Sr. Design Manager

Description

The team delivers construction projects at manufacturing and non-manufacturing sites for the company.

The role turns incomplete or conflicting business, process, site and operational inputs into an approved, documented, buildable technical scope.

You lead preconstruction technical work, coordinating internal experts, architecture and engineering firms, design-builders and support functions from early strategy and concept checks through design, procurement, construction and occupancy.

Solutions must be safe, high quality, constructible and ready for bidding, matching the approved scope, schedule, cost, company standards and stakeholder needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preconstruction technical path, from strategic intent and early planning to an approved, fully coordinated construction document package and formal handoff to construction.
• Organize internal experts and project partners to write Statements of Requirements, Requests for Proposals, design criteria, execution plans, scopes of service and project engagement plans.
• Create and maintain the design basis, scope narrative, interface matrix, design deliverable matrix, assumptions and decision log as traceable controls for cost, schedule, procurement and design decisions.
• Run design governance and stage-gate reviews, prepare decision-ready material for senior leadership and steering committees, and drive actions, decisions, approvals, risks, issues and interfaces to closure.
• Direct code, regulatory, permitting and Authority Having Jurisdiction coordination, covering site, zoning, environmental, fire, utility, stormwater and other jurisdictional requirements.
• Coordinate AE firms, design consultants and design-builders on design schedules, BIM/VDC expectations, submittals, package releases, QA/QC and integrated reviews for scope, code, constructability, operations, safety, sustainability, commissioning and bidding or IFC readiness.
• Lead the design phase on assigned projects, handle shifting priorities and concurrent work, communicate impacts and recommendations, and improve design-management tools, standards, lessons learned and team capability.

Requirements

• Hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture or a related field.
• Have 4+ years in architecture, engineering or construction on major commercial, industrial or comparable capital projects.
• Have coordinated facilities design and construction and technically led complex multi-discipline projects from early planning through coordinated construction documents and handoff.
• Have reviewed engineering drawings, specifications, design calculations, construction documents and building codes, and led code analysis, regulatory strategy, permit planning and AHJ coordination.
• Understand design management, construction delivery, estimating, scheduling, procurement and project controls for capital projects.
• Have organized and influenced internal SMEs, AE consultants, design-builders, contractors, operations representatives and other stakeholders, resolved technical conflicts, and built commitment without relying only on positional authority.
• Have directed design reviews, interdisciplinary coordination, QA/QC, constructability and bidding-readiness reviews, including readiness for permitting, bidding and IFC release.
• Have working knowledge of BIM/VDC coordination, common data environments, design-review workflows and document control for complex technical deliverables.
• Communicate well in writing and verbally, synthesize complex information into clear recommendations, and use sound judgment with incomplete information.
• Be strong with Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Microsoft Project and design-review or cost-estimating software.
• Show commitment to safety, quality and compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Preferred: experience with automotive or industrial building projects, including original equipment manufacturer, Tier 1 or similar environments.
• Preferred: working knowledge of company organizational structure, construction processes and governance for capital planning, design and execution.
• Preferred: basic knowledge of automotive manufacturing and assembly, including assembly, stamping, powertrain, casting and paint operations.
• Preferred: experience with front-end planning and budgeting for capital projects and with design-build or design-bid-build delivery.
• Preferred: a master's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management or business, such as an MBA.
• Preferred: experience starting and organizing multi-discipline teams across engineering, finance, purchasing, safety, contractors and external partners.

Conditions

The role is hybrid, with presence at a specific location at least 3 days a week, or as often as the manager sets.

Regular travel of 25-50% is required, within North America.

A valid passport is required.

The company does not provide immigration sponsorship for this role; do not apply if you will need sponsorship now or later, including any work authorization that requires a written submission or other immigration support from the company, such as H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN or J-1.

A role-related assessment and/or pre-employment screening may be required before employment begins.

The company is committed to a workplace free of unlawful discrimination that fosters inclusion and belonging.

Benefits

• From day one, the company supports your well-being at work and at home.