Associate Design Drafter

This is an individual contributor position in the Utility division. You will read and interpret customer order information. You will process orders for production and customer submittal drawings, consistent with Valmont standard practices, in the low to moderate range of complexity. You will prepare the necessary drawings, using 2-D and 3-D modeling techniques, and other data for the teams, other departments and the manufacturing facilities, and interfaces, under guidance from the Division Drafting Manager/Drafting Supervisor, directly with other company departments on customer order and manufacturing problems. Limited customer contact may be required to aid the design/order process.

The Drafting Department processes drawings, using 2-D and 3-D modeling techniques for customers and the manufacturing facilities while maintaining the goals for quality and lead-time. You will work with people in all departments to maintain amiable and profitable relationships.

You will, with guidance, read and interpret customer specifications, plans and other order information to determine the format required to complete customer orders. You will report any inconsistent, conflicting or missing customer information to the Drafting Manager or a Senior Design Drafter. All Associate Design Drafter work must be checked by a Drafting Supervisor, Senior Design Drafter or Design Drafter. You will not be allowed to check any work.

You will have knowledge of departmental and company goals, procedures, and the products represented. Deviations from these shall be minimal and only when beneficial to the department, division and company.

You will play an important part in the results of the department and the division. You are allowed to establish work routines and schedules, within company policies, to maintain efficient order flow. You may recommend and help develop revisions to standard product designs and drafting procedures to improve the department and the division.

Essential Functions:

• You will report to the Division Drafting/Drafting Supervisor and have no direct reports or indirect reports
• You will not be required to travel
• Utilize 2-D and 3-D modeling techniques to prepare drawings based on customer order specifications
• Investigate and analyze design problems
• Determine changes, corrections and requirements to meet project demands
• Make sketches for use by other designer/drafters
• Interpret specifications and standards and provide information to others to ensure that customer requirements are met or improved
• Requisition parts and products that are used in or interact with company products
• Prepare lists and quantities for use by others in purchasing function
• Contact and discuss details of assignment with other engineers, production supervisors, customers and suppliers and prepares necessary sketches and drawing for use in producing manufacturing plans
• Communicate with customers, both oral and written, to resolve specification questions in preparation of drawings
• Provide assistance and input on project basis to other team members in development of shop drawings
• Comply with our attendance policy
• Follow prescribed safety rules and regulations

Important Details about the Role:

• Review customer contract drawings, specifications or instructions from Team members, Supervisors, Engineering, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing
• Manage the department backlog by overseeing order schedules, providing updates to computerized backlog and meeting "Promises Kept" according to our departmental priorities
• Maintain required productivity output according to our departmental priorities
• Maintain required order accuracy according to our departmental priorities
• Maintain a cooperative attitude in dealing with all departments of the company
• Maintain an accurate filing system of customer requirements
• Maintain an awareness of current Drafting procedures
• Maintain an awareness of current manufacturing capabilities
• Recommend and help implement changes to standard drafting systems
• Recommend and help implement changes to standard designs to improve customer acceptance or reduce product cost
• Handle special assignments as requested by Division Drafting Manager/Drafting Supervisor
• Assist all departments in the interpretation of customer specification, manufacturing capabilities or drafting procedures
• Provide technical or drafting support of any department, for any project which will enhance product or company interest

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma and 1+ years of work/educational experience
• Technical skills in computer aided drafting and basic understanding of mathematics normally acquired through an Associate of Applied Science degree and/or related experience (includes Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry)
• Experience with 3-D modeling techniques (Required for Utility Division)
• Previous PC experience a must, including basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to read and interpret manufacturing drawings, design constraints and product requirements
• Ability to identify and report any inconsistent, conflicting or missing customer information to Division Drafting Manager/Drafting Supervisor or Senior Design Drafter
• Must have a number/math orientation
• Ability to identify and participate in process improvement opportunities aimed at reducing cost, improving efficiencies and increasing customer satisfaction
• Customer-focused, including positive customer feedback
• Acceptable attendance and prior work record

Highly Qualified Candidates Will Also Possess These Qualifications:

• Associates Degree in Drafting
• Autodesk Inventor 2013 or newer version
• AutoCAD 2013, Reproduction Equipment, Scientific Calculator and Drafting Equipment knowledge/experience
• Basic knowledge of Valmont products

Working Environment and Physical Efforts:

Work is typically performed in an office setting. You will be required to sit for extended periods of time and talk and listen on the phone and in personal conversations or meetings. Environment is fast paced and demanding most of the time. No travel requirements for this position. You will frequently be required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms while working in the office with different files and forms and while working on the computer. You will occasionally be required to stand and walk when moving about the office. You must use proper ergonomic safeguards such as monitor height and positions, keyboard location and height and proper wrists rests. You will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds in working with large files, binders, and computer equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.