Job Description
The Software Engineer is a member of Special-Lite’s IT Delivery team, responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the software that allows customers and sales teams to configure, visualize, and price Special-Lite products. For approximately the first six months, the role will focus on developing and maintaining our custom product extension in Configura’s CET Designer, written in CM (Configura’s proprietary object-oriented language), which represents products in 2D and 3D with costing, business logic, and error prevention. As Special-Lite implements Tacton as its next CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) platform, the role will expand to building and maintaining design automation that connects Tacton to Autodesk Inventor, coding parametric 3D models and drawings so they are generated automatically from configured products. Essential Functions:
- Design, develop, test, and deploy enhancements to Special-Lite’s CET Designer extension, including products represented in 2D and/or 3D with costing, business logic, and error prevention.
- Maintain and improve the existing CET code base, ensuring reliability, accuracy, and user satisfaction.
- Develop and maintain Autodesk Inventor add-ins (VB.NET/C#) that use the Inventor API to drive parametric 3D models and production drawings from Tacton CPQ configurations.
- Build and maintain automation-ready Inventor models, rebuilding flexible/parametric components (e.g., frames of variable height) and reusing static components where appropriate.
- Support integrations between Tacton CPQ, Autodesk Inventor, and other business systems using REST APIs and XML/JSON data exchange.
- Inherit, understand, and extend code written by others, including third‑party implementation partners, and write clean, documented, maintainable code for future developers.
- Collaborate with sales, engineering, and business stakeholders to gather requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
- Manage source code and automation assets under version control (Git; Autodesk Vault for CAD assets) and track work in Jira as part of an Agile team.
- Troubleshoot and resolve application issues, escalating when necessary.
- Create documentation and assist with user training for supported applications.
- Apply best practices in security, maintainability, and performance, and contribute toward continuous improvement in both code and process.
- Position Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent experience.
- Must have experience in C#, VB.NET, C++, Java or any other object‑oriented language.
- Excellent grasp of object‑oriented concepts and experience in using them to build applications.
- Willingness to learn proprietary languages and platforms, including Configura’s CM language and CET Designer.
- Experience using source control (such as Git) and task‑tracking tools (such as Jira).
- Basic familiarity with REST APIs and XML/JSON data formats.
- Must be passionate about programming.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
- Must be a self‑starter and have the ability to work independently on diverse problems.
- Must have the ability to gather requirements, consider and explore multiple approaches and suggest effective solutions.
- Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with the Autodesk Inventor API, including part/assembly modeling and drawing automation, add‑in development, or iLogic.
- Hands‑on Autodesk Inventor modeling experience, including parametric part and assembly modeling.
- NET development experience, particularly VB.NET or C#, using Visual Studio.
- Experience with Configura CET Designer and/or the CM programming language.
- Experience with CPQ or product configuration platforms, especially Tacton.
- Experience with Autodesk Vault or other PDM systems.
- Understanding of 3D geometry and coordinate systems.
- Experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment.
- Physical Requirements:
- Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate office equipment, and reach with hands and arms.
- Frequently required to talk and hear.
- Frequently required to sit for long periods of time.
- Required to occasionally stand and walk.
- Occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 10‑pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Work Location: On‑site or Hybrid – Decatur, MI
- Non‑Essential Functions:
- Performs other related duties, as assigned.
- Work Environment:
- Safety glasses are required on the production floor at all times.
- Hearing protection is required in designated areas.
- Occasionally subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electric current, and exposure to heat and chemicals.
- Occasionally subject to conditions including one or more of the following that affect the respiratory system or the skin: fumes, odors, dust, mists, or poor ventilation.
- Occasionally exposed to cold, hot, wet and/or humid shop conditions.
- Benefits at Special‑Lite: A competitive salary and opportunities to advance in your career are just the beginning. Special‑Lite offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family, including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability Coverage
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Performance and Holiday Bonuses
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Tuition Reimbursement/Educational Assistance and Professional Development Support
- Parental Leave
- Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
- About Special‑Lite We manufacture custom door, frame, and interior solutions for new construction and retrofit projects across educational, commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal applications—combining hands‑on craftsmanship with advanced technology to deliver exceptional quality, performance, and reliability. Built to last in high usage and challenging environments, our high‑quality and made‑to‑order solutions are unique in the industry. The products we build welcome, protect, and enhance spaces across the U.S. and beyond. You would probably recognize more than a few of our famous customers. As one of the largest volume producers of commercial FRP doors, you may have even already walked through one of our solutions. For more than 55 years, we have been driven to grow through relationships as strong as our products. We are committed to the success of our employees, our customers, and our communities. We stand behind our products with passion and excellent customer service. People. Passion. Performance. Visit special-lite.com to learn more. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.