CAD Adminitrator

Position Summary The CAD Administrator is responsible for the configuration, maintenance, and enforcement of the company's Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Product Data/Lifecycle Management (PDM/PLM) systems across the Minnesota engineering operations. This role supports Medium Voltage, Low Voltage, and E-House/Skids product lines at both the Dayton and Champlain facilities. The incumbent will serve as the primary technical point of contact to ensure that all design data is standardized, secure, and compliant with emerging Forgent Power enterprise protocols, including the ongoing Vault Pro rollout and future PLM integration. Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions 1. System Administration & Deployment Manage the full administrative lifecycle of SolidWorks PDM (Vault Pro), including workflow state definitions, user permissions, lifecycle management, and archive maintenance across both Minnesota sites. Oversee the installation, licensing, and version-control of SolidWorks and AutoCAD Electrical across medium voltage, low voltage, and e-house engineering teams. Troubleshoot and resolve system-level hardware/software conflicts to maintain departmental uptime; coordinate with IT on workstation performance issues (memory, graphics, crash mitigation). Support the enterprise-wide Vault Pro standardization initiative, ensuring Minnesota operations align with Hanover configurations and best practices. 2. Process Definition & Standards Enforcement Collaborate with Engineering Leadership and PLM implementation teams to develop and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for CAD data entry, file management, and check-in/check-out workflows. Act as the primary internal auditor to ensure engineering staff adhere to Vault workflows, preventing unauthorized deviations in modeling or filing practices. Maintain the integrity of the Master Component Library, ensuring all structural and electrical parts meet company standards for metadata, part numbering conventions, and BOM accuracy. Support cross-plant standardization efforts as engineering practices are harmonized between Minnesota and Hanover facilities. 3. Large Assembly & Data Management Implement best practices for Large Assembly Management to support complex E-House and switchgear modeling, focusing on stability and performance optimization. Evaluate and implement strategies for fastener representation in assembly models to balance production floor clarity with system performance (simplified representations, hardware BOMs). Facilitate the synchronization of CAD data with downstream ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite) to ensure Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy for manufacturing. Support automated hardware creation and spooling workflows within SolidWorks as capabilities mature. 4. Training & Technical Support Onboard new engineering hires on internal CAD/Vault standards, organizational workflows, and documentation practices. Provide Tier 1 technical support for all CAD-related inquiries across both Minnesota facilities and serve as the liaison for external software VARs (Graitec/Applied Software, Autodesk). Develop and maintain user guides and training documentation to support self-service onboarding and ongoing reference for the engineering team. Coordinate with the Hanover CAD Admin to ensure consistent practices, shared learnings, and enterprise-wide process alignment. 5. Cross-Plant Visibility & Collaboration Support cross-plant project transfers between Minnesota and Hanover, ensuring design data is properly converted and handed off between facilities. Contribute to the establishment of shared tracking methodologies and systems across Forgent Power facilities. Participate in the Redline/issue-tracking process to ensure engineering changes are properly documented and communicated to the production floor. Required Qualifications Minimum of 5 years in a CAD/PDM Administration role, preferably within the electrical equipment, switchgear, or structural manufacturing industry. Advanced administrative knowledge of SolidWorks PDM Professional / Vault Pro Autodesk High proficiency in SolidWorks (CSWA or CSWP certification preferred) and AutoCAD Electrical. Strong analytical approach to data structures and file management; ability to communicate technical constraints to non-technical stakeholders. Firm adherence to process discipline with ability to enforce standards across multiple teams. Experience supporting multi-site or multi-facility engineering environments is a plus. Familiarity with ERP integration (NetSuite preferred) and BOM management workflows. Physical & Environmental Demands Standard office environment at the Dayton, MN facility. Occasional travel to Champlain, MN facility for support and coordination. Periodic presence on the manufacturing floor to verify CAD-to-physical component accuracy during the system rollout phase.