Design Engineer

Firman Solutions; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Firman Solutions in Los Angeles, CA seeks an experienced Design Manager - Architecture & Engineering to lead capital improvement design and planning. You will oversee architectural and engineering services, budgets, schedules, contract administration, and design reviews for public-sector projects including K-12 and higher education.

The role requires coordinating architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure projects meet codes, regulatory requirements, and

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of full-time professional experience managing facility design, planning, or coordination of capital-improvement projects.
• Experience with overall project design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling.
• At least four years of experience in design, planning, and construction of educational facilities, public facilities, or similar public agency projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage, develop, and coordinate the architectural and engineering design process to meet programmatic, budgetary, environmental, regulatory, and legal requirements.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely project completion.
• Oversee the building design process to ensure compliance with building codes, design standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational guidelines.
• Assist with identifying and selecting architectural and engineering firms based on qualifications and project requirements.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Design reviews

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or closely related field

Tools

DSA processes

California Building Codes

Cost estimating

Project scheduling software

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager - Architecture & Engineering (AE) to manage the design and planning of capital improvement projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background overseeing architectural and engineering services, consultants, budgets, schedules, contract administration, and design reviews.

Experience with K-12 educational facilities, higher education, government facilities, or other public-sector projects is highly preferred. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and organized professional who can effectively coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders while ensuring projects meet quality, budget, schedule, code, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage, develop, and coordinate the architectural and engineering design process to ensure projects meet programmatic, budgetary, environmental, regulatory, and legal requirements.
• Manage multiple capital improvement, renovation, repair, and critical repair projects simultaneously.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely project completion.
• Oversee the building design process to ensure compliance with applicable building codes, design standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational guidelines.
• Assist with identifying and selecting architectural and engineering firms based on qualifications, project requirements, and demonstrated performance.
• Provide architects and design consultants with clear direction regarding project goals, objectives, standards, site requirements, schedules, and budgets.
• Establish and manage an effective design review process to ensure designs meet project objectives and stakeholder requirements.
• Review design documents, plans, specifications, and proposed changes for quality, constructability, cost, and compliance.
• Monitor project budgets and evaluate design changes to help maintain cost control.
• Coordinate cost estimating, scheduling, contract administration, and design-related activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project planning and design progress and provide regular status updates, recommendations, and reports to project stakeholders.
• Promote cost-effective, sustainable, functional, and durable design solutions that meet the needs of the organization and surrounding community.
• Identify potential project risks, schedule impacts, and design issues and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years of full-time professional experience managing facility design, planning, or coordination of capital improvement projects.
• Demonstrated experience with overall project design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling.
• At least 4 years of experience in the design, planning, and construction of educational facilities, public facilities, institutional projects, or similar projects for public agencies.
• Strong understanding of architectural and engineering design processes and project delivery methodologies.
• Experience managing architects, engineers, consultants, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent communication, organizational, problem-solving, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, budgets, and schedules simultaneously.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field.

Preferred License & Certifications:

• Valid California Architect license issued by the California Architects Board, or
• Valid California Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
• PMP, DBIA, or other relevant professional certifications are a plus.

Preferred Experience

• K-12 educational facility projects.
• Public-sector or government capital improvement programs.
• School modernization, renovation, repair, or new construction projects.
• Experience with California building codes and regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements and processes.
• Experience managing A&E contracts, design reviews, budgets, schedules, and consultant performance.