Civil CAD Technician/Designer

Freese and Nichols is seeking an experienced Civil CAD Technician/Designer experienced in AutoCAD Civil 3D to join our Dams and Levees Team within the Water Resources Design Group. In this role you will contribute to the planning and design of complex civil infrastructure projects including dams, spillways, outlet works, levees, floodwalls, gates, and related water resource structures.

This position offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with engineers, designers, and project managers across disciplines while taking an active role in producing high-quality design drawings and 3D models.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Develop 3D models, drawings, and details for dam, levee, and related water resource projects.
• Utilize and interpret survey data to build accurate 3D surfaces, cross-sections, grading, alignments, and profiles for existing and proposed conditions.
• Interpret sketches, markups, and redlines provided by design engineers and translate them into precise CAD deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with engineers to produce construction plans, conceptual figures, and technical drawings.
• Apply and maintain company CAD standards and assist in updating templates, styles, blocks, and processes to meet the team's needs.
• Conduct quality control reviews on models, drawings, and received survey data to ensure accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
• Train and mentor CAD staff and engineers in drawing production and CAD best practices.
• Assist in CAD workload coordination within the Dams and Levees team and across related water resources projects.
• Lead CAD activities on assigned projects and may manage CAD staff or the team's CAD library.
• Perform other duties as assigned, with flexibility to adapt as team and project needs evolve.

• 5+ years of experience using Autodesk Civil 3D, with a broad base in engineering design and technical support of engineering.
• Advanced expertise in computer operation and in CAD software.
• Proven ability to learn, adapt, and problem solve to produce accurate and quality deliverables.
• Ability to work with all levels of personnel.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Software, especially Excel and Word

Preferred:

• Associate degree in CAD
• Familiarity with Revit or MicroStation

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always).  Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values.

We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service.  For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need:  developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

Besides our comprehensive benefits package (see more at ), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico.  We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work, and an alternative work schedule program which provides a day off every other Friday.

Join our team of 1,300+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado. Learn more about working here at

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.