Design Manager - 100% Remote

Actalent; Newark (NJ); Remote; USD 76,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Newark, NJ is seeking a Design Manager to lead the creation and governance of building design templates for technologically advanced facilities. You will oversee cross-disciplinary design work, drive template standardization, and ensure designs meet IBC requirements while balancing cost and performance.

The role emphasizes collaboration with operations, engineering, and external consultants, with a fast-paced environment and remote-friendly setup for certain tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Masters in Architecture.
• 10+ years in architecture or technical design.
• IBC analysis and application in design.
• Strong architectural design for complex facilities.
• Experience producing construction docs for permitting.
• Strong PM skills coordinating with consultants.
• Able to communicate complex concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to create efficient building designs.
• Implement and maintain design standards and templates.
• Coordinate design standards with site plans and various disciplines.
• Align design with stakeholders across operations, design, and engineering.
• Participate in workshops to reduce costs and improve operations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve programming.
• Coordinate with third-party architects and engineers.
• Conduct design reviews for compliance with standards.
• Support projects from proposals through construction administration.
• Apply detailing and sequencing for buildable, sustainable designs.
• Use design to balance constraints, cost, and user experience.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder comms

Project management

IBC analysis

Bluebeam

BIM 360

CAD

Aviation planning

Design coordination

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor/Master in Architecture

Tools

Bluebeam

BIM 360

CAD

Job description

Job Title: Design Manager

Job Description

The Design Manager leads the implementation of building design templates and standards across multiple operations network building programs. This role focuses on developing and governing design criteria for technologically advanced facilities, ensuring they are efficient, economical, and aligned with future technologies and sustainable construction typologies. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings expansive project experience from master planning to energy facilities, and uses design as a solution to complex constraints rather than a simple response.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide a team that creates new, efficient, and economical building designs for various business segment programs.
• Implement and maintain building design standards and templates that govern technologically advanced facilities.
• Coordinate design standards with site plans, architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, low-voltage, fire protection, signage, and integration of storage and material handling equipment.
• Align design standards and building templates with internal stakeholders across operations, design, and engineering functions.
• Participate in workshops that drive alignment on key issues, design practices, new building designs, and initiatives focused on reducing construction and maintenance costs while enhancing associate experience and operational excellence.
• Collaborate and coordinate with a wide variety of internal operations, design, and engineering stakeholders to increase the efficiency of programming and design processes.
• Coordinate with third-party architects, engineers, and designers, as well as internal stakeholders responsible for creating building design programs and templates.
• Conduct technical design reviews of building design templates and site-specific designs to ensure adherence to established design standards.
• Model excellence in collaboration, communication, and stakeholder alignment throughout all phases of the project.
• Support project and building design programs as required, from proposals and pursuits through construction administration.
• Apply construction detailing, methodologies, and sequencing to ensure designs are buildable, sustainable, and aligned with future technologies.
• Use design as a strategic solution to constraints, balancing operational needs, cost efficiency, and user experience.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Architecture.
• 10+ years of experience in architecture or relevant technical design positions.
• Predominantly technical experience with International Building Code (IBC) analysis and application directly into design.
• Strong architectural design skills with a focus on technologically advanced and complex facilities.
• Extensive experience in producing complete construction documentation sets for permitting.
• Strong project management skills, including coordination with consultants from all disciplines and management of project schedules and costs.
• Proven ability to proactively dive into complicated design challenges and independently seek solutions without extensive guidance.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders who may not have prior knowledge of design and construction, translating technical concepts into clear, accessible language.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam software for document review and collaboration.
• Proficiency with BIM tools, including BIM 360, for modeling and design coordination.
• Proficiency with CAD software for detailed design and documentation.
• Experience in aviation and airport planning and design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working across a broad range of project typologies, including master planning, hospitality, and energy facilities.
• Background in working with private developers and technology-focused clients.
• Experience using design as a strategic solution to operational and site constraints.
• Knowledge of sustainable construction typologies and future-focused building technologies.
• Experience with construction detailing, methodologies, and sequencing from design through construction administration.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with third-party architects, engineers, and designers.
• Strong collaboration skills with internal operations, design, and engineering teams.
• Familiarity with aviation planning and airport planning tools and processes.
• Ability to support projects from early proposals and pursuits through completion and construction administration.
• Commitment to operational excellence and enhancing associate experience through thoughtful building design.

Work Environment

The Design Manager works closely with engineers, architects, and designers in a collaborative, fast-paced environment focused on developing and refining building designs for complex, technologically advanced facilities. The role involves frequent coordination with internal stakeholders and external consultants, extensive use of design and construction technologies such as Bluebeam, BIM (including BIM 360), and CAD, and participation in workshops and design reviews. The work setting emphasizes innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, aligning building design solutions with long-term business vision and customer-centric values.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Newark, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.