Job DescriptionJob Description
Design Engineer Architectural Millwork
Sonoran Doors Phoenix, AZ
Full-Time On-Site
Position Summary
Sonoran Doors is seeking an experienced Design Engineer / Lead Millwork Drafter to develop detailed shop and production drawings for custom wood doors and architectural millwork.
This is more than a drafting position. We are looking for someone who understands how custom millwork is actually built and can translate architectural plans, specifications, field conditions, and design intent into accurate, buildable drawings for our shop.
The ideal candidate combines strong drafting skills with practical woodworking and millwork knowledge, excellent problem-solving ability, and the confidence to identify issues before they reach production.
Primary Responsibilities
- Create detailed shop drawings and production drawings for custom wood doors and architectural millwork
- Review architectural plans, elevations, specifications, and project requirements
- Develop accurate construction details, sections, profiles, assemblies, and dimensions
- Translate design intent into practical, buildable solutions
- Engineer custom door and millwork assemblies for production
- Review field measurements and incorporate actual site conditions into drawings
- Coordinate door construction, jamb conditions, hardware requirements, and related millwork details
- Identify conflicts, missing information, and constructability issues before drawings are released
- Develop solutions for complex or unusual design conditions
- Prepare drawings for customer/architect approval and revise drawings based on redlines and comments
- Produce clear and complete information for CNC and shop production
- Coordinate closely with Project Management, Estimating, Purchasing, and Shop Production
- Communicate directly with the shop to resolve technical and fabrication questions
- Review drawings for accuracy, completeness, and consistency before release
- Help establish and maintain Sonoran Doors drafting standards, details, and drawing practices
- Provide technical guidance and oversight to other drafting personnel
- Manage multiple projects and drawing deadlines simultaneously
What We're Looking For
- Strong experience drafting custom millwork, architectural woodwork, cabinetry, doors, or similar fabricated products
- Advanced understanding of woodworking construction and fabrication methods
- Ability to read and interpret architectural and construction drawings
- Strong CAD proficiency
- Experience developing detailed shop and production drawings
- Understanding of dimensions, tolerances, joinery, materials, hardware, and fabrication requirements
- Strong spatial and mechanical problem-solving ability
- Ability to recognize constructability issues and develop practical solutions
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects
- Comfortable collaborating directly with craftsmen and production personnel
Preferred Experience
- Custom wood door construction
- Architectural millwork
- Door and hardware coordination
- CNC manufacturing
- Field measurement and as-built conditions
- High-end residential or commercial construction
- AWI or architectural woodworking standards