Design Manager

RTF Fire Protection; Sharonville (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ownership over design and install ops

Direct line to leadership

Competitive compensation and benefits

Job summary

RTF Fire Protection seeks a seasoned Design Manager to lead our sprinkler design function. This hybrid role combines leadership with hands-on design, owning the design on our largest projects and controlling material spend across the install division.

You will report to the Director of Operations and help scale the install business. Ideal candidates have extensive fire sprinkler design experience, strong leadership capabilities, and a drive to own both technical output and the associated costs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in fire protection sprinkler design, with significant experience on large commercial projects.
• NICET Level III or IV in Water-Based Systems Layout (or equivalent).
• Expert-level proficiency with fire sprinkler design and hydraulic calculation software (AutoCAD, Revit, HydraCAD, AutoSPRINK or similar).
• Deep working knowledge of NFPA 13/13R/13D and ability to interpret local codes.
• Prior experience leading or mentoring a design team.
• Experience with material purchasing and vendor negotiation in construction/contracting environments.
• Strong project management skills and ability to juggle multiple jobs at different stages.
• Excellent communication skills across field crews, customers, vendors, and AHJs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor sprinkler designers, set quality standards, manage turnaround.
• Review outputs and stamp designs for code compliance and constructability.
• Personally lead design on largest, most complex projects.
• Produce layouts, hydraulic calculations, and shop drawings per NFPA 13/13R/13D.
• Coordinate with AHJs, GCs, engineers and other trades to secure approvals.
• Manage design projects from award through installation handoff and keep schedules on track.
• Partner with field leadership to ensure designs are buildable and aligned with realities.
• Serve as design point of contact for customers on major jobs.

Skills

10+ years experience

Leadership

Team development

Code compliance

Vendor negotiation

Project management

Excellent communication

Education

NICET Level III/IV – Water-Based Systems Layout

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

HydraCAD

AutoSPRINK

Job description

We're looking for a seasoned Design Manager to lead our sprinkler design function. This is a hybrid leadership and hands‑on role: you'll manage and develop our design team, personally own the design of our largest and most technically demanding projects, and control material spend across the install division. You'll report directly to the Director of Operations and play a central role in how RTF scales its install business.

This is a fit for someone who has spent years in fire sprinkler design, is comfortable leading people, and wants ownership over both the technical output and the numbers behind it.

The Role

We're looking for a seasoned Design Manager to lead our sprinkler design function. This is a hybrid leadership and hands‑on role: you'll manage and develop our design team, personally own the design of our largest and most technically demanding projects, and control material spend across the install division. You'll report directly to the Director of Operations and play a central role in how RTF scales its install business.

This is a fit for someone who has spent years in fire sprinkler design, is comfortable leading people, and wants ownership over both the technical output and the numbers behind it.

What You’ll Do

Design Leadership

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of sprinkler designers, setting standards for quality, consistency, and turnaround
• Review team output and stamp/approve designs for code compliance and constructability
• Personally lead design on the largest and most complex projects (multi‑building, high‑hazard, specialized occupancies)
• Produce sprinkler layouts, hydraulic calculations, and detailed shop drawings in accordance with NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, and applicable local codes
• Coordinate with AHJs, GCs, engineers, and other trades to resolve design conflicts and secure approvals

Project Management

• Manage design projects from award through installation handoff, keeping schedules, submittals, and deliverables on track
• Partner with field and install leadership to ensure designs are buildable and aligned with field realities
• Serve as the design point of contact for customers and project stakeholders on major jobs

Material & Cost Control

• Own purchasing for the install division: source materials and negotiate pricing and terms with vendors and suppliers
• Manage the purchase order process and control material spend against project budgets and margin targets
• Track buyouts, flag overruns early, and drive cost efficiency without compromising quality or code compliance

What You Bring

• 10+ years in fire protection sprinkler design, with significant experience on large commercial projects
• NICET Level III or IV in Water-Based Systems Layout (or equivalent demonstrated expertise)
• Expert-level proficiency with fire sprinkler design and hydraulic calculation software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, HydraCAD, AutoSPRINK, or similar)
• Deep working knowledge of NFPA 13/13R/13D and the ability to interpret and apply local codes
• Prior experience leading or mentoring a design team
• Experience with material purchasing and vendor negotiation, ideally in a construction or contracting environment
• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple jobs at different stages
• Excellent communication skills for working across field crews, customers, vendors, and AHJs

Nice to Have

• Experience with design-build delivery
• Familiarity with construction accounting/ERP or purchase order systems
• P.E. or additional NICET certifications

Why RTF

• Established, growing company with a strong local reputation
• Real ownership and influence over how the design and install divisions operate
• Direct line to leadership — your work is seen and it matters
• [Compensation, benefits, PTO — add specifics]

RTF Fire Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer.