Independent engineering procurement desk
Stop overpaying for engineering software, staff and stamps
Engineering teams commonly lose 18% to 34% of technical budget to unaudited CAD/PLM renewals, 45%-65% staffing markups, offshore rework and contingency-fee R&D studies. Engineer Aid gives you the benchmark math before you sign, then audits the contract with you.
- No resale, placement or contingency fees
- Every figure shows its arithmetic
- Benchmarks revised 2026-11-06
- License-server telemetry read, 90 days
- Every line priced against the house range
- 2 redlines raised for the VAR
01Five places engineering budgets leak
Engineering spend is spread across vendors who each price their own way: CAD and simulation resellers, staffing agencies, offshore drafting bureaus, product development firms, stamping engineers and R&D tax advisers. Each one has a contract structure that quietly favours the seller unless someone on the buyer side reads it with numbers in hand.
Engineer Aid is that buyer-side reader. We are independent: we do not resell licenses, place contractors or prepare tax returns, so the benchmark is the only thing we are selling. The six calculators on this site use the same house benchmarks we use in an audit, and every result can be shared with your CFO or procurement committee as a link or a printed brief.
| Spend line | Typical leak | Benchmark to test |
|---|---|---|
| CAD / PLM / CAE renewals | 8%-14% auto-uplifts, idle named seats | ≤3%/yr cap; 2.6:1 floating ratio |
| Contingent engineering staff | 45%-62% markup, 20%-25% buyout fees | Disclosed pay/bill; $0 fee after 520-1,040 hrs |
| Offshore CAD / BIM / FEA | 15%-25% US rework and QA overhead | 18% QA buffer with redline SLAs |
| Multi-state PE / SE stamps | Per-project pricing at volume, SE surprises | $195-$350/site solar; 1.35× SE states |
| R&D tax credit studies | 20%-30% contingency fees | $8,500 + $1,200 per business component |
02How an audit works
- Run the numbers. Use the calculator above (or any of the six tools) with your seat counts, rates or QREs. The link it generates restores every input.
- Send the brief. One click moves the calculation into the enquiry form below; nothing has to be retyped.
- Document review. We read the quote, MSA, statement of work or engagement letter against the benchmarks and mark up the clauses that carry the cost.
- Negotiation pack. You get a redline list, a target price and an RFP scope you can send to two or three competing vendors.
Most reviews start 60-120 days before a renewal or contract signature. Under 60 days, the first redline is usually a short co-term extension so the benchmark has time to work.
03House benchmarks used across the site
These are typical 2025-2026 market figures for US buyers. Quotes move with region, seat count, timing and term length, so treat them as the starting point of a negotiation, not a price list. Each figure is explained, with its arithmetic, on the sheet that covers it.
| Item | Benchmark | Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| SOLIDWORKS Professional term seat | $3,800/yr (range $3,456-$4,152) | VAR comparison |
| Autodesk Flex breakeven, AutoCAD | 94 days/yr (7 tokens × $3.00) | Named vs Flex |
| Ansys Mechanical / Fluent lease | $22,000/solver seat/yr + $12,500 HPC Pack | Ansys audit |
| Offshore 3D CAD dedicated FTE | $18/hr, $2,880/month | Offshore bureau comparison |
| Commercial MEP TI PE review | MAX($2,200, sq ft × $0.55) | PE fee calculator |
| Federal § 41 net credit (ASC) | ~7.9% of total QRE | R&D credit calculator |
Start with the sheet closest to your decision: SOLIDWORKS VAR comparison, staffing agency markups, multi-state PE stamping or contingency vs fixed-fee R&D studies.
04Who uses Engineer Aid
- VPs of Engineering and CTOs facing a CAD, PLM or simulation renewal, or choosing between agency contractors, an offshore bureau and a product development firm.
- CFOs, controllers and tax directors modelling Section 41 credits, Section 174A domestic expensing and the 15-year foreign amortization penalty.
- A&E principals, EPC and solar developers buying PE and SE review across several states, with comity and firm-registration filings.
- Procurement and software asset managers who need a defensible benchmark and a redline list before the vendor call.
Benchmarks are typical 2025-2026 market ranges compiled by Engineer Aid, an independent desk not affiliated with the vendors named. Quotes vary by region, volume and timing; nothing here is legal, tax or engineering advice. Revised 2026-11-06.
Questions buyers ask
What does Engineer Aid do?
Engineer Aid is an independent engineering procurement and audit desk. It benchmarks CAD/PLM software renewals, contingent staffing and outsourcing contracts, multi-state PE stamping fees and R&D tax credit studies, and gives buyers the redlines and target prices to negotiate with.
Is Engineer Aid a reseller or staffing agency?
No. Engineer Aid does not resell software, place contractors or prepare tax returns. It works on the buyer side, so its benchmarks are not tied to any vendor's margin.
How much can a CAD license audit save?
On a typical 25-seat SOLIDWORKS Professional estate with 30% light users, moving light users to a floating pool and capping renewal uplift at 3% instead of 9.5% saves about $17,700 a year and roughly $75,000 over three years.
Are the calculators free?
Yes. All six calculators are free, need no sign-up, and produce a shareable link and a printable brief. Sending the result to an auditor is optional.
How current are the benchmarks?
The benchmarks are typical 2025-2026 US market ranges, reviewed in November 2026. Vendor quotes vary by region, volume and timing, so they are a starting point for negotiation rather than a price list.