CAD Engineer Principal

Clearance Level
Secret
Category
Construction and Support
Location
Virginia Beach, Virginia
(Onsite Workplace)
Key Skills For Success

Autodesk AutoCAD

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Installation Design

Site Installation

Site Surveying

REQ#: RQ220904
Public Trust: None
Requisition Type: Regular
Your Impact

Own your opportunity to support our nation's defense. Make an impact by connecting and securing critical operations across the globe, keeping our country safe and secure.

Job Description

CAD ENGINEER PRINCIPAL

Make meaningful contributions that fuel critical outcomes for some of the most complex government and defense projects. Join GDIT as a Principal CAD Engineer for a career where your growth is just as important as the mission you support.

MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT

In this hybrid role, you will act as the crucial bridge between our engineering design and field installation teams. Supporting a program dedicated to the deployment of networks for classified and unclassified DoD facilities worldwide, you will ensure that network infrastructure is meticulously planned in the drafting room and flawlessly executed in the field.

By speaking the language of both the CAD engineers and the field technicians, you will reduce deployment friction, solve complex site challenges on the fly, and ensure our global installations strictly adhere to design standards.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

  • Design & Drafting: Create detailed 2D production drawings, and 3D models
    (as required) of mechanical, electrical, and network systems to support global deployments. Proficiency in Autodesk Inventor, or similar, and AutoCAD is highly preferred.
  • Equipment Installation: Actively participate in and support the physical on-site installation of network hardware, equipment, and cabling at DoD facilities globally.
  • Site Surveys & Verification: Conduct extensive site surveys at DoD facilities, Navy vessels, and/or remote facilities to gather data and verify existing configurations prior to deployment. Must have the physical ability to access confined spaces and climb ladders.
  • Technical Writing & Documentation: Provide input into the technical writing program by developing technical data packages, writing BESEPs, Site Survey Reports, and SOVTs in accordance with the Shore Installation Process Handbook, DoD/Navy specifications, and training support personnel.
  • Configuration Management: Manage the impact of design changes across installation design packages, bills of materials (BOM), and documentation to maintain strict configuration control throughout the installation lifecycle.
  • Collaboration & Leadership: Collaborate directly with customers, engineers, and production personnel to optimize designs for field deployment. Conduct risk assessments, participate in design reviews, and mentor junior drafters/installers to ensure standards are met.


WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

Bring your CAD expertise, hands-on installation experience, and drive for innovation to GDIT. To succeed in this role, you must have:

  • Education: Bachelor of Science, Associate's Degree, or equivalent work experience.
  • Experience: 10+ years of related experience blending CAD/drafting with field technical support.
  • Technical Skills: Proven ability to execute 2D drafting and manage BOMs, combined with hands-on hardware installation and technical writing capabilities. Familiarity with the Shore Installation Process Handbook (SIPH) and System Operating Verification Testing Preparation Execution Guide (SPEG), military specifications (MIL-SPECS) and NAVSEA standards is a plus.
  • Role Requirements: This role requires a minimum of 10% global travel to classified and unclassified DoW facilities.
  • Security clearance level: Secret
  • US citizenship required


GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.
● Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
● Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
● Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
● Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore a career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your ambition to deliver your best work.

Work Requirements
Years of Experience

10 + years of related experience

* may vary based on technical training, certification(s), or degree

Certification

AutoCAD Certified Professional | Autodesk - Autodesk

Travel Required

10-25%

Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship Required

Salary and Benefit Information

The likely salary range for this position is $97,750 - $132,250. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.
View information about benefits and our total rewards program.

About Our Work

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across over 50 countries worldwide, offering leading capabilities in digital modernization, AI/ML, cloud, cyber and application development. Together with our customers, we strive to create a safer, smarter world by harnessing the power of deep expertise and advanced technology.

Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at gdit.com/tc.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans