CAD Administrator Engineer

ALKAR Inc.; Town of Lodi (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ALKAR Inc. seeks an experienced CAD administrator and application support specialist to improve engineering release accuracy and reduce manual work.

You will administer SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD Electrical, and related PDM tools, and build utilities connecting CAD/PDM to ERP, IT, and intranet systems. You will collaborate with Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, and IT to standardize templates, workflows, and data integrity, while developing scripts and integrations to streamline data flow and

Qualifications

• Three or more years of CAD administration, engineering applications, or closely related technical experience, including hands‑on support of engineering users.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and support practical engineering utilities using C#/.NET, VB.NET, or a comparable language; C#/.NET preferred.
• Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases, including joins and data validation.
• Experience integrating applications through APIs, connectors, or supported data interfaces.
• Functional CAD proficiency and understanding of drawings, assemblies, BOMs, revision control and release processes.
• Experience supporting engineering in manufacturing or industrial equipment preferred.
• Experience with SOLIDWORKS administration, PDM workflows and APIs, AutoCAD Electrical, and VBA/VB.NET scripts preferred.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, intranet app development, and relevant databases preferred.
• Experience with CAD migration, document management, or CAD/PDM administration training or certification beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Administer CAD/PDM applications, including settings, user access, licensing, software upgrades, and troubleshooting; coordinate deployment with IT.
• Maintain templates, title blocks, numbering conventions, shared libraries, revision practices, and release workflows with Engineering management.
• Develop and maintain utilities, scripts, and integrations connecting CAD/PDM, ERP, and intranet apps using C#/.NET, VB.NET, or similar languages.
• Automate BOM validation, part/revision checks, metadata checks, release-package generation, and release-status reporting.
• Use SQL to retrieve, join, validate, and update data; exchange data through supported APIs or connectors.
• Test changes, maintain source control, and provide documentation and recovery instructions for utilities.
• Coordinate software installation/licensing with Controls and IT; train engineers on standards and workflows.
• Collaborate with IT on infrastructure, security, backups; align with Engineering on standards.

Skills

CAD administration

Engineering applications support

C#/.NET

VB.NET

SQL

APIs/integration

SOLIDWORKS administration

AutoCAD Electrical

PDM tools

ERP data exchange

Education

Associate degree or higher in Mechanical Design Technology or related field

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Equivalent combinations of education and experience

Tools

SOLIDWORKS

AutoCAD Electrical

VB.NET

C#/.NET

SQL Server

Job description

Provide CAD administration, application support, and practical automation that improve engineering release accuracy and reduce manual work. Administer SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD Electrical, and related CAD/PDM tools, and develop utilities connecting engineering applications, ERP system, and internal intranet systems. Work with Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, IT, and the MRP/ERP Solutions Consultant to establish consistent standards, resolve application issues, and improve the flow of engineering information into manufacturing.

Provide CAD administration, application support, and practical automation that improve engineering release accuracy and reduce manual work. Administer SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD Electrical, and related CAD/PDM tools, and develop utilities connecting engineering applications, ERP system, and internal intranet systems. Work with Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, IT, and the MRP/ERP Solutions Consultant to establish consistent standards, resolve application issues, and improve the flow of engineering information into manufacturing.

Principal Accountabilities

• Administer CAD/PDM applications, including settings, user access, licensing, software upgrades, and troubleshooting; coordinate workstation and application deployment with IT.
• Work with Engineering management to maintain templates, title blocks, numbering conventions, shared libraries, revision practices, and release workflows.
• Develop and maintain utilities, scripts, and integrations connecting CAD/PDM, ERP system, and internal intranet applications using C#/.NET, VB.NET, or other supported languages.
• Automate BOM validation, part and revision checks, required metadata checks, release package generation, and release-status reporting.
• Use SQL to retrieve, join, compare, and validate engineering and manufacturing data; exchange or update data through supported APIs, connectors, or approved import/export methods.
• Support and improve the existing interface with Engineering and the MRP/ERP Solutions Consultant; investigate transfer failures and data discrepancies.
• Maintain existing VBA/VB.NET scripts and improve repetitive design and documentation tasks through configuration, scripting, and workflow enhancements.
• Test application changes before deployment and maintain source control, documentation, error handling, and recovery instructions for custom utilities.
• Troubleshoot user issues, coordinate vendor support, and train engineers and designers on software and company standards; develop practical user guides.
• Coordinate Siemens, Rockwell, and AVEVA software installation and licensing support with Controls and IT.
• Partner with IT on infrastructure, security, access, backups, and deployments, and with Engineering management on standards and improvement priorities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Three or more years of CAD administration, engineering applications, or closely related technical experience, including hands‑on support of engineering users.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and support practical engineering or business utilities using C#/.NET, VB.NET, or a comparable programming language; C#/.NET preferred.
• Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases, including joins, data relationships, and validation of data accuracy and completeness.
• Experience integrating applications through APIs, connectors, or supported data interfaces.
• Functional CAD proficiency and understanding of engineering drawings, assemblies, BOMs, file dependencies, revision control, and release processes.
• Experience supporting engineering in manufacturing or industrial equipment preferred.
• Experience with SOLIDWORKS administration, PDM workflows and APIs, AutoCAD Electrical, and VBA/VB.NET scripts preferred.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, intranet application development, and relevant database platforms preferred.
• Experience with one or more of Autodesk Inventor, SOLIDWORKS Manage, DriveWorks, Microsoft SQL Server, Excel, or Access beneficial.
• Experience with CAD migration, document management conversion, software licensing, or relevant CAD/PDM administration training or certification beneficial.

Performance Measures

• CAD system reliability and timely resolution of user issues.
• Reduced manual effort and fewer data errors or failed transfers in engineering releases.
• Consistent use of approved standards and workflows.
• Successful implementation of integrations and process improvements with verified data accuracy.
• Maintainable utilities with current documentation, controlled source code, and testing before deployment.

Core Competencies

• Practical problem solving and technical ownership.
• Attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Process improvement and effective prioritization.
• Clear communication, user support, and training.
• Cross‑functional collaboration and consistent follow‑through

Education

• Associate degree or higher in Mechanical Design Technology, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.