Senior Design Manager – Arlington, VA

Black & White Engineering; Arlington, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & White Engineering is seeking a Senior Design Manager to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and drive complex data center projects. You will lead design delivery, manage schedules, and maintain rigorous governance and safety standards.

You will work with regional leadership and global experts to ensure high-quality designs, effective client communication, and successful project outcomes. Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or related discipline.
• 5+ years leading multidisciplinary design teams.
• Experience on data center or mission-critical projects is an advantage.
• Professional registration or chartership progress.
• Familiar with RIBA Stages 0-5 or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate multidisciplinary design delivery and drive on-time completion.
• Manage design process, resources, scope, and quality across teams.
• Lead structured client meetings and communicate decisions clearly.
• Promote safety, governance, and proactive risk management.
• Coordinate with partners and regional/global teams to align design packages.

Skills

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Project governance

Client communication

Risk, change, cost, schedule mgmt

Coordination across geographies

MEP/CSA knowledge for data centers

Meetings facilitation

Health and safety risk management

US work eligibility

Education

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

Professional registration / chartership

RIBA Stages 0-5 or equivalent knowledge

Job description

Are you an experienced design manager ready to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and drive the successful delivery of complex data center and mission-critical projects ? Then this role is for you.

As Senior Design Manager, you will manage the design process and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, specialist consultants, and design partners to deliver high-quality projects. Working with support and guidance from the Regional Lead Design Manager, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy, keep teams aligned, maintain clear project records, and provide an excellent service to our clients.

What’s in it for you?

Multidisciplinary design leadership

You will coordinate design delivery across internal technical experts, external consultants, and design partners. You will manage resources, scope, productivity, and quality to keep multiple workstreams aligned and ensure complete, coordinated design packages are delivered on time.

Project controls and governance

You will develop, manage, and monitor project requirements using the Black & White Design Management Way of Working. You will create and maintain design schedules, coordinate milestones, and proactively manage risk, change, cost, schedule, quality, and performance. You will also support commercial and risk reviews to ensure the design scope remains aligned with contractual commitments.

Client trust and clear communication

You will serve as a trusted client point of contact, lead structured internal and client meetings, and communicate decisions, actions, and project status with clarity and accuracy. By building strong client relationships and identifying new opportunities, you will also contribute to the company’s continued growth.

Quality, safety, and accountability

You will apply project governance, compliance, and quality controls consistently across teams. You will lead and coordinate health and safety risk management in line with client expectations, applicable local regulations, Black & White policies, and our quality management system, while promoting a proactive culture of safety and accountability.

Autonomy with global support

You will have the scope to lead day-to-day design management activities while drawing on guidance from the Regional Lead Design Manager and expertise across our global business. The role offers the opportunity to strengthen your project organization, communication, and quality-delivery capabilities on complex projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a closely related technical discipline.
• +5 years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams delivering complex design projects.
• High level, multidiscipline awareness of MEP systems and CSA; data center or mission critical project experience is an advantage.
• Professional registration, chartership, or active progress toward an appropriate professional credential.
• Experience across RIBA Stages 0-5 or an equivalent project design and delivery framework.
• Proven experience coordinating internal and external teams across multiple geographies.
• Strong understanding of project governance, design scope, risk, change, cost, schedule, quality, and performance management.
• Ability to lead structured meetings and communicate concisely, accurately, and effectively with clients and project teams.
• Working knowledge of applicable US health and safety requirements and experience coordinating project health and safety risk management.
• Strong understanding of project governance.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

You will be joining a community that focuses on learning and development through regular knowledge sharing sessions, investment in accredited professional courses or educational programmes. you can set the pace for your professional development, and whatever path you choose, you will receive relevant support.

About Black & White Engineering

Black & White Engineering is a multi-award-winning engineering consultancy with more than 1,300 employees across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America.

We specialise in the full spectrum of engineering design consultancy for the data centre sector, including Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP), Civil & Structural, Design Management, Sustainability, BIM, Power Systems and other infrastructure-related services.

Our engineering approach is grounded in practicality, technical excellence and operational efficiency. With rapid growth across regions, many colleagues have progressed from engineering roles into leadership positions — your future development is supported and recognised.

Black & White Engineering is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local/state/federal law. We comply with the ADA and provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request an accommodation, [e-mail] .

This job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will nature of employment with Black & White Engineering.