • Actively mentors others on interpreting drafting standards
  • Understands client drafting preferences and requirements
  • Stays current on innovative practices and suggests workflow adjustments to implement positive change
Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large/complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Participates in project interviews.
Other

Other duties as assigned.
Level of Work/Accountability

Primarily performs advanced drafting tasks on complex, demanding projects for the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. Mentors others with less experience. May provide design guidance to designers.
Supervisory Duties

No
Education and/or Experience
  • Associate's Degree preferred
  • Years of experience required: 10 years
  • Years of experience required with advanced degree: 9 years
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
  • Autodesk/Bentley certifications preferred
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

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.
Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Salary.com Estimation for CAD Drafter 5 in Portland, OR
$157,605 to $192,469
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