Senior Designer – Tekla

Department: Engineering and Design

Reporting to: Design Manager

Position: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Columbia Falls, MT or Dothan, AL, Remote Optional

Salary: Based on Experience

Schedule: Monday – Friday

Travel: Moderate

Innovate the Industry: Build the Future of Mass Timber Detailing

Mass Timber is redefining how we construct buildings, but its detailing workflows are ripe for disruption. At SmartLam North America, we aren’t looking for just another designer; we are searching for a Tekla visionary – someone who is hungry to take ownership, challenge legacy processes, and create the next generation of modeling & detailing workflows / solutions.

If you thrive on complexity, possess the expertise to push Tekla Structures to its absolute limits, and are excited to implement groundbreaking processes that will form the foundation for a whole industry – this is your chance. Join us, and together we’ll make Tekla into our fully integrated Mass Timber detailing platform.

Primary Objectives

• System Design & Implementation: Working with the Design Manager and other stakeholders, design, develop, and deploy Tekla workflows for Mass Timber Design & Detailing.
• Structural Steel Detailing: Lead the modeling & detailing of custom steel for Mass Timber Projects – Teach others on custom steel detailing in Tekla, while learning about timber detailing.
• Downstream Integration: Extend Tekla workflows beyond the E&D team to drive manufacturing and site logistics. This may include exporting CNC files from Tekla, leveraging the model for truck loading plans & erection sequencing, and extending Trimble Connect & related tools to better inform factory & site personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilize Tekla Structures to create fabrication models & associated documentation for custom steel on Mass Timber projects, including (but not necessarily limited to) the following:
• Import, review, and cleanup of third-party 3D models
• Create & maintain Tekla model for the project
• Prepare and manage 2D submittal drawings
• Manage project specific BIM coordination
• Prepare and manage project specific RFI’s
• Create production documents for steel fabrication & installation
• Support Project Managers with fastener and hardware take-offs and work orders.
• Pre-Production kick-off and project review with the production team, as necessary.
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• Tekla Environment Ownership: Design, document, and maintain a scalable Tekla Structures platform tailored for Mass Timber, including custom components, part libraries, drawing templates, and reports.
• Establish Tekla modeling standards that optimize project data quality, minimize fabrication errors, and standardize Bill of Materials (BOM) outputs.
• Develop workflows to utilize Tekla for construction sequencing, including the creation of 3D truck loading plans and erection sequence visualizations to assist field teams.
• Collaborate with the manufacturing team to configure Tekla exports for production – ensuring seamless data transfer from the digital model to the shop floor.
• Proactively evaluate new features, extensions, and Trimble products (e.g., Trimble Connect, API tools) to ensure SLNA remains at the forefront of design & detailing technology.
• Support the education and training of detailers and 3D modelers.
• Support the Quality Control review of projects
• Support effort to maintain drafting standards for ALL drafting software platforms being utilized.

Required Skills & Experience

• Deep Expertise in Tekla Structures
• Creation & use of custom components
• Steel detailing
• Environment setup
• Implementation of Tekla in a new team/company.
• Proven track record in delivering structural projects
• Experienced in reading/interpreting Construction Drawings.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of products
• Highly organized and detailed.
• Advanced communication and organizational skills
• Able to work well with and manage others in a team environment.

Other Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience with scripting or automation within Tekla Structures & the Trimble suite of products (e.g. Tekla Open API)
• Understanding of BIM principles, workflows, and collaboration processes, with experience in implementing and enforcing BIM standards within Tekla Structures.
• Experience with other 3D software and BIM software (Revit, Rhino, Navisworks, etc.)
• Experience with Mass Timber

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

SmartLam North America is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, benefits, compensation, and training. We seek to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws related to discrimination and will not tolerate interference with the ability of any of the Company’s employees to perform their job duties.

Americans with Disabilities

SmartLam North America will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.