Mechanical engineering drafter

Mechanical engineering drafter article illustration

Description

Mechanical engineering drafters convert mechanical engineers’ designs and sketches into technical drawings detailing dimensions, fastening and assembling methods, and other specifications used, for example, in manufacturing processes.

Some common duties of a mechanical engineering drafter include:

  • using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create 2D and 3D models of products,
  • reviewing and revising technical drawings and schematics,
  • collaborating with engineers and other team members to ensure the accuracy and completeness of designs,
  • staying up to date with industry trends and advancements in technology.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to mechanical engineering drafter:

mechanical drafting consultant
mechanical design draughting inspector
mechanical drafting specialist
mechanical drafting adviser
mechanical technology drafting specialist
mechanics engineering draftsperson
mechanics engineering draughtsperson
mechanical design drafting operative
mechanical design draughting operator
mechanics engineering draughter
mechanical design draughter
mechanical technology drafter
mechanical design drafting inspector
machinery engineering draughtsperson
mechanical design draughting supervisor
mechanical engineering drafting apprentice
machinery engineering draftsperson
mechanical drafting expert
machinery engineering drafter
mechanical draughter
machinery engineering draughter
mechanical technology drafting consultant
mechanical design drafting operator
mechanical design draughting operative
mechanical draftsperson
mechanical engineering draughting apprentice
mechanical design drafter
mechanical design drafting supervisor
mechanical technology drafting adviser
mechanical draughtsperson
mechanical technology drafting expert
mechanical design drafting engineer
mechanical design draughting engineer

Working conditions

Working conditions for mechanical engineering drafters vary depending on the type of company and industry they work in. They may work in an office or manufacturing facility, and may be required to wear protective gear when visiting production sites. They typically work full-time and may be required to work overtime or weekends to meet project deadlines.

Minimum qualifications

Education and training requirements for mechanical engineering drafters generally include a high school diploma or equivalent, along with post-secondary coursework or an associate degree in mechanical drafting or a related field. Some employers may also require certification in specific CAD software programs. Strong computer and communication skills, as well as attention to detail, are important qualities for success in this role.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Mechanical engineering drafter is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Mechanical engineering drafter career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to mechanical engineering drafter.

product development engineering drafter
rolling stock engineering drafter
3D printing technician
marine engineering drafter
automotive engineering drafter

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of mechanical engineering drafter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of mechanical engineering drafter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automotive designer
fluid power engineer
industrial tool design engineer
container equipment design engineer
rotating equipment engineer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mechanical engineering drafter.

  • Design drawings: Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
  • Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
  • Principles of mechanical engineering: Understand principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.
  • Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
  • Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
  • CADsoftware: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
  • Manual draughting techniques: Techniques used for creating detailed drawings of designs by using specialised pencils, rulers, templates and scales.
  • Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of mechanical engineering drafter.

  • Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
  • Use manual draughting techniques: Use non-computerised draughting techniques to make detailed drawings of designs by hand with specialised tools such as pencils, rulers and templates.
  • Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and drawings using specialised software.
  • Create technical plans: Create detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.
  • Use CAD software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
  • Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mechanical engineering drafter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Material mechanics: The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.
  • CADD software: The computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process.
  • Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
  • 3D modelling: The process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The model can also be physically created using 3D printing devices.
  • Blueprints: Must be able to read and understand blueprints, drawings and plans and maintain simple written records.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mechanical engineering drafter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Calculate materials: Determine the amount and the kind of materials necessary to build certain machines or equipment.
  • Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
  • Create a product’s virtual model: Create a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.
  • Use CADD software: Use computer-aided design and drafting software to make detailed drawings and blueprints of designs.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Advise client on technical possibilities: Recommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.
  • Maintain mechanical equipment: Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect malfunction. Service, repair, adjust, and test machines, parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical principles. Maintain and repair vehicles meant for cargo, passengers, farming and landscaping.
  • Draft design specifications: List the design specifications, such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.
  • Review drafts: Proofread and give feedback on technical drawings or drafts.

ISCO group and title

3118 – Draughtspersons


References
  1. Mechanical engineering drafter – ESCO
  2. Mechanical drafters: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more – RaiseMe
  3. Professional Mechanical Drafter Job Description Template | MightyRecruiter
  4. Featured image: By Max Freeman – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated on May 8, 2023