CAD/PDM Systems Administrator

Sherman Reilly Inc; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherman + Reilly in Chattanooga seeks a CAD/PDM Systems Administrator to be the technical owner of their engineering toolset. You will keep SolidWorks fast, the PDM vault healthy, and engineering data flowing into production systems for about 20 designers and engineers.

This hands-on role requires strong SolidWorks PDM experience, scripting ability, and excellent documentation to support a growing manufacturing team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on administering SolidWorks in a production engineering environment.
• SolidWorks PDM administration experience with vault setup, workflows, and permissions.
• Working knowledge of engineering-class workstation hardware and Windows optimization.
• Experience supporting BOM processes and engineering data structures.
• Strong root-cause troubleshooting across software, hardware, and integration layers.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills to train non-technical engineers.

Responsibilities

• Be the SME for SolidWorks, eDrawings, and SolidWorks PDM; escalate CAD/PDM issues.
• Administer CAD software; deploy, upgrade, standardize settings and templates.
• Run the PDM vault; manage permissions, workflows, data cards, backups, and lifecycles.
• Optimize workstations for CAD/large assemblies/FEA; maintain GPU drivers and images.
• Monitor stability, perform root-cause analysis, plan capacity and refresh cycles.
• Support BOM processes and CAD/PDM‑to‑ERP integrations; automate tasks via scripting.
• Manage licensing and documentation; track SolidWorks licenses and renewals.

Skills

SolidWorks

PDM administration

Windows optimization

Scripting (PowerShell)

ERP integration awareness

Education

Bachelor's or Associate degree in Engineering/IT

Tools

Intune/Autopilot

Active Directory

ERP/PLM integrations

Job description

Description

Since 1927, Sherman + Reilly has designed and manufactured the pullers, tensioners, reel trailers, and stringing blocks that electric utility crews trust to string transmission and distribution lines safely across the continent. Behind every machine is a team of mechanical, electrical, and design engineers and behind that team is the CAD and PDM environment that lets them do their best work.

Keep our engineers building the equipment that powers North America

That environment is where you come in. We're looking for a CAD/PDM Systems Administrator to be the technical owner of our engineering design toolset: the person who keeps SolidWorks fast, the PDM vault healthy, the workstations dialed in, and engineering data flowing cleanly into the systems that build our products. This is a hands‑on, individual‑contributor role. You will manage platforms, applications, and data supporting a close‑knit team of roughly 20 designers and engineers who depend on you to keep them productive.

What you'll own

• Be the SME. Serve as our single, authoritative expert for SolidWorks, eDrawings, and SolidWorks PDM. The final escalation point for CAD/PDM issues and the trusted advisor to engineering and IT leadership on standards, strategy, and tooling.
• Administer the CAD software. Deploy and maintain SolidWorks and add‑ins across the engineering fleet, roll out upgrades and service packs, standardize settings and templates, and validate every change in a dedicated test environment before it reaches production.
• Run the PDM vault. Own permissions, workflows, revision and lifecycle schemes, data cards, backups, and replication. Design release processes with Document Control, onboard new users, and keep the vault healthy.
• Optimize the workstations. Specify, configure, and tune engineering‑class workstations for CAD, large‑assembly, and FEA workloads. Maintain certified GPU driver, BIOS, and firmware standards and build repeatable deployment images.
• Own performance and reliability. Establish baselines and benchmarks, monitor stability and crash telemetry, drive root‑cause analysis, and plan capacity and hardware refresh cycles ahead of demand.
• Connect the data. Support the Bill of Material (BOM) process and tooling, maintain CAD/PDM‑to‑ERP integrations, and close gaps in part numbering, metadata, and BOM structure, automating repetitive tasks through scripting and APIs where it helps.
• Manage licensing and documentation. Track SolidWorks (SolidNetWork License Manager) and third‑party licenses for allocation, renewals, and audit readiness, and keep clear work instructions and standards that the whole team can follow.
• Support the broader toolset. Be the go‑to resource for the other software and specialized hardware the engineering team relies on, including third‑party applications and 3D printers.

Requirements

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, IT, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years hands‑on administering and supporting SolidWorks in a production engineering environment
• Demonstrated SolidWorks PDM administration experience, vault setup, workflows, permissions, and troubleshooting
• Working knowledge of engineering‑class workstation hardware, GPU/driver management, and Windows optimization
• Experience supporting the BOM process and an understanding of engineering data structures
• Strong root‑cause troubleshooting across software, hardware, and integration layers
• Excellent documentation and communication skills, with the patience to support and train non‑technical engineers

Nice to have

• Experience integrating CAD/PDM data with ERP or PLM platforms (e.g., SAP)
• SolidWorks certifications (CSWP/CSWE) or PDM administration certification
• PowerShell or similar scripting for automation and configuration management
• Familiarity with manufacturing environments — wire, cable, or heavy equipment a plus
• Exposure to FEA/simulation workloads and workstation tuning
• Experience with endpoint management (Intune/Autopilot), Active Directory, and enterprise security tooling

Why Sherman + Reilly

• Your work has weight. The engineers you support design equipment that keeps line crews safe and the grid energized. You'll see the impact on the shop floor, not just on a dashboard.
• Real ownership. This is the CAD/PDM role. You'll set the standards, make the tooling decisions, and be the expert the team turns to with the autonomy to do it right.
• A company that lasts. Nearly a century of manufacturing in Chattanooga, and a reputation as North America's leading name in line‑stringing equipment.
• On‑site and grounded. You'll work alongside the engineering team in our Chattanooga facility, with occasional time on the manufacturing floor where the products come to life. Planned system maintenance is scheduled outside core hours (Mon–Fri, 6:00 AM–5:00 PM) so our engineers stay productive.

Sherman + Reilly is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.