Design Group Manager (PE License)

Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Flexible work schedule

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) program with employer match

Professional Development Program

Job summary

Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. is seeking a Design Group Manager to lead our transportation design team in Detroit. This role involves overseeing key projects, providing technical leadership, and fostering client relationships to enhance our market presence in Michigan.

With a focus on mentoring staff and ensuring project delivery excellence, the Design Group Manager will work closely with firm leadership to shape strategies for growth. Join us to be part of a respected engineering firm dedicated to innovation and quality.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of design experience using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation.
• Demonstrated record of winning transportation projects in Michigan.
• Strong business acumen and negotiation skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Design Team for high-quality deliverables.
• Manage project performance, budget, and schedule.
• Build relationships with clients to understand their needs.
• Develop and implement business development strategies.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Client relationship building

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

MicroStation

Business development

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) License

Tools

MS Office Suite

ERP/CRM platforms

Job description

Infrastructure Engineering Inc (IEI) is looking for our next Group Manager level talent to help grow our Detroit office and elevate our transportation design practice across the Michigan market.

The Design Group Manager will lead our local transportation design team, manage key projects, and partner closely with firm leadership to deepen client relationships and strategically expand our presence in the Detroit market. This role blends high-level technical leadership, project delivery oversight, and collaborative business development, working in coordination with the Detroit Sr Vice President and national Business Development team.

About the Role

The Design Group Manager is responsible for the leadership, organization, morale, technical excellence, and operational performance of the Transportation Design Team in Detroit. This position serves both as a technical leader and a client‑facing project manager, ensuring delivery of high‑quality engineering services while fostering strong, enduring client relationships.

Working in partnership with the Senior Vice President, firm leadership, and national BD Team, the Design Group Manager will help shape market strategy, pursue key opportunities, and grow IEI’s footprint with Michigan municipalities, and other public agencies. Success in this role requires a leader who can inspire a high‑performing technical team, manage complex transportation projects, and build IEI’s reputation in the Michigan market.

We are a leading engineering firm known for quality and responsiveness and a proven track record of success as a Prime civil engineering firm. Join us on this exciting journey as we continue to build a company based on Integrity, Excellence, and Ingenuity!

Essential Duties/Functions and Responsibilities

Technical & Project Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and support the Design Team to ensure technically accurate, high‑quality deliverables (plans, specifications, permits, reports, etc.).
• Promote and implement technologies and tools that drive efficient, innovative project delivery.
• Serve as a senior technical resource on transportation infrastructure projects.
• Ensure project teams prepare and follow Project Management Plans (PMPs) and adhere to QA/QC processes.
• Oversee development and approval of scopes, fees, and schedules for major pursuits and contracts.
• Monitor project performance, budget, and schedule, and communicate issues promptly to clients and internal leadership.
• Support contract reviews to manage risk and reinforce responsible commercial practices.
• Engage directly with clients to understand their priorities, capital programs, and long‑term needs.
• Build deep, multi‑level relationships between IEI staff and client organizations.
• Coordinate with the Senior Vice President in the Detroit Office and national BD team to identify, pursue, and secure new work across the state.
• Lead or support proposal development, client interviews, and project‑specific marketing efforts.
• Maintain frequent contact with existing clients to evaluate performance and identify new opportunities.
• Participate actively in industry and community events to elevate IEI’s visibility and brand.

Education and/or Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from an accredited four‑year college or university, or approved equivalent.
• Professional Engineer (PE) License required; ability to obtain Michigan PE within six months if currently licensed elsewhere.
• Must have 20+ years of design experience using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation and Bluebeam, as well as progressive experience in AASHTOWare, roadway design, culvert, sewer, wastewater, etc.
• Ideal candidate will have transportation engineering as well as project management, client relations, and/or business development responsibilities.
• Demonstrated record of winning and delivering transportation projects in Michigan with strong familiarity with MDOT and municipal clients.
• Substantial business development experience within the engineering consulting industry, including proven client development and relationship‑building skills.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams, oversee project delivery, and manage complex transportation infrastructure projects.
• Strong business acumen, negotiation skills, and excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience working with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Familiarity with ERP or CRM platforms (e.g., Deltek, Paycor, VantagePoint).
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing staff, fostering collaboration, and supporting a positive team culture.

Certificates, Licenses and/or Registrations

• Active Registered Professional Engineer required. Additional registrations and accreditations (i.e., LEED AP, Certified Floodplain Manager, PTOE, etc.) are desired.

Project Delivery

• Ensures project delivery team prepares IEI’s Project Management Plan (PMP) at the start of the project and follows and updates them for the duration of the project.
• Ensures projects receive a Minimum Formal Evaluation or Feedback of “Satisfactory” or Equivalent from Clients. Actively deploys practices and procedures to earn “Above Average” evaluation.
• Ensures project delivery team complies with IEI’s QA/QC and/or client‑mandated QA/QC policies and procedures.
• Monitors financial profitability of the Group and takes corrective actions when profitability falls below the target. General overall profit target is 10%.
• Assists firm leadership in shaping and deploying strategies which help sustain profitability and financial strength of the firm.
• Regularly monitors project progress and budget and ensures project delivery team completes projects within the allocated budget and schedule.
• Ensures all members of project delivery team are aware of and actively monitoring budgets on a recurring basis commensurate with job classification.
• Ensures all assigned members of project delivery team are complying with invoicing protocols and schedules and working actively in pursuing collections and ARs.

Marketing and Business Development

• Develops and fosters relationships with key clients and agencies which result in winning work.
• Develop and deploy business development strategies which result in Group’s growth in alignment with the firm’s growth strategies.
• Meets regularly with existing clients to discuss current projects, evaluate performance, and identify other business opportunities.
• Oversees and contributes in preparation of technical proposals and other marketing efforts in a timely manner.
• Proactively participates in industry and community functions and activities that promote IEI’s visibility and brand.

Talent Management and Development

• Develop office and firm’s strategic capabilities and capacity by attracting and recruiting staff.
• Works in collaboration with staff in identifying and actively promoting the professional development of staff to meet personal and firm’s professional development goals.
• Must enjoy mentoring junior engineers into launching their careers; as well as able to grow a team in the MI market; sharing knowledge and mentoring and teaching others.

Soft Skills

• Possesses good verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates a positive work attitude and behaviors.
• Promotes and participates in team‑building initiatives for the Group and firm.
• Possesses critical thinking skills with the ability to plan, organize, delegate and prioritize work and make decisions and solve problems.
• Possesses the ability to motivate and lead staff to achieve the Group’s and firm’s mission, vision and core values.

Benefits and Perks

• Highly competitive salary, and bonus opportunities
• Flexible work schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Personal paid leave (paid time‑off)
• Paid holidays
• Life insurance
• Short and long‑term disability program
• 401(k) program with employer match
• Profit sharing
• Employee assistance programEmployee referral program
• Employee appreciation program
• IEI University
• An opportunity to learn and grow - Professional Development Program
• Opportunity to share ideas and express your point of view
• You are welcome to be your authentic self
• Philanthropic outreach and volunteer opportunities

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

IEI will provide a company vehicle for fieldwork with an acceptable driver's record.

Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions or in‑progress construction hazards: fumes, toxic chemicals, risk of electric shock, and vibration. Often works around dust, asphalt, and concrete.

Sometimes need to put in extra hours, including weekends, to keep up with intense construction work at times and deal with unexpected situations and accidents.

Spends some time working indoors to review blueprints and write reports.

Usually works a standard 40‑hour work week either daytime or nighttime.

Usually works in outside weather conditions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work outdoors in various weather conditions, possibly for an extended period of time, depending on the assignment type. The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate. The noise level on the construction site is often loud and may require the use of hearing protection.

Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and full inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, participate in an interview, or otherwise engage in the recruitment process, please contact our Human Resources department at 312-392-2796 or [e-mail].

Accommodations are available upon request and will be provided in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and our commitment to equal opportunity.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.