CAD/CAM & DfAM Engineer (Product Development)

CAD/CAM & DfAM Engineer (Product Development & Prototyping)

About the Role

Windbridge Concepts is scaling its advanced manufacturing capabilities. We are looking for a highly skilled CAD/CAM Engineer who thrives in the intersection of digital design and physical production. Unlike a traditional drafting role, you will be the bridge between a concept and a finished high-fidelity prototype or serial production part.

A critical component of this role is Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). You will not simply prepare files for printing; you will rethink geometries to push the limits of what our machines can achieve, ensuring every part is optimized for performance, weight, and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities

• Design for Excellence (DfX): Review and optimize 3D models for various manufacturing processes including SLA/SLS/FDM 3D printing, 5-axis CNC machining, and Injection Moulding.
• DfAM Optimization: Implement Topology Optimization and Lattice Structures to reduce part weight while maintaining structural integrity.
• Tooling & Mold Design: Design core/cavity inserts and feed systems for Vacuum Casting (silicone molds) and Rapid Tooling (Injection Moulding/RIM).
• CAM Programming: Generate precise toolpaths and G-code for CNC machines, ensuring optimal surface finish and dimensional accuracy.
• Material Strategy: Select appropriate resins, filaments, or alloys based on the mechanical requirements of the prototype (especially for Reaction Injection Moulding).
• Project Troubleshooting: Identify potential manufacturing failures in the design phase and provide corrective feedback to the design team or clients.

Technical Qualifications

• Expert Software Proficiency: Advanced mastery of SolidWorks (for engineering/tooling) and Rhino3D (for complex surfaces/organic geometries). Proficiency in Fusion 360, Mastercam, or Magics is a significant plus.
• DfAM Mastery: Deep understanding of orientation-based physics, isotropic vs. anisotropic properties, and the use of Generative Design to solve engineering challenges.
• Multi-Process Expertise: Proven experience in:

Subtractive: CNC Milling/Turning setup and programming.

Additive: Industrial 3D printing workflow and support generation.

Casting/Moulding: Vacuum casting workflows and Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) for large- scale parts.

• Material Knowledge: Understanding of polymers, elastomers, and metals used in rapid prototyping.
• Precision: Deep understanding of tolerances ($ISO$ standards) and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).

Preferred Experience

• 36 years of experience in a high-stakes prototyping house, automotive design studio, or medical device manufacturing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight "rapid prototyping" deadlines.
• Strong communication skills to explain technical manufacturing constraints to non-technical clients.