Design Project Manager – Defense Contractors

Jacobs; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 111,500 - 177,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Performance bonuses and stock options

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Project Manager in St. Louis or Kansas City, MO, to oversee high-impact projects for Defense Contractors, including design and construction management. You’ll coordinate multi-discipline teams and ensure projects meet client expectations while adhering to budgets and schedules.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture, significant project management experience, and must be a US Citizen. At Jacobs, we offer competitive benefits and a hybrid working policy to support collaborative efforts.

Qualifications

• Experience managing high-impact complex projects in the Federal market.
• Client-facing experience in project management.
• US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting timelines and budgets.
• Primary point of contact with the client throughout the project.
• Develop project proposal fees and scope by coordination with team leaders.
• Create communication plans for stakeholders, conducting status meetings.
• Monitor financial project metrics, schedules, and staffing requirements.
• Ensure quality of project documents aligns with Jacobs Quality Program.

Skills

Project management

Client relations

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Architecture

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

At Jacobs, we challenge what is currently accepted, so we can shape innovative and lasting solutions for tomorrow. If you’re interested in a long and rewarding career working with the industry’s best and most innovative solution leaders, then Jacobs is where you belong. In the Federal Solutions Building & Infrastructure group, we are comprised of architects, planners, engineers, as well as endless specialty services to support our clients and projects.

Do you have a passion and experience for managing high‑impact complex projects in the Federal market with Defense Industry Clients? We are seeking a Project Manager to lead Defense Contractor projects such as production facilities for aircraft, ships, and/or rocket motors, and campus buildouts. As a member of the team, you will lead design projects consisting of multi‑discipline teams of engineers and architects from design kick‑off through construction. You will primarily support federal projects for Defense Contractors or Department of Defense and Federal Civilian clients using Design‑Bid‑Build, Design‑Build, or other Lean Design‑Build delivery methods. Desired base office locations to serve our clients’ needs are St. Louis, MO, or Kansas City, MO. You’ll lead projects by effective, skilled project management techniques to enhance the design solutions, leverage project delivery costs, and add value to the business. You’ll play an integral role in forming long‑term client relationships, engaging team members on projects, and collaborating with talented resources throughout Jacobs.

Responsibilities include

• Successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously, completed on time, within project and construction budgets and in accordance with agreed scope.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with the client from beginning to end.
• Develop the project proposal fees and scope by coordination with discipline directors and design leads for specific budget and scope definition to then lead in fee negotiations with the client.
• Facilitate the creation of communication plans, ensuring that appropriate information is exchanged among key stakeholders, and conduct status review meetings among project team members and clients through project execution.
• Determine, monitor and manage the financial project metrics, schedules and staffing requirements for each project.
• Guide the overall development and quality of the project documents and adherence with Jacobs Quality Program.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture
• Experience as a client facing Design Project Manager managing multiple disciplines
• US Citizenship

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Professional Registration (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) is preferred. Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification will be considered
• Demonstrated design and project management experience within Federal and/or DOD markets
• Project management and project execution experience with Defense Industrial Clients
• Experience leading design teams in Design‑Build contracts

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 $111,500.00 to $177,700.00. 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 June 12, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

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.