About This Career

Prepares detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Uses knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster Design/Pre-Construction pathway.

A person in this career:

• Produces drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
• Drafts plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
• Coordinates structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determines a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
• Analyzes building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
• Draws maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
• Lays out and plans interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
• Supervises and trains other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
• Determines the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
• Finishes and duplicates drawings and documentation packages according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods.
• Draws rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel