Federal Design Project Manager

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase

PPTO

Paid holidays

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. in Chicago, IL seeks a Design Project Manager to lead multi-discipline design teams from kickoff through construction on federal projects for DoD clients.

You will serve as the primary client contact, develop project scope and budgets, guide fee negotiations, and ensure delivery within time and budget while upholding Jacobs Quality Program.

This role offers a hybrid work policy, professional registration preferred, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture.
• Experience as a client facing Design Project Manager managing multiple disciplines.
• PMI Certification will be considered or Professional Registration preferred.
• Demonstrated design and project management experience within Federal and/or DoD markets.
• Experience leading design teams in Design-Build contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead design projects with multi-discipline teams from design through construction.
• Primary client contact from start to finish.
• Develop project scope and fees and lead fee negotiations.
• Coordinate communication plans and conduct status reviews with stakeholders.
• Manage project financials, schedules, and staffing.
• Uphold Jacobs Quality Program.

Skills

Client facing

Project management

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.

We’re seeking a Design Project Manager to be based in Chicago, IL. As a member of our 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 DoD clients, Federal Civilian, and various Defense Contractors with Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build delivery methods.

You’ll lead projects by effective, skilled project management techniques to enhance the design solutions, leverage project delivering 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.

Design your career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you and your teams can evolve, grow, and succeed.

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: 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.

At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.

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Here’s what you'll need

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

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
• 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 $120,000.00 to $187,225.00. 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 23, 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.