DARC Technical Illustrator

Overview

Engineering position focused on creating and maintaining high-quality engineering drawings, technical illustrations, and as-built documentation for a deep space radar program. Work with 3D CAD models, adhere to ASME standards, and support product configuration and lifecycle data within a multidisciplinary environment.
Responsibilities

Create and maintain detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and as-built documentation for complex mechanical and system designs.

Develop clear, accurate technical illustrations from 3D models using SolidWorks and related tools.

Check completed layouts and drawings for clarity, completeness, and conformity to standards, procedures, specifications, and ASME requirements.

Verify the accuracy of calculations, dimensions, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing on all drawings and documentation.

Identify design errors, omissions, and other deficiencies in drawings and models, and recommend revisions or improvements to responsible engineers or designers.

Support the overall Production Lifecycle Management (PLM) system by creating, maintaining, and organizing product and CAD data.

Establish and maintain system configuration baselines, including indentured parts lists and drawing trees with appropriate levels of indenture.

Perform project engineering-type functions for a small group of engineers, including task management, customer interactions, and coordination with program management on schedules and work scope.

Present and clearly articulate complex designs, drawings, and technical concepts to both internal and external customers.

Collaborate with engineering, program management, and other stakeholders to drive design drawings and specifications to conclusion across the product development life cycle.

Support design verification activities and contribute to verification reporting as needed.

Assist with the design and modeling of mechanical hardware interfaces, such as mounting brackets and related structures.

Contribute to cable management and cable assembly requirements for RF and fiber optic applications where applicable.

Support integrated electrical systems setup, testing, and issue resolution in coordination with multidisciplinary teams.

Participate in the integration of mechanical and electrical instrumentation, including assisting with electrical checkout of sensors and data acquisition hardware.

Apply knowledge of test design and execution to support validation and verification efforts.

Leverage production lifecycle management tools such as Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, Enovia, or ARAS to manage CAD and product data.

Use or support the use of AI drafting assistants to generate 3D models from text prompts where appropriate.

Contribute to an AGILE, SCRUM, or DevOps-oriented development environment by providing timely, accurate technical documentation.

Support radar-related projects, including those associated with USAF/DoD radar systems and technical orders, as applicable to the role.

Essential Skills

Active Secret security clearance (with Active TS/SCI required for both drafter and drafter/illustrator positions).

Level 3 qualification: 5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor of Science, 3 years with a Master’s degree, or 1 year with a PhD.

Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.

Proficiency with 3D CAD modeling software, including experience with NX, Creo, and/or SolidWorks.

Demonstrated experience generating and creating engineering drawings compliant with ASME standards.

Experience generating indentured parts lists and organizing drawing trees with multiple levels of indenture.

Experience establishing and maintaining a system configuration baseline for complex systems.

Solid understanding of mechanical design principles, including analysis and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

Experience using production lifecycle management (PLM) systems to manage product and CAD data, such as Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, Enovia, or ARAS.

Ability to perform project engineering functions for a small group, including task management, customer interactions, and coordination with program management on schedules and scope.

Ability to present and articulate complex designs and technical information to internal and external stakeholders.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

Ability to focus on both detailed elements and the broader system-level context of a complex system of systems.

For the drafter role (level 2/3): demonstrated experience with SolidWorks and CAD drafting.

For the drafter/illustrator role (level 2/3): demonstrated experience with SolidWorks and CorelDRAW, including the ability to develop illustrations directly from models.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Active TS/SCI clearance (preferred and required for specific positions).

Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field (preferred).

Experience with Siemens Teamcenter for managing products and CAD data.

Experience driving design drawings and specifications to completion across the entire product development life cycle.

Experience or knowledge related to design verification and verification reporting.

Experience designing and modeling mechanical hardware interfaces, such as mounting bracketry.

Experience with cable management and cable assembly requirements for RF and fiber optic applications.

Experience with integrated electrical systems setup, testing, and issue resolution.

Experience integrating mechanical and electrical instrumentation, including electrical checkout of sensors and data acquisition hardware.

Knowledge of test design and execution in an engineering environment.

Work experience in a government contracting environment.

Experience with USAF or DoD radar systems.

Experience utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) drafting assistants to generate 3D models from text prompts.

Experience working with USAF Technical Orders.

Experience working within AGILE, SCRUM, or DevOps frameworks.

Interest in and aptitude for supporting deep space radar systems and related advanced technologies.

Work Environment

The role supports a deep space radar program designed to provide 24/7, all-weather capabilities for detecting, tracking, identifying, and characterizing objects in deep space, including at geosynchronous earth orbit altitudes. The systems offer higher sensitivity, better accuracy, increased capacity, and more agile tracking than current radars, and they support tracking launches to geosynchronous orbit altitudes. The position follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing a structured yet flexible workweek. The work location is near the Colorado Springs Airport in the COCO-1 building, with no on-base work required. You will work in a professional engineering environment that uses modern 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, NX, and Creo, as well as PLM systems like Siemens Teamcenter, Windchill, Enovia, or ARAS. The culture emphasizes collaboration, precision, and innovation, with opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge radar and space-related technologies while interacting with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.
Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $160000.00/hr.

Benefits include medical, dental & vision; retirement plan options; life insurance; disability coverage; transportation benefits; and paid time off (PTO).

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Colorado Springs, CO.
Application Notes

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 2026. Candidates may need to undergo eligibility checks and may be required to provide information related to security clearances.
Disclaimer: This description may include information on requirements and benefits that are subject to change. The description does not constitute a contractual offer of employment.

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