Computer Aided Design Engineer

Bastian Automation; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with company-mu

Vacation / Holiday Pay

Paid Volunteer time off

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Associations, Conferences

Company Meetings & Events

Job summary

Bastian Automation is seeking a Pre-Sales CAD Engineer to support Sales during RFQ and proposal phases with conceptual layouts, equipment models, and throughput analyses. You will develop and maintain CAD templates, Excel-based calculators, and automation tools to boost productivity and solution clarity.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in CAD, system design, and tool-building, with a focus on automating design processes for speed and accuracy in customer engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in a related technical field.
• 5 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, or related projects.
• Experience with Automotive OEMs/Tier-1 suppliers is preferred.
• Proficiency in VBA and Lisp routines for design tools.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate RFQ documents and system requirements for sales layouts.
• Produce concept layouts for material handling automation for automotive sectors.
• Develop block libraries, annotative blocks, and linked blocks.
• Evaluate new design technologies to increase sales efficiency.

Skills

CAD/CAM design

System concepts

VBA

Lisp routines

Automation experience

Customer communication

Education

B.S. in CADD/Engineering Tech

Equivalent industry experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Excel

VBA

PLC/controls

Job description

The Pre-Sales CAD Engineer is intended as a Design & CADD role that is responsible for supporting the Sales and Commercial teams throughout the sales and proposal process. They develop system concepts, facility layouts, and digital engineering tools that improve speed, accuracy, and consistency of solution development.

This position serves as a key technical resource during the RFI, RFQ, and proposal phases by creating conceptual layouts, equipment models, throughput analyses, and visualization tools that communicate solution intent to customers and internal stakeholders. In addition, this role develops and maintains engineering standards, automated design tools, CAD templates, Excel-based calculators, and other digital resources that improve productivity across the organization.

The ideal person for this role excels in process definition and improvement, with a focus on tool building and improving engineering efficiency. This person is critical to allow our sales team to move fast and with confidence.

Job Responsibilities

• Evaluate RFQ Documentation, standards, and system level requirements that require incorporation into sales layouts
• Produce concept layouts for extensive material handling automation for Automotive, Aerospace, and Heavy Manufacturing
• Responsible for the development of all required block libraries, annotative blocks, and programmable linked blocks
• Evaluate and advise on new design-related technologies, plug ins, add ins, etc., that can increase the sales organizations efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Aided Drafting and Design, Engineering Technology, Manufacturing, or related technical field; equivalent industry experience may be considered.
• 5 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, material handling, controls, robotics, or capital equipment projects.
• Experience working with Automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
• Experience writing VBA code, creation of advanced Lisp Routines; other coding capability is a plus.
• Experience translating field measurements and observation into functional designs, layouts, and models.
• knowledge of automotive manufacturing systems, material handling and conveyance, robotics and automation systems, controls architecture, industrial networks, manufacturing execution systems, commissioning methodologies, risk assessment, and operational failure mode analysis.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and operational topics clearly with customers, sales, project engineering, operations, and project delivery teams.

About Bastian Automation

Bastian is a trusted material handling automation integrator supporting distribution and manufacturing operations across the automotive, aerospace, tire and wheel, and other related industries – helping them work smarter, scale faster, and deliver with confidence.

In addition to exciting work at a growing company, we offer the following benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match
• Vacation / Holiday Pay
• Paid Volunteer time off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Associations, Conferences and Subscriptions
• Company Meetings & Events

Bastian Automation does not work with outside recruiting agencies. No solicitation phone calls please.