DriveWorks Integration & Automation Specialist

Location: Alpena, MI (Onsite)
Company: Omni Metalcraft Corp. – Distributor Division

About Omni Metalcraft Corp. – Distributor Division

Omni Metalcraft Corp. has been supplying high-quality material handling equipment and components for over 40 years, including gravity, belt, chain-driven, and line-shaft conveyors, as well as rollers, lifts, and custom solutions for a wide range of industries.

From our headquarters in Alpena, Michigan, Omni operates as a manufacturer, OEM distributor, and systems integrator, providing complete material handling solutions and support.

The Distributor Division works closely with distributors, integrators, and OEM partners to configure, quote, and support conveyor systems built around Omni products. This team focuses on fast, accurate proposals, effective system layouts, and smooth handoffs from sales to engineering and manufacturing.

Position Overview

As a DriveWorks Integration & Automation Specialist in the Distributor Division, you will be the key driver of our automation strategy for quoting, configuration, and design support. Your primary responsibility is to own and develop our DriveWorks platform (integrated with SOLIDWORKS) so distributors and internal teams can quickly and accurately configure systems, generate drawings, and produce pricing and documentation.

You will:

• Turn product and engineering standards into easy-to-use configuration tools.
• Automate creation of models, drawings, and BOMs to support accurate orders.
• Help sales and distributor partners move from inquiry to quote faster and with fewer manual steps.

This role also includes the opportunity to explore AI-assisted workflows, such as configuration helpers, quote checks, and smarter user input forms, as we continue to enhance our digital tools.

Key Responsibilities

• DriveWorks project development

  • Build and maintain DriveWorks rules, logic, and user interfaces for multiple Omni product lines.
  • Structure projects so they are clear, documented, and easy to update as products evolve.

• Automation of SOLIDWORKS content

  • Automate parts, assemblies, drawings, and BOMs used in distributor proposals and internal engineering packages.
  • Create and maintain standard templates, configurations, and macros that support repeatable system design.

• Quoting and proposal automation

  • Develop guided configuration and quoting tools that help sales and distributor partners quickly create accurate proposals.
  • Ensure automated outputs include clear pricing, key dimensions, options, and BOM details.

• Data and standards management

  • Translate Omni standards (product rules, limits, options, pricing logic) into structured data and rules.
  • Support consistency in part numbers, descriptions, and configurations across systems.

• Support and troubleshooting

  • Diagnose and resolve DriveWorks and SOLIDWORKS automation issues, including rules, data, and performance problems.
  • Document solutions, best practices, and step-by-step guides for other users.

• Cross-functional collaboration

  • Work closely with Distributor Sales, Estimating, Engineering, Programming, and Manufacturing to ensure automation reflects real-world workflows and constraints.
  • Gather feedback from internal users and distributors to improve tools over time.

• Exploration of AI and next-gen tools (strategic/optional)

  • Explore AI-enabled tools that could assist with configuration, quote analysis, error checking, or user input.
  • Share findings and suggestions with leadership on where these tools can add practical value.

Skills Needed

Must-Have Skills

• DriveWorks experience

  • Hands-on experience with DriveWorks (Solo or Pro), including building rules, forms, and user interfaces for product configuration.

• SOLIDWORKS proficiency

  • Strong skills in SOLIDWORKS for parts, assemblies, and drawings.
  • Experience with design tables, configurations, templates, and basic macros.

• Engineering / technical mindset

  • Experience in mechanical design, manufacturing, or product development, preferably in an industrial or equipment-related environment.
  • Comfort working with dimensions, tolerances, options, and system-level layouts.

• Logical and structured thinking

  • Ability to break down complex standards into clear rules and parameters.
  • Strong attention to detail and a focus on accuracy in configurations and outputs.

• Communication and teamwork

  • Ability to explain rules and tools in a clear, straightforward way to non-technical users (e.g., sales, distributors).
  • Comfortable working with multiple departments and balancing their needs.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with ERP or BOM systems and how engineering data feeds purchasing and production.
• Familiarity with conveyors or material handling equipment (e.g., roller conveyors, belt conveyors, gravity systems). 
• Knowledge of VBA or other scripting/automation frameworks used with DriveWorks or SOLIDWORKS.
• Exposure to AI-enabled tools (e.g., LLM-based helpers, configuration assistants, or quote/pattern analysis tools).

Knowledge Required

• Product and system configuration

  • Understanding of how configurable products are structured (options, rules, dependencies).
  • Basic knowledge of how conveyor systems and material handling equipment are assembled and used in real applications. [thomasnet.com], [industrynet.com]

• Design automation concepts

  • Familiarity with how DriveWorks captures parameters, applies rules, and drives SOLIDWORKS models, drawings, and documents. 
  • General understanding of configurators and guided selling tools.

• Manufacturing and operations basics

  • Knowledge of how engineering outputs (drawings, BOMs, models) flow into purchasing, scheduling, and production.
  • Awareness of how standardization and reuse reduce errors and lead times.

• Data and systems

  • Understanding of how product data can be stored and maintained (spreadsheets, databases, ERP).
  • Awareness of integration points between CAD, configuration tools, quoting systems, and ERP.

• Emerging technologies (preferred)

  • High-level understanding of where AI and automation can assist configuration, quoting, and documentation processes.

Ability to Implement Skills and Knowledge

To be successful in this role, you should be able to:

• Convert standards into working tools

  • Take written standards, spreadsheets, and engineering input and turn them into working DriveWorks projects that reliably generate the right models, drawings, and pricing.

• Design for real users

  • Build forms and interfaces that are intuitive for salespeople and distributor partners, even if they are not CAD experts.
  • Listen to user feedback and adjust projects to make them easier and faster to use.

• Troubleshoot systematically

  • Work through rule logic, test inputs, and outputs to find and fix issues.
  • Use a step-by-step approach to isolate problems and verify solutions.

• Document and share

  • Create clear documentation, including how-to guides and project notes, so others can understand, use, and maintain the tools.
  • Train colleagues on how to use configuration tools and explain the logic behind them.

• Continuously improve

  • Look for patterns in errors, common requests, and manual workarounds, then update automation to reduce those pain points.
  • Stay open to new features and technologies that could further streamline the Distributor Division’s workflows.

Benefits of Working at Omni Metalcraft Corp.

Our standard full-time benefits package includes:

• Competitive pay based on competency
• 100% employer-paid health insurance and HSA for employees
• Flexible paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Discretionary bonuses

You’ll also be part of a small, tight-knit team with a big impact on how our distributors and customers experience Omni Metalcraft.

Ready to Apply?

We are excited to welcome new talent to our team! If you are passionate about what you do and are looking for a dynamic and supportive work environment, we encourage you to apply. Join us and be a part of a company that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. We look forward to seeing how we can succeed together.