Software Engineer

Special-Lite, Inc. is seeking a Software Engineer to design, build, and maintain software that helps customers and sales teams configure, visualize, and price Special-Lite products. The position is hybrid based in Decatur, MI and begins with work on a Configura CET Designer product extension before expanding into design automation connecting Tacton to Autodesk Inventor.

Role Overview

For the first six months, this role focuses on developing and maintaining a custom product extension in Configura CET Designer (implemented in CM). After that, the work expands to building and maintaining design automation that connects Tacton with Autodesk Inventor, enabling production-ready modeling outputs driven by CPQ configurations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy enhancements to SpecialLite’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 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 by rebuilding flexible or parametric components (for example, frames of variable height) and reusing static components where applicable.
• Support integrations between Tacton CPQ, Autodesk Inventor, and other business systems using REST APIs and XML/JSON data exchange.
• Inherit and extend code written by others, including third-party implementation partners, while producing 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 using version control (including 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 support user training for supported applications.
• Apply best practices in security, maintainability, and performance, contributing to continuous improvement in code and process.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with C#, VB.NET, C++, Java, or another object-oriented language.
• Strong understanding of object-oriented concepts and experience applying them to application development.
• 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.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently across diverse problems.
• Ability to gather requirements, explore multiple approaches, and recommend effective solutions.

Technologies and Tools

• 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

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

Hybrid in Decatur, MI.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Safety glasses required on the production floor at all times.
• Hearing protection 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 affecting the respiratory system or skin, such as fumes, odors, dust, mists, or poor ventilation.
• Occasionally exposed to cold, hot, wet, and/or humid shop conditions.
• 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 ability to adjust focus.

Other Information

Performs other related duties as assigned.