nLIGHT
CAD Librarian / ECAD-MCAD Integration Specialist
TLDR
Bridge electrical and mechanical design by managing component libraries, wiring harness documentation, and enabling bidirectional ECAD/MCAD data exchange using Altium and SolidWorks.
Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)
Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of experience working in opto-mechanical system design and integration.
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or equivalent.
Compensation: $110,000-$150,000 depending on experience.
Who We Are
nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.
Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).
Summary:
CAD Librarian to bridge electrical and mechanical design by managing component libraries and documenting wire harnesses. You’ll use Altium Designer for PCB and harness layout, SolidWorks for 3D modeling, and Altium CoDesigner to ensure seamless data synchronization and dimensional accuracy between the two environments.
All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/. Please review this information before applying.
Responsibilities:
- Harness & Systems Integration: Proficient in Altium Cable & Harness design, wire list authoring, and connector pin mapping; expert at tracing engineering intent from schematic through 3D routing and BOM.
- ECAD/MCAD Synchronization: Advanced use of Altium CoDesigner for harness-to-3D conversion and bidirectional change management with SolidWorks (Model Based Design & Large Assembly Management).
- Standards & Compliance: Deep knowledge of IPC-7351, IPC-2221, IPC/WHMA-A-620, ASME Y14.5, and AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality environments.
- Data & Lifecycle Management: Experienced with SolidWorks PDM Professional, SharePoint, and Git version control; focused on library governance and integration automation.
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Effective communicator across electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams; skilled at managing competing priorities in fast-paced contract environments.
- Quality & Detail Orientation: Rigorous attention to detail regarding pin-level data accuracy and footprint dimensions across interconnected design environments.
Required Experience / Capability:
- Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in CAD library management, ECAD/MCAD design, or an integrated electrical/mechanical engineering data management role.
- Expert-level proficiency in Altium Designer, including schematic capture, PCB layout, component footprint authoring (IPC-7351), and component vault/PDM management.
- Familiarity with GITLAB and/or Jira.
- Demonstrated experience with Altium's cable and harness design environment, including wire list authoring, connector pin mapping, harness schematic documentation, and manufacturing output generation.
- Proficiency with Altium CoDesigner for ECAD/MCAD bidirectional data exchange, specifically the conversion of Altium harness designs into SolidWorks 3D harness models.
- Expert-level proficiency in SolidWorks including parametric part and assembly modeling, drawing detailing, and SolidWorks PDM (Professional or Standard).
- Strong working knowledge of PLM/PDM data structures: BOM management, item lifecycle, revision control, and engineering change workflows.
- Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC-7351, IPC-2221, IPC/WHMA-A-620), ASME Y14.5 GD&T, and MIL spec parts.
Additional Desired Experience / Capability:
- Experience in aerospace, defense, industrial electronics, or high-reliability electromechanical product development environments.
- CSWE (Certified SolidWorks Expert) or relevant SolidWorks certification.
- Altium Certified Designer credential or equivalent Altium platform certification.
- Knowledge of general wire harness construction and mechanical part types.
- Understanding of ITAR/EAR data control requirements as applied to engineering data management systems.
Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at HR@nlightdefense.com.
nLIGHT is a premier provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers, catering to industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications. We specialize in cutting-edge laser technology and are also a leader in developing Directed Energy systems for the Department of Defense, delivering high-performance solutions in a rapidly growing market.
Integration Specialist