Freelance Fabrication Design Engineer / CAD Draughtsperson
Location: On-site visits to our manufacturing unit in Chesterfield, with remote working between visits
This is not a full time role, this is initially a short term contract for a set project, and we will continue to use you throughout the year as we secure more opportunites.
Contract: Freelance / ad hoc basis
Hours: Flexible, project-dependent
Rate: To be agreed based on experience
The opportunity
Hutchinson’s PVC Solutions is looking for an experienced freelance Fabrication Design Engineer or CAD Draughtsperson to support the development of a number of metal-framed product lines.
We currently manufacture and install a range of products. Several of the metal frames and fabricated components used within our products have historically been manufactured by external fabrication companies.
We are now looking for someone who can visit our unit on an occasional basis, review existing physical products and help us turn these into clear, accurate and repeatable fabrication drawings.
The role would suit a practical CAD professional who understands how metal products are fabricated, rather than someone focused solely on conceptual design.
Key responsibilities
You will work alongside our team to:
- Review and measure existing metal frames and fabricated products.
- Understand how the products are currently assembled, installed and used.
- Produce accurate 2D fabrication drawings from existing physical products.
- Specify dimensions, materials, section sizes, hole positions, fixing points and weld requirements.
- Create individual component drawings and complete assembly drawings.
- Develop clear cutting lists and bills of materials where required.
- Identify opportunities to simplify or improve the existing designs.
- Ensure drawings are practical, repeatable and suitable for manufacture.
- Help us standardise products that may currently vary between individual projects.
- Update drawings following prototype manufacture or workshop feedback.
- Maintain clear revision control across all drawings.
About you
We are looking for someone with:
- Strong experience producing 2D fabrication drawings.
- Practical knowledge of metal fabrication, welding and structural frames.
- Experience working from existing physical products, measurements or samples.
- The ability to translate workshop-built products into accurate manufacturing drawings.
- A good understanding of tolerances, materials, fixings and fabrication methods.
- Experience using AutoCAD or similar professional CAD software.
- The ability to work independently and communicate clearly with workshop and management teams.
- A practical, problem-solving approach to product development.
Experience designing fabricated frames, machinery guards, support structures, partitioning systems, access doors or similar industrial products would be particularly useful.
Working arrangement
This is a freelance, ad hoc position rather than a permanent full-time role.
The successful person will need to attend our unit occasionally to:
- Inspect existing products.
- Take measurements.
- Meet with our team.
- Review prototypes.
- Discuss changes with production staff.
The majority of the drawing work may then be completed remotely.
The initial project will involve documenting and standardising existing metal frame products, with the potential for further projects as we develop additional product lines.
Deliverables
Depending on the project, deliverables may include:
- Dimensioned 2D fabrication drawings.
- Component drawings.
- Assembly drawings.
- Cutting lists.
- Bills of materials.
- Material and section specifications.
- Welding and fixing details.
- PDF drawing packs.
- Editable CAD source files.
- Drawing revisions following fabrication feedback.
Pay: £50.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
