Drafter

Working Schedule

Drafters have typical full-time schedules, with overtime necessary depending on project goals and timeframes. Work is usually indoors, with some travel needed from time to time.  

Typical Duties

• Review sketches, illustrations, paintings, or other visual materials related to the building or product being designed 
• Review technical drawings, schematics, blueprints, written objectives, specifications, and other data 
• Consider topographic surveys, well logs, and other reports, as applicable 
• Meet with clients, managers, project team members (architects, engineers, additional Drafters), and other stakeholders to discuss desired mediums, deliverables, budgets, and timeframes
• Design building, electronic, mechanical, or product plans utilizing computer-aided design tools and engineering and manufacturing principles 
• Layout specific rooms for building projects
• Work closely with and take guidance from applicable team members, as needed
• Add pertinent details, including dimensions, suggested materials, costs, quantities, features, and other notes
• Verify the accuracy of details by cross-checking against documentation
• Make changes or corrections, as directed
• Explain diagrams, graphs, and other visuals to clients
• Calculate excavation tonnage, heat loss or gain, and other factors relevant to construction
• Visit job sites, when necessary, for field surveys or inspections
• Save, organize, manage, and protect digital files throughout their lifecycle

Additional Responsibilities

• Stay up-to-date by reading drafting publications
• Advertise services to attract new clients, as needed
• Train and mentor new Drafters, technologists, and technicians

Soft Skills

• Analytical
• Compliance-oriented
• Critical thinking
• Detail-oriented
• Discipline
• Planning and organization
• Problem-solving skills
• Sound judgment 
• Strong communication skills
• Teamwork
• Time management 

Technical Skills

• Analytical/scientific software such as MathWorks MATLAB
• Basic mathematics, algebra, Cartesian math, geometry, and trigonometry
• Building information modeling systems (BIM)
• Computer-aided design programs like AutoCAD
• Computer-aided manufacturing 
• Database user interfaces
• Development environment software
• Document management 
• Enterprise resource planning 
• Geographic information systems
• Industrial control software such as SCADA
• Map creation software
• Presentation tools
• Process mapping and design like MS Visio
• Project management 
• Knowledge of technical drawing and associated tools, such as scales, triangles, curves, protractors, T-squares, drafting tape and tubes, templates, reference tables, boards, blueprint measuring tools, lettering pens, etc.

• Architectural and civil drafter services
• Construction industry
• Electronics makers
• Manufacturing
• Mechanical drafting services
• Waste management

Drafters need to pay extremely close attention to detail as they work, to ensure their output is accurate and thorough. They must draw information from multiple sources while trying to form a cohesive picture that meets everyone’s criteria. Sometimes there might be conflicting desires from various stakeholders or team members, but the Drafter has to try and get everyone on the same page. 

In addition, they’ll have to keep up with changes in technology as advances in CAD and BIM transform the field. Some of these changes may impact the long-term job outlook of Drafters, so it may be necessary to specialize in areas with more future opportunities. For example, the job outlook for mechanical drafters indicates a projected employment decrease of 9%, whereas architectural and civil drafts have only a projected 1% decrease.

There are several innovations and trends running across multiple areas of drafting. Many are related to the incredible advances in technologies such as CAD, BIM, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence automation, 3D printing, robotics, and the cloud. There’s also a massive shift toward renewable energy drafting. Architectural drafting, for instance, has been affected by the push for more green, environmentally-friendly buildings and products that rely on sustainable materials. 

Drafters often have a unique combination of imagination and technical skills, which allows them to create highly-detailed representations of proposed structures, products, and electrical or mechanical objects. They may have loved both math and art (with a focus on photorealism, detail, and accurate perspectives). Because drafting requires so much work with computers and software, they were likely very comfortable using the latest technologies to bring their visions to life.