What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tekla Software Administrator position at HarborFab?
Position Summary
The Tekla Administrator is responsible for the daily administration, configuration, and continuous improvement of Harbor Fab’s Tekla-based systems, including Tekla Structures and Tekla EPM. This role ensures that Tekla supports a fully integrated workflow across estimating, detailing, fabrication, and shipping functions.
The position plays a critical role in enabling Harbor Fab’s closed-loop operating system (Estimate → Execute → Improve) by ensuring system integrity, data consistency, and alignment between estimating outputs and actual shop performance. The Tekla Administrator serves as a system integrator and enabler, supporting estimating, operations, and data governance functions while driving automation, reporting, and process standardization across all facilities.
Primary Responsibilities
- System Administration and Maintenance
- Maintain and administer Tekla Structures and Tekla EPM environments across all Harbor Fab locations
- Manage system updates, configurations, and performance to ensure reliability and scalability
- Troubleshoot and resolve Tekla-related issues and user challenges
- Ensure standard steel shapes, material databases, and pricing structures are accurate and up to date
- Import and validate complete project packages including drawings, CNC files, BOMs, KSS, and ship mark lists
- Workflow Integration (Estimate to Fabrication to Shipment)
- Ensure seamless data flow between estimating, detailing, fabrication, and shipping
- Support integration of Tekla with CNC equipment and downstream systems
- Validate model integrity and accuracy of production files including NC1 and BOMs
- Reduce manual data entry through system optimization and automation
- Labor Calibration Loop (Phase II Alignment)
- Support Harbor Fab’s labor calibration loop: Estimate, Execute, Actual, Adjust
- Develop reporting and dashboards to track labor variance by product type and operation
- Provide visibility into estimated versus actual performance
- Track throughput metrics such as MH per ton and LF per ton
- Enable continuous improvement efforts through accurate, system-driven data
- Estimating and Parametric Assembly Support
- Support estimating team in maintaining clean, standardized estimating data
- Assist in implementation and consistency of production code structures
- Support development and maintenance of parametric assembly frameworks
- Ensure assemblies align with real fabrication methods
- Assist in Tekla EPM Go rollout and estimating system improvements
- Operations Alignment and Validation Support
- Support operations team in validating labor expectations by operation and product type
- Ensure production codes align with actual shop processes
- Assist in validating parametric assemblies against real fabrication workflows
- Support identification of gaps between estimated and actual execution
- Support shop feedback loop including actual labor tracking
- Reporting, Dashboards, and Operational Visibility
- Develop customized reports and dashboards for Director of Fabrication, Plant Managers, Project Managers, and Estimators
- Track key operational metrics including labor productivity, throughput, backlog, and on-time shipping
- Support backlog burn-down and production planning visibility
- Training, Adoption, and Playbook Execution
- Lead Tekla onboarding for new employees
- Support development and rollout of Tekla training programs
- Execute and sustain the Tekla Playbook across all Harbor Fab locations
- Conduct user competency assessments and promote standardized workflows
- Automation and System Development
- Build and maintain templates, plugins, and macros to automate repetitive tasks
- Reduce manual data entry and improve workflow efficiency
- Support real-time data flow between estimating, detailing, fabrication, and shipping
- Assist in TAKT time analysis, backlog tracking, and labor forecasting through Tekla EPM
- Data Governance Support
- Support data governance processes under direction of designated ownership
- Maintain discipline in data imports including IFC and PFXT and system standards
- Ensure consistency in shapes, grades, sizes, and system structures
Role Alignment and Boundaries
- This role does not own estimating accuracy or operational execution
- This role enables both functions by ensuring Tekla systems, data, and workflows are aligned
- Works in coordination with estimating, operations, and data governance
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong experience with Tekla Structures and or Tekla EPM
- Understanding of structural steel fabrication processes and workflows
- Ability to read design, fabrication, and erection drawings
- Experience with production tracking, labor analysis, and reporting systems
- Familiarity with parametric modeling, automation tools, and system integration
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
Travel
Approximately 25% travel to Harbor Fab facilities in Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, and future locations
Reporting Structure
Reports directly to Vice President of Operations
Success Metrics (Key Outcomes)
- Supports achievement of less than 1 percent estimating variance through system alignment
- Accurate labor tracking and reporting by operation and product type
- Improved alignment between estimating and fabrication execution
- Increased adoption and consistency of Tekla workflows across all facilities
- Reduction in manual processes and data inconsistencies
- Improved visibility into operational performance and throughput