What do Mechanical Designers and Drafter do?

Engineering Guide and Review

What Do Mechanical Designers (Drafters) Do?

Mechanical designers work on today's and tomorrow's mechanical challenges. For example:

Mechanical Designers create machines, products, and new technologies. Mechanical design typically involves the use of computer aided design software (CAD) and tools. Mechanical designers should have knowledge of drafting practices and standards depending on industry and products for which they design. Knowledge such as simple limits tolerancing techniques or geometric dimensioning and tolerancing ( GD&T) may be required. They may design automation and robotics, heating and ventilation or refrigeration.  Some of the largest industries employing mechanical designers are: Aerospace, automotive, architecture and government . More than half of mechanical designers are employed in manufacturing mostly in machinery, transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and fabricated metal products manufacturing industries. 

Typical Mechanical Design Titles:

  • Detailer
  • Drafter
  • Senior Drafter
  • Designer
  • Senior Designer
  • Principal Designer
  • Associate Engineer
  • Engineer
  • Design Engineer