Senior CAD & Product Designer

Job Summary:

VVater seeks an experienced, multi-disciplinary CAD professional to own 3D/2D product design and permit-ready documentation for water treatment and purification products, including whole-home residential systems and light commercial applications across multiple U.S. jurisdictions. This role blends mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and site/civil considerations with premium industrial design: you’ll convert concepts into manufacturable products and PE-ready submittals, establish drafting standards, and collaborate with engineering, operations, suppliers, and installers to deliver accurate, code-aligned drawing packages, without being limited to a single state’s requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and maintain parametric 3D models in Fusion 360 (preferred) and disciplined 2D drawings in AutoCAD for housings/enclosures, manifolds and plumbing layouts, valves and sensors, electrical panels, wiring diagrams, mounting/anchorage, and installation hardware; produce complete manufacturing packs (ASME Y14.5 GD&T, BOMs, cut sheets, DXF/STEP, exploded views, assembly/installation instructions).
• Develop PE-reviewable plan sets and submittals for multi-state permitting: general notes, site/plan layouts, utility tie-ins, trench and backfill details, foundations/pads/anchorage, grading/drainage callouts, erosion-control notes, P&IDs (ISA S5.1), electrical one-lines and panel schedules (NEC-aligned), and accessibility callouts (ADA/ICC A117.1) with sensitivity to local amendments.
• Incorporate national standards and commonly adopted codes into designs and specs (e.g., IBC/IRC, IPC or UPC, NEC, NSF/ANSI 60/61/372 for drinking-water contact, relevant AWWA standards, UL/ETL listing considerations such as UL 50/50E enclosures and UL 508A panels) and coordinate state-specific environmental or utility requirements with AHJs.
• Apply industrial-design principles (form, ergonomics, surface modeling) to deliver high-end visuals and renders while ensuring DFM/DFA and cost efficiency across sheet metal, machined parts, plastics, castings, and purchased components.
• Run fit/clearance checks, interference detection, and basic tolerance stack-ups; perform light FEA as needed; integrate supplier models and verify against datasheets and critical dimensions.
• Establish and enforce CAD/PDM standards, templates, layer/linetype conventions, symbol libraries, and rigorous revision control; manage ECNs and as-built updates; maintain a reusable library of code-aligned details.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, controls, civil/site, and field teams to balance hydraulic, electrical, structural, and installation constraints; support prototyping, pilot builds, redlines, factory/field fit-ups, and rapid design iterations.
• Prepare clear submittal packages, respond to reviewer comments, and coordinate with licensed Professional Engineers for sealing where required (the designer will not seal drawings).
• Collaborate with supply chain and fabrication partners to optimize manufacturability, tolerances, finishes, and lead time; provide quick-turn drawing updates for sourcing and production.
• Perform all other duties as instructed by the company.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years professional CAD experience delivering fabrication-ready and permit-ready packages for water treatment/purification, plumbing/HVAC, residential water systems, industrial equipment, or closely related physical products.
• Expert proficiency in Fusion 360 (preferred) and strong 2D drafting in AutoCAD; PDM discipline (Fusion Team, Vault, or similar).
• Mastery of ASME Y14.5 GD&T, weld symbols, piping/electrical schematics, ISA P&ID conventions, BOM practices; comfortable with Bluebeam (or similar) for markups/submittals.
• Working knowledge of widely adopted U.S. codes/standards and how jurisdictions vary in their adoption (e.g., IBC/IRC; IPC or UPC; NEC; ADA/ICC A117.1; NSF/ANSI 60/61/372; AWWA standards; common UL listing pathways) and ability to research and apply local amendments efficiently.
• Broad, hands-on understanding across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and site/civil (foundations/anchorage, utility routing, clearances, easements/ROW, drainage considerations).
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate, attractive, and code-aligned drawing sets quickly;
• Strong communication skills and experience addressing AHJ review comments.
• Nice to have: Civil 3D or Revit/Navisworks; basic FEA; CAM familiarity; experience packaging drawings for certification/listing submissions (e.g., NSF/ANSI, UL/ETL).

• Please include a portfolio or Showreel for previous work you have executed successfully.
• As a part of our process to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of all applicants, assessment tests are required as part of our recruitment process. Unfortunately, should you elect not to participate in completing the assessment tests, your application will not be able to progress to the next stage or be considered during evaluation.