Software Engineer

Special-Lite, Inc. builds software that helps customers and sales teams configure, visualize, and price Special-Lite products. In this hybrid role based in Decatur, MI, you will help expand and maintain design automation that connects CPQ configurations to 2D/3D output. You will also work in an environment that supports professional growth, with tuition reimbursement/educational assistance, professional development support, and a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 401(k) with company match, and paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.

For the first six months, the role focuses on developing and maintaining a custom product extension in Configura’s CET Designer (written in CM). After that, the work expands to building and maintaining design automation connecting Tacton to Autodesk Inventor.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy enhancements to SpecialLite’s CET Designer extension, supporting products represented in 2D and/or 3D with costing, business logic, and error prevention.
• Maintain and improve the existing CET code base to support reliability, accuracy, and user satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain Autodesk Inventor addins (VB.NET/C#) using the Inventor API to drive parametric 3D models and production drawings from Tacton CPQ configurations.
• Build and maintain automation-ready Inventor models, rebuilding flexible or parametric components (for example, variable height frames) while reusing static components where appropriate.
• Support integrations among 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 produce 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 and 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, contributing to continuous improvement in code and process.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with C#, VB.NET, C++, Java, or another object-oriented language.
• Excellent grasp of object-oriented concepts and experience 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.
• Passion for programming.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently on diverse problems.
• Ability to gather requirements, 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.

Benefits

• 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

Work Location

Decatur, MI (Hybrid)

Technologies

Configura CET Designer, CM (Configura’s proprietary object-oriented language), Tacton, Tacton CPQ, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor API, VB.NET, C#, C++, Java, REST APIs, XML, JSON, Git, Autodesk Vault, Jira, Agile

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 proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electric current, and exposure to heat and chemicals.
• Occasionally subject to conditions that may affect the respiratory system or skin, including fumes, odors, dust, mists, or poor ventilation.
• Occasionally exposed to cold, hot, wet, and/or humid shop conditions.