1099 Consulting
CAD Guardian LLC.
Architecture-led consulting for Autodesk plugin development, desktop application modernization, and enterprise workflow systems. The person designing the system is the person building it.
TL;DR
CAD Guardian is the consulting path for Autodesk, CAD plugin, .NET desktop modernization, and workflow integration problems that need architecture and implementation from the same owner.
- ✓Founder-led — no account manager layer
- ✓Inventor, AutoCAD, Vault, WPF, .NET 8/9
- ✓Phased delivery — stop, expand, or redirect after each phase
- ✓Enterprise-safe process without enterprise overhead
$165/hr
Consulting rate · project or retainer
6+
Enterprise CAD/workflow modernizations
24%
Average cost reduction for clients
Buyer scan path
Decide fit by boundary, service lane, process, and proof.
BoundaryName the Autodesk, CAD plugin, desktop app, or workflow system that is creating production drag.ServiceChoose the closest service lane, then use discovery to turn it into a bounded phase plan.ProcessReview how discovery, implementation, weekly reporting, and handoff stay controlled.ProofCheck case studies and receipts before starting the inquiry.
Best-Fit Engagements
Where CAD Guardian delivers the most value
CAD Host Migration
Move plugins, add-ins, or tooling from one CAD host to another without losing feature parity or disrupting production workflows.
Autodesk Plugin Modernization
Upgrade Inventor or AutoCAD add-ins to current API surfaces, resolve version drift, and eliminate compatibility failures that stall deployments.
Shared WPF/XAML UI Extraction
Extract common UI elements — dialogs, panels, converters, behaviors — into a shared assembly so multiple CAD hosts reuse one tested codebase.
Desktop Engineering Software Refactoring
Restructure legacy desktop applications so your team can ship features faster without breaking the workflows your users depend on.
Standards Configurators
Build rule-driven configurators that enforce engineering standards at the point of design — reducing review cycles and downstream rework.
Data Extraction & File Generation
Automate data extraction from CAD models, drawings, and Vault metadata into structured outputs — BOMs, Excel, PDF, or downstream system feeds.
Vault / PLM / PDM Automation
Automate lifecycle transitions, approval routing, and data sync between Vault, PLM, ERP, and reporting systems.
Architecture Cleanup Before Scaling
Identify and resolve structural debt — tangled dependencies, missing seams, brittle integrations — before adding features or onboarding more developers.
Governed .NET Modernization
Migrate from .NET Framework to .NET 8/9 with production-safe sequencing, phased rollout, and zero-downtime cutover planning.
What You Receive
Concrete deliverables, not vague promises
Technical Discovery Report
System inventory, risk map, and prioritized recommendation deck your team can act on immediately.
Architecture Review
Documented assessment of current boundaries, dependencies, and structural debt with a clear path forward.
Working Software Increments
Functional, tested code delivered in bounded sprints — not a months-long black box.
Shared Component Extraction
Reusable UI assemblies and shared libraries separated from host-specific code with clean interfaces.
Implementation & Integration
Production-grade code that integrates with your existing CI/CD pipeline, branching strategy, and review process.
Risk Identification & Mitigation
Documented risk register with severity, likelihood, and recommended mitigations — updated each sprint.
Handoff Documentation
Architecture decision records, deployment guides, and operational runbooks your team can maintain independently.
Acceptance-Ready Deliverables
Every milestone includes explicit acceptance criteria, demo, and sign-off before the next phase begins.
Progress Visibility
Shared project tracker, weekly status reports, and demo cadence — no surprises at delivery.
How We Engage
Six phases from discovery to handoff
01
Discovery & Alignment
Paid discovery call to assess mutual fit, understand the real problem, and deliver a written go/no-go recommendation.
02
Scoped Plan or SOW
Clear proposal with fixed scope, timeline, pricing, and success criteria — a document your team can evaluate internally.
03
Contract & Kickoff
Simple MSA + Order Form. Shared roadmap with task owners, named point of contact, and agreed cadence from day one.
04
Staged Implementation
Architecture-led delivery in bounded sprints. Working software increments with demos at each milestone.
05
Progress Reviews
Weekly check-ins, decision logs, and risk updates keep stakeholders aligned without meetings that could have been emails.
06
Delivery & Handoff
Acceptance sign-off, documentation package, clean boundaries, and a recommendation for next phase — or a clean exit.
Proof
Receipts, not resumes
- ▸Delivered multi-host CAD plugin architecture supporting Inventor and AutoCAD from a single shared UI assembly.
- ▸Executed phased .NET Framework to .NET 8 migration for production desktop applications without downtime.
- ▸Built adapter-based plugin systems that decouple host-specific API calls from shared business logic.
- ▸Architected data extraction pipelines from Vault and Inventor into structured reporting and ERP feeds.
- ▸Designed and shipped standards configurators that reduced engineering review cycles by eliminating non-conforming designs at the point of entry.
- ▸Modernized legacy WPF applications with incremental refactoring — no rip-and-replace, no production disruption.
Why CAD Guardian
What makes this different
Architecture + Execution in the Same Hands
No hand-off gap. The person designing the system is the person building it. Decisions stick because they are grounded in implementation reality.
Deep CAD & Industrial Software Expertise
Inventor API, AutoCAD, Vault, WPF/XAML, .NET — not academic familiarity, but production experience inside real enterprise environments.
Governed Delivery, Not Freelance Chaos
Scoped milestones, explicit acceptance criteria, weekly cadence, and a decision log. Enterprise-safe process without enterprise overhead.
Founder-Led Accountability
You work directly with the principal. No account manager layer, no junior hand-off, no bait-and-switch.
Phased Engagement by Design
Every project is structured so you can stop, expand, or redirect after each phase. No lock-in. No sunk-cost traps.
FAQ
Common questions
High-stakes modernization, CAD-hosted workflow tooling, desktop application renewal, Autodesk plugin development, and integration work where architecture and implementation need to stay in the same hands.
Yes. Most engagements start inside an existing codebase. I work with your branching strategy, CI pipeline, and review process — not around them.
Absolutely. Incremental modernization is the default posture. The goal is bounded wins that keep production running, not a high-risk rip-and-replace.
Yes. Most projects begin with a scoped discovery or bounded first sprint. Each phase has its own deliverables and acceptance criteria. You are never locked into the next phase.
That is the core value proposition. Architecture-led delivery means the person designing the system is the same person building it — no hand-off gap.
Weekly check-ins, a shared project tracker, and demo cadence keep stakeholders aligned. At close-out, you receive documentation, clean boundaries, and a handoff package your team can extend.
Yes. These are the core technology platforms. Inventor API, AutoCAD plugin development, Vault integration, WPF/XAML desktop modernization, and .NET 8/9 migration are all within scope.
Remote-first by default. All delivery is managed through shared project tooling with documented cadence. On-site visits can be arranged for kickoffs or critical milestones when justified.
That is normal. The paid discovery call exists specifically to turn a rough idea into a clear go/no-go recommendation with enough structure to move forward or walk away confidently.
Ready to scope your project?
Start with a paid discovery call. You get a written go/no-go recommendation — no commitment beyond that.