Drafter

Job Details: Job Location: Corporate Headquarters - Denver, CO 80224, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Not Specified, Salary Range: $24.00 - $38.00 Hourly, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Design,
About Sunward Steel

For over 50 years, Sunward Steel Buildings has been doing things differently. We’re a family-owned, American manufacturer and we don’t just sell steel buildings, we partner with our customers to bring their vision to life. From industrial facilities, aircraft hangars, and self-storage complexes to arenas, barndominiums, agricultural buildings, and fitness centers, we engineer and manufacture fully custom solutions delivered to every state in the U.S. and across Canada. No two projects are alike, and that’s exactly how we like it. Our mission is simple: fulfill our customers’ visions into dreams that last generations. We achieve that by listening first, designing second, and delivering a needs-based solution that actually fits - not a cookie-cutter product pushed from a catalog. That commitment to partnership is what’s kept us growing for half a century, and it’s what makes Sunward a place where the work genuinely matters.

Position Summary

The Drafter is a technical production role at the core of Sunward’s engineering workflow. You will transform sales orders, customer drawings, and construction documents into precise, accurate, and buildable steel building drawings - working closely with structural engineers, senior drafters, and the broader engineering team to deliver every project on time and to specification. This role sits at the intersection of technical precision and real-world construction, and the drawings you produce directly drive what gets manufactured and shipped to customers across the country.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Drawing Production

Create accurate anchor bolt and permit drawings based on engineering designs and customer specifications for each sales order.
Prepare structural drawings - foundation plans, framing elevations, cross-sections, and connection details - using CAD software in accordance with Sunward’s standards and applicable building codes.
Prepare shipping lists and shop drawings for manufacturing, ensuring all parts are correctly identified, dimensioned, and sequenced for production.
Review and verify the accuracy of all parts against the design before releasing drawings to manufacturing.

Design Coordination

Review and incorporate design changes from structural engineers, architects, and customers into existing drawing sets with accuracy and version control discipline.
Identify and escalate conflicts, missing information, or constructability concerns to the engineer of record or Drafting Manager before they impact production or delivery.
Ensure all drawings comply with applicable local, state, and national building codes and regulations.
Collaborate with the engineering team to resolve technical questions and refine design details throughout the project lifecycle.

Project & Schedule Management

Follow the manufacturing and delivery schedule, prioritizing drawing production to meet project deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
Maintain organized and complete drawing files and project records in Sunward’s document management system.
Communicate proactively with the Drafting Manager and project team regarding drawing status, blockers, and schedule risks.

Other duties may be assigned as business needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

2+ years of drafting experience in an architectural, structural, mechanical, or construction environment
Working knowledge of CAD software (AutoCAD, Revit, or similar)
Ability to read, interpret, and produce architectural and structural engineering drawings
Solid understanding of basic math, trigonometry, and geometry as applied to construction and fabrication
Strong attention to detail and organizational discipline - accuracy in drawing production is non-negotiable
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills
High school diploma or equivalent required

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB), structural steel, or non-residential construction drafting
Familiarity with MBS (Metal Building Software) or other PEMB-specific design platforms
Experience preparing shop drawings and shipping lists for steel fabrication or manufacturing
Knowledge of IBC, local building codes, and seismic/wind load requirements
Associate’s degree in Drafting, Engineering Technology, Architecture, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

Core Competencies

Technical Accuracy - measures twice, draws once; errors in drawings create real manufacturing and cost consequences
Detail Orientation - catches discrepancies between design intent and drawing output before they reach production
Collaboration - works effectively with engineers, senior drafters, and project managers across disciplines
Adaptability - comfortable managing competing priorities and changing design requirements in a production-driven environment
Initiative - identifies problems and raises them proactively rather than waiting to be asked

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Group Life Insurance & AD&D - 100% company-paid
Long-Term Disability - 100% company-paid
Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
401(k) Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
128 hours of Paid Time Off
8 paid holidays

Physical Requirements

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.

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Occasional visits to construction sites or manufacturing facilities requiring ability to navigate uneven surfaces and wear appropriate PPE
Must be able to occasionally lift up to 15 lbs

Work Environment

Primary work location is an indoor office environment
Occasional exposure to manufacturing floor or construction site conditions during site visits
Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where drawing accuracy and turnaround time directly impact production schedules

Additional Requirements

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States

Background Check: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sunward Steel and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, family or parental status, or any other status protected by law. Sunward Steel is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us prior to your interview.
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