Lead CAD Drafter

North Shore Steel • Houston, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

North Shore Steel is a trusted, industry-leading metals service center with more than 65 years of experience supporting customers across the Gulf Coast and nationwide. With locations in Houston and Beaumont, we provide a full range of structural steel products and value-added processing services, including cutting, machining, forming, rolling, and fabrication, helping customers across construction, energy, industrial, and OEM sectors move faster and build with confidence. Our legacy is rooted in reliability, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships.
At North Shore Steel, our Core Values guide how we work and lead: Be Safe Always, Provide Great Service, Do the Right Thing, Take the Initiative, and Maximize Your Potential. If these values resonate with you and you’re looking for a place where you can contribute, grow, and be part of a team that supports one another, we invite you to join our team.
Lead CAD Drafter - Plate Processing
North Shore Steel | Houston, TX
North Shore Steel is where CAD meets real-world execution.
For over 65 years, we’ve built a reputation for precision, reliability, and performance in steel processing. Our team doesn’t just design parts, we bring them to life through advanced cutting, forming, and fabrication that supports critical industries across the country.
We are seeking a Lead CAD Operator who wants to grow into a true expert in production-driven design, someone who understands that great CAD work isn’t just accurate, it’s efficient, manufacturable, and built for performance.
This role offers the opportunity to own your work, influence nesting strategy and material efficiency, and directly impact production outcomes. You won’t be working in isolation, your decisions will shape how work flows through the shop and how effectively we deliver for our customers.
If you take pride in precision, think in terms of optimization, and want to see your work come to life on the floor, this is the kind of role where you can do your best work.
This is a role for someone who wants to move beyond drafting and become a true technical leader in a production environment.

Requirements

• 5+ years of CAD and nesting experience in a steel service center or fabrication environment
• Advanced proficiency in:
• SolidWorks
• Tekla
• ProNest / PrimeCut
• Strong understanding of:
• CNC plasma and oxy-fuel cutting processes (Messer, Kinetic, or similar)
• Steel plate processing and fabrication methods
• Proven ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings and specifications
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Sound judgment and problem-solving capability in a fast-paced environment
• Professional communication skills and team-oriented mindset

Responsibilities

• Drawing Interpretation & CAD Development
• Interpret customer drawings, specifications, and project requirements with precision
• Convert customer-supplied files (PDF, DWG, etc.) into production-ready SolidWorks and Tekla models
• Develop detailed part and assembly drawings aligned with manufacturing capabilities
• Ensure all drawings meet internal standards and customer specifications
• Nesting & Production Optimization
• Create CNC nests using ProNest and PrimeCut for plasma and oxy-fuel cutting systems
• Optimize nests for material yield, cut time, and machine efficiency
• Align nests with machine capabilities (Messer, Kinetic, etc.) and production schedules
• Continuously refine nesting strategies based on real production feedback
• Quality & Accuracy
• Serve as the final check to ensure all drawings and nests are accurate and production-ready
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between customer requirements and manufacturability
• Maintain organized, version-controlled files for all drawings and nests
• Drive consistency and standardization across CAD and nesting practices
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Sales to support accurate quoting and material takeoffs
• Work closely with Production to ensure seamless execution on the floor
• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders to resolve technical questions quickly
• Lead-Level Contribution
• Set the standard for drawing quality, speed, and discipline
• Support training and development of less experienced CAD operators
• Contribute to process improvements, standardization, and operational excellence

Benefits

• At North Shore Steel, we invest in the well-being of our team. Full-time employees receive a robust benefits package that includes multiple Major Medical plan options, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life, Short-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, and HSA options for qualifying plans.
• We also provide Long-Term Disability, Basic Life, and AD&D coverage at no cost to you. You’ll also enjoy a generous holiday schedule, a competitive PTO program, and a Safe Harbor 401(k) with company contributions to support your long-term financial goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees