Alternate Titles: Draftsman
Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans, which are used by production and construction workers to build everything from microchips to skyscrapers.
Drafters’ drawings provide visual guidelines and show how to construct a product or structure. Drawings include technical details and specify dimensions, materials, and procedures. Drafters fill in technical details using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, and calculations made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists. For example, many drafters use their knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in the details of structures. Some use their understanding of engineering and manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine; they determine design elements, such as the numbers and kinds of fasteners needed to assemble the machine. Drafters use technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to complete their work.
Most drafters use Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CAD) systems to prepare drawings. Consequently, some drafters may be referred to as CAD Operators or Specialists. With CAD systems, drafters can create and store drawings electronically so that they can be viewed, printed, or programmed directly into automated manufacturing systems. CAD systems also permit drafters to quickly prepare variations of a design. Although Drafters use CAD extensively, they still need knowledge of traditional drafting techniques in order to fully understand and explain concepts.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook