Design Manager

The Efficiency Network, Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An energy-focused design-build contractor seeks a Design Manager to oversee design processes for multi-disciplined construction projects, ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory standards. The role involves collaborating with internal teams and external design professionals, managing client relationships, and maintaining project alignment with budgets and schedules. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 7-10+ years of experience in the construction industry are required. The position offers flexible remote or hybrid working options depending on location.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of work experience in managing design development within building construction.
• Demonstrated success in commercial negotiations and managing multidisciplinary design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the overall design process for design-build projects.
• Serve as a key point of contact for clients regarding design matters.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Support commissioning and closeout activities.

Skills

Design-build delivery process

CAD/BIM platforms proficiency

Building codes knowledge

Construction methods understanding

Excellent communication skills

Leadership in multidisciplinary teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Bluebeam

Procore

Trane 3D

Carrier HAP software

Job description

The Efficiency Network, Inc. (TEN) is an independent energy-focused design-build contractor that provides building infrastructure upgrades and energy projects services to state, local, and federal government, K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, and large commercial and industrial customers. We help our clients address deferred maintenance, invest in infrastructure, improve the efficiency and sustainability of their buildings, and make their operations more resilient.

TEN applies proven technology, engineering, construction and project management concepts and practices, along with creative financing and ownership solutions, to deliver projects quickly and efficiently.

TEN is part of the Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc. family of companies.

Summary

Reporting to TEN’s Vice President, Engineering, the Design Manager is responsible for overseeing the design during project development, final design, and supporting the delivery of multi-disciplined construction projects. This role ensures that all design outputs meet technical, regulatory, and quality standards while aligning with project objectives and client requirements. The Design Manager will collaborate closely with internal development, engineering, and construction teams while directing and managing external design professionals (architects, engineers, and subconsultants) to translate conceptual designs into executable plan documents and constructable project strategies. The Design Manager plays a key role in ensuring that projects are designed in a safe and profitable manner and all associated project risks are identified and mitigated.

Location

The successful candidate can work remotely if situated in the geographies where TEN is actively pursuing work including Eastern/Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Northern Virginia or a hybrid in-person 3 days per week at TEN’s Headquarters, if situated in the Pittsburgh, PA region. Frequent Customer and subconsultant on-site meetings are a requirement for the role. The candidate is expected to work at TEN’s headquarters at least once per month.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the overall design process for design-build projects from pursuit through project closeout.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, and specialty designers to ensure cohesive and integrated designs.
• Facilitate design charrettes, workshops, and collaborative sessions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure design solutions meet functional, aesthetic, technical, and regulatory requirements.

Design Build Integration

• Align design development with construction means, methods, sequencing, and logistics.
• Partner closely with preconstruction and operations teams to ensure constructability, schedule alignment, and cost effectiveness to manage known and unknown risks.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients regarding design related matters.
• Translate client goals and performance requirements into clear design direction.
• Present design concepts, alternatives, and recommendations to owners and executive stakeholders.
• Support target value design and cost modeling throughout design development with the assistance of subcontracting and trades partners.
• Monitor design progress to ensure alignment with project budgets and milestone schedules.
• Identify design related risks early and develop mitigation strategies in collaboration with project teams.

Quality & Compliance

• Establish and enforce design quality standards and review processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, regulations, and contract requirements.
• Oversee design reviews, constructability reviews, and interdisciplinary coordination checks.
• Support design-build pursuits, including proposal development, interviews, and conceptual design.
• Participate in pursuit strategy, team selection, and design visioning.
• Assist with scope definition and design fee negotiations.

Construction Phase Design Oversight

• Serve as the primary design authority during construction, providing technical leadership and commercial support to project managers, superintendents, and field teams.
• Review and respond to requests for information (RFIs), submittals, and design clarifications with a focus on minimizing commercial exposure and avoiding schedule disruption.
• Evaluate proposed field changes, substitutions, and value engineering initiatives for technical feasibility, constructability, cost impact, risk allocation, and contract compliance.
• Lead coordination with architects, engineers, design-assist partners, and subcontractors to negotiate and resolve design-related issues and changes encountered during construction and ensure that changes are accurately incorporated into revised documents and as-built records, maintaining alignment with contract requirements.
• Quality Control and monitor construction activities for adherence to approved design documents.
• Support commissioning, testing, and closeout activities.
• Maintain alignment between design intent, construction execution, and financial performance, actively supporting margin protection, schedule adherence, change management, and dispute avoidance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of work experience in managing design development, estimating, and commercial support within the building construction industry.

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of the design-build delivery process.
• Advanced proficiency in CAD/BIM platforms and design standards.
• Strong working knowledge of building codes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Knowledge of building systems, construction methods, and sequencing.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and design narratives.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets, Bluebeam, Procore, Trane 3D, Carrier HAP software

Leadership and Soft Skills:

• Demonstrated success in commercial negotiations with owners, consultants, and trade partners.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to balance technical and commercial priorities.
• Proven leadership managing multidisciplinary design teams in Design-Build environments.
• Strong collaborative leadership and facilitation skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to influence decision-making across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strategic mindset with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Certifications Preferred:

• Licensed Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE)
• Design-Build Professional Certification from Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Alignment of design with validated budget targets
• Reduction in design-related RFIs and change orders
• Client satisfaction and repeat business
• Design quality and constructability outcomes