Lead CAD Engineer

About the Role

As Nearfield Instruments’ Lead CAD Engineer, you will own and evolve the CAD/PLM ecosystem that enables us to design and build our next-generation semiconductor metrology machines. NFI operates at the cutting edge of the semiconductor industry, developing highly advanced inspection systems capable of measuring structures at the nanometer scale—technology that helps the world’s leading chipmakers push Moore’s Law forward.

In this role, you create the engineering backbone that turns breakthrough technology into reliable, production-ready products. You will define CAD standards, improve workflows, build automation, and ensure that our multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, mechatronics, electronics, system integration, manufacturing) can work efficiently and consistently as our products scale from prototype to industrial production. Your expertise will directly impact how some of the world’s most advanced semiconductor tools are designed, built, and delivered.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and administer the CAD environment, acting as technical owner for CAD data quality, structure, and long-term scalability for complex mechanical and mechatronic system design.

• Define, document and enforce CAD standards, including modeling practices, naming conventions, file structures, drawing templates and revision schemes.

• Develop automation and tooling (scripts, macros, templates, integrations) to increase efficiency and reduce manual work.

• Support cross-functional engineering teams with clean, well-structured data throughout the full product lifecycle (design → build → test → production).

• Train, guide, and support CAD users, ensuring consistent practices and fast onboarding.

• Contribute to design reviews and change management (ECR/ECO) ensuring traceability and controlled evolution from prototype to production.

• Act as a technical gatekeeper for CAD quality, ensuring models are robust, intent-driven, and suitable for downstream use (analysis, manufacturing, service).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Design, or equivalent.

• Strong expertise (6+ years) in SolidWorks and extensive experience with 3D CAD for complex mechanical and/or mechatronic assemblies.

• Solid experience with PLM/PDM systems, including BOM management, revision control, and structured data handling.

• Experience in integrating CAD with ERP, PLM, or manufacturing systems

• Proven experience as a SOLIDWORKS CAD Administrator

• Solid understanding of engineering design workflows

• Understanding of mechanical–electro-mechanical integration in complex systems.

• High attention to detail and strong documentation discipline.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to support multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in semiconductor equipment, precision instrumentation, high-accuracy machinery, or similar fields.

• Experience with CAD/PLM automation (macros, scripting, workflow tools).

• Familiarity with DFX, manufacturing, integration, testing, and service processes.

• Experience with GD&T, tight-tolerance, cleanroom-oriented, or high-precision assemblies.

• Experience with managing CAD configurations for simulations.

• Basic understanding of SQL is a plus