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GFT

Senior Civil/Structural Drafter - Substation

Location

Chicago, IL

Wage

$80,000 – $100,000/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

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Posted on September 2, 2026

Job Description

Overview

GFT is seeking a Senior Civil/Structural Drafter - Substation to join their expanding Power Group. This hybrid position involves engaging in cutting-edge projects that enhance energy infrastructure, focusing on power transmission, distribution, and renewable energy solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Provide drafting support to civil and structural engineers and senior drafters/designers.
  • Develop structural concrete and steel detail and fabrication drawings.
  • Develop site/civil drawings including grading and drainage plans.
  • Develop foundation reinforcement and modification details.
  • Develop bill of materials for civil and structural items.
  • Review CADD work by junior drafting staff.
  • Demonstrate attention to detail and ability to learn and implement client drafting standards.

Requirements

  • 12+ years of relevant drafting experience.
  • Experience with general arrangements, structural steel detailing, concrete foundation reinforcement detailing, site plans, foundation plans, erosion and sediment control plans, and bill of materials.
  • Knowledge and ability to utilize AutoCAD.
  • Ability to apply project schedules to complete tasks in a timely manner and within project budget.
  • Ability to proficiently use Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment.
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • PTO
  • 401k

Additional Information

  • This position is based in Charlotte, NC, Pittsburgh, PA, Marlton, NJ, Chicago, IL or St. Louis, MO, with remote consideration for qualified candidates.
  • Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Full-Time employment status.

Benefits

Hybrid work environment.
Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
PTO
401k
Apply for This Position

How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $43/hr, this posting comes in about 21% below the $55/hr median for structural welder jobs in Chicago, IL, where the middle half runs $43–$63/hr across 11 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 36% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. That gap is worth raising directly — in a market this size there is normally room to negotiate toward the median, particularly if you already hold the certifications the posting asks for.

The local market in Chicago, IL

We're tracking 103 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 64 different employers. 37 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 367 other active welding openings from 237 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Chicago, or widen the search to Illinois.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Staff on Site (13), S&C Electric Company (12), and Gerber Collision & Glass (11). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Illinois, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Chicago at $38/hr, Itasca at $36/hr, and Downers Grove at $36/hr. Chicago is among them.

Similar openings near Chicago, IL

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Senior Civil/Structural Drafter - Substation figures were last recalculated when this page was built.