Design Manager

Jacobs; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase

Paid time off

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Design Manager in Los Angeles to oversee architectural, structural, MEP, civil, and IT design activities for large-scale aviation modernization projects.

You will lead design review processes, coordinate BIM implementation per LAWA standards, manage scope and deliverables, and mentor a team of design professionals while interfacing with Developers/Design-Builders and TDIP subject matter experts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, and/or related field.
• 15 years or more experience in managing the design of large, complex building projects, utilities and infrastructure improvements, preferably on airport projects.
• Design management of complex aviation improvements experience required.
• Experience with projects more than $100 million in value.
• Experience with various delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design+CMAR and Design/Build.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and a thorough knowledge of industry practices and regulations.
• Self-starter attitude with proactive, results-oriented focus; and willing and capable to assume additional responsibilities.
• Must be able to interface with a variety of people with different technical levels and educational backgrounds.
• Must be detail oriented and highly organized.
• Experience managing a team of design professionals.
• May assume other duties as required/needed.
• Maybe required to work past regular work shift and various shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the review and approval of technical documents (DRT process).
• Lending expertise to manage comment resolution.
• Facilitating meetings and be the technical liaison between the Developers/Design-Builders and TDIP Subject Matter Expert teams.
• Working with the Delivery Director and Project Manager in defining, reviewing and/or approving design requirements, responsibilities and program consistency.
• Providing guidance to the Delivery Director and Project Manager should design requirements contained in the project documents not be clearly defined.
• Providing technical review of changes to scope of work for each project.
• Establishing submittal approval procedures and ensure uniformity of review approach.
• Auditing project team comments and designer responses.
• Monitoring compliance with architectural and engineering guidelines for the Modernization project ensuring consistency and quality in design.
• Monitoring permitting information and the permitting process required by the design team.
• Supporting project managers to ensure design reviews are completed on time and within budget.
• Developing and maintaining the Modernization project scope tracker to verify that all scope elements are accounted for and have been or will be assigned to a project.
• Providing guidance related to the functional requirements contained in the technical specifications or other project documents supplied by LAWA.
• Monitoring BIM productions of all designers and contractors according to LAWA BIM Standards, the BIM Execution Plan, and needs of the Modernization project. The Design Manager is responsible for working with LAWA’s Central Building Information Management (cBIM) to develop the strategy for BIM implementation and review.
• Acting as technical liaison for the design review processes and comment resolution in coordination with the project manager and the Design Review Team (DRT).
• Providing technical support and coordination between the Modernization project team and other TDIP project teams for program consistency across all disciplines.
• Providing technical Support for adjacent LAWA projects as required to ensure accurate interface.
• Providing technical coordination for project consistency across all disciplines.
• Preparing and reviewing briefings, meeting agendas, and supporting materials for various meetings including Board presentations, Steering Committee meeting, Stakeholder outreach, and other TDIP meetings.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Project management

Attention to detail

Team management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, and/or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Bluebeam

Project Management Information Systems

CAD or REVIT

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The Design Manager establishes and monitors procedures for architectural & engineering review activities to ensure they are done according to best practices and standards identified in the Contract. The Design Manager shall oversee design support management, scope of work management, design review and approval, permitting, agency coordination support, and building information modelling (BIM) coordination. The Design Manager supports the Project Manager in providing oversight of the architectural, structural, mechanical electrical plumbing (MEP), civil, utilities, and IT disciplines per LAWA standards. A modernization project would include renovation or re-build of a concourse, headhouse, airline/airport support spaces and aircraft layout design.

Key Job Duties

• Overseeing the review and approval of technical documents (DRT process)
• Lending expertise to manage comment resolution
• Facilitating meetings and be the technical liaison between the Developers/Design-Builders and TDIP Subject Matter Expert teams
• Working with the Delivery Director and Project Manager in defining, reviewing and/or approving design requirements, responsibilities and program consistency
• Providing guidance to the Delivery Director and Project Manager should design requirements contained in the project documents not be clearly defined
• Providing technical review of changes to scope of work for each project
• Establishing submittal approval procedures and ensure uniformity of review approach
• Auditing project team comments and designer responses
• Monitoring compliance with architectural and engineering guidelines for the Modernization project ensuring consistency and quality in design
• Monitoring permitting information and the permitting process required by the design team
• Supporting project managers to ensure design reviews are completed on time and within budget
• Developing and maintaining the Modernization project scope tracker to verify that all scope elements are accounted for and have been or will be assigned to a project
• Providing guidance related to the functional requirements contained in the technical specifications or other project documents supplied by LAWA
• Monitoring BIM productions of all designers and contractors according to LAWA BIM Standards, the BIM Execution Plan, and needs of the Modernization project. The Design Manager is responsible for working with LAWA’s Central Building Information Management (cBIM) to develop the strategy for BIM implementation and review
• Acting as technical liaison for the design review processes and comment resolution in coordination with the project manager and the Design Review Team (DRT)
• Providing technical support and coordination between the Modernization project team and other TDIP project teams for program consistency across all disciplines
• Providing technical Support for adjacent LAWA projects as required to ensure accurate interface
• Providing technical coordination for project consistency across all disciplines
• Preparing and reviewing briefings, meeting agendas, and supporting materials for various meetings including Board presentations, Steering Committee meeting, Stakeholder outreach, and other TDIP meetings

Hardware/Software Knowledge

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Bluebeam
• Familiarity with Project Management Information Systems
• Ability to work in CAD or REVIT a plus

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, and/or related field
• 15 years or more experience in managing the design of large, complex building projects, utilities and infrastructure improvements, preferably on airport projects
• Design management of complex aviation improvements experience required
• Experience with projects more than $100 million in value.
• Experience with various delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design+CMAR and Design/Build
• Proven ability to perform in a management capacity
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and a thorough knowledge of industry practices and regulations
• Must have a self-starter attitude with proactive, results-oriented focus; and willing and capable to assume additional responsibilities
• Must be able to interface with a variety of people with different technical levels and educational backgrounds
• Must be detail oriented and highly organized
• Experience managing a team of design professionals
• May assume other duties as required/needed
• Maybe required to work past regular work shift
• Maybe required to work various shifts as needed

Ideally, you'll also have

• Professionally licensed Architect and/or Engineer strongly preferred

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $142,200.00 to $199,700.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on October 30, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.