Designer

LED FastStart•Shreveport, LA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Designer creates AutoCAD and 3D CAD designs for non-skid kits, marine craft, and other Louisiana Association for the Blind (L.A.B.) products. The role also produces 3D-printed prototypes, parts, and production aids, including accessible tools for employees who are blind or have low vision. The Designer works with Navy and Coast Guard personnel, may conduct vessel inspections, and supports projects with tight deadlines alongside employees with visual impairments. Responsibilities span design and drafting, additive manufacturing, production support for laser and CNC work, government and commercial projects, documentation, and collaboration. The Designer develops detailed 2D and 3D designs and drawings, reviews layouts, proposes alternatives, and makes requested corrections. For 3D printing, the Designer prepares models and build files, selects materials and settings, operates and maintains printers, inspects and finishes parts, and manages model and print-setting records. The role also supports production paperwork and quality assurance, communicates with military personnel and equipment manufacturers, maintains accurate design records and confidential customer materials, and provides general departmental support.

Requirements

Working knowledge of CNC machine operations and software.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with military personnel and equipment manufacturers.
Ability to work with project teams and meet tight deadlines.
Ability to perform remote or field work, including inspections aboard vessels, as needed.

Responsibilities

Generate AutoCAD designs and drawings for non-skid kits, marine craft, and other L.A.B. products according to applicable standards.
Develop detailed 2D and 3D designs and drawings for non-skid projects and military or patrol marine craft using customer layouts or specifications.
Review design layouts for compatibility with basic design concepts, provide alternative concepts to meet customer requirements, and make corrections requested by senior staff.
Create and modify 3D CAD models for parts, prototypes, jigs, fixtures, tooling, and production aids; export print-ready files in STL, 3MF, STEP, and OBJ formats.
Apply design-for-additive-manufacturing principles and prepare slicer build files with suitable settings for each part and material.
Select 3D-printing materials based on strength, heat, chemical and UV exposure, and end-use requirements.
Set up, operate, monitor, calibrate, and maintain 3D printers; troubleshoot failed or defective prints.
Post-process printed parts and inspect them against drawings for dimensional accuracy and fit.
Produce prototypes and test-fit samples to validate designs before laser cutting, die making, or production runs.
Design and print production aids, including accessible fixtures and tactile guides for employees who are blind or have low vision.
Reverse-engineer existing or replacement parts from samples, measurements, or 3D scans when drawings are unavailable.
Estimate print time, material use, and costs for quoting and job costing; maintain a controlled library of 3D models, slicer profiles, settings, and revision history.
Monitor filament and resin inventory and storage conditions, and follow manufacturer and SDS guidance for printer operation, ventilation, and material handling.
Submit AutoCAD designs for laser cutting with operator needs in mind and ensure designs are loaded into the laser cutter before manufacturing.
Maintain working knowledge of CNC machine operations and software; prepare project assignments, production paperwork, and labels.
Establish drawings and checklists for quality assurance inspections and assist in meeting production goals.
Communicate verbally and in writing with military personnel and equipment manufacturers.
Perform remote or field work as needed, including vessel inspections to verify that products match Navy and Coast Guard vessel layouts.
Maintain current knowledge of Navy and Coast Guard regulations relevant to L.A.B. products.
Maintain accurate, correctly formatted engineering drawing and design records on company servers and update the design records database.
Compile and update working processes and procedures, maintain confidentiality of customer drawings and designs, and provide general administrative support to the department.
Collaborate with others and project teams to establish timelines and design processes, solve problems, and complete projects on time.