Design-for-Manufacture (DFM) CAD Engineer

Alinabal - Manufacturing Facilities; Putnam (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Alinabal - Manufacturing Facilities seeks a CAD-focused engineer to translate customer files into actionable objectives and deliverables. You will estimate effort, schedule timelines, and release robust CAD models for manufacturing handoff.

You will own projects from scope to delivery, collaborate with development and customers, and ensure ITAR compliance while maintaining quality and schedule integrity.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or 5 years of directly relevant experience.
• Valid Driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Interpret customer job files and turn them into clear engineering objectives and deliverables.
• Plan timelines by accurately calculating effort and duration; maintain schedules by tracking progress and removing roadblocks.
• Create and release robust CAD models and detailed drawings for manufacturing handoff.
• Drive projects to completion—owning scope, quality, and delivery results.
• Collaborate closely with the development team and maintain strong, timely communication with customers.
• Safeguard product and company reputation by adhering to federal ITAR regulations.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Time management

Continuous improvement mindset

Education

BS in Engineering

5 years of directly relevant experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Cadkey

Unigraphics (NX)

Windows

MS Office

Email

Internet tools

Job description

Your day-to-day

You start by opening a new set of customer files—sketches, models, and notes that outline a fresh concept. You translate those ideas into actionable project objectives, estimate the time required, and map a schedule that gets parts to the floor on time. Throughout the day, you build production-ready 3D models and drawings, coordinate with development and manufacturing, and keep communication flowing with customers to ensure every detail is captured and documented. When an issue pops up, you troubleshoot quickly, protect quality, and keep the project moving.

What you'll own

• Interpret customer job files and turn them into clear engineering objectives and deliverables.
• Plan timelines by accurately calculating effort and duration; maintain schedules by tracking progress and removing roadblocks.
• Create and release robust CAD models and detailed drawings for manufacturing handoff.
• Drive projects to completion—owning scope, quality, and delivery results.
• Collaborate closely with the development team and maintain strong, timely communication with customers.
• Safeguard product and company reputation by adhering to federal ITAR regulations.

How success is measured

• Meeting required delivery dates for assigned work.
• Hitting customer delivery commitments without sacrificing quality.
• Achieving quality standards across all assigned processes.
• Performing all operations with a strong safety mindset.

What helps you thrive here

• A continuous-improvement mindset—comfortable analyzing, challenging, and refining processes, and communicating change effectively across a diverse team.
• Strong organization and time-management to juggle multiple projects independently.
• Clear written and verbal communication; excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with: SolidWorks, Cadkey, Windows, MS Office, email, and internet tools; Unigraphics (NX) experience is a plus.

Background

• BS in Engineering; or 5 years of directly relevant experience with advanced knowledge gained through experience and continuing education.
• Valid Driver's license.

Also

• Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support the team.

Physical demands & work environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be required.

• *The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. *