Senior Electronic Security Designer

SmithGroup; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

401(k)

Job summary

SmithGroup seeks a Senior Electronic Security Designer to lead physical security infrastructure design, budgeting, and client coordination. You will act as the main contact with vendors and project teams to ensure successful system implementation.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of consulting/design experience in electronic security and holds a relevant engineering degree. Expect hybrid work, travel, and opportunities for professional growth at SmithGroup.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or relevant field.
• 10+ years of consulting and design experience as an Electronic Security Designer.
• Credential in relevant field preferred (e.g., RSSD, CSTS, PSP, CPP, CPTED).
• Experience with structured cabling systems, network electronics, and audiovisual systems preferred; understanding of architectural design process and construction administration.
• High proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, BlueBeam, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong organization, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Initiative to contribute to process improvements and experience in marketing/business development.

Responsibilities

• Provide physical security infrastructure leadership including scheduling, budgeting, QA, client engagement, and defining design requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison between systems vendor, project team, and client for implementation success.
• Draw and prepare specifications and cost estimates for electronic security systems.
• Review drawings and submittals; prepare installation methods and components specifications.
• Coordinate layout and as‑built designs with internal/external teams.
• Work with vendors to negotiate bids and awards.
• Assist in marketing materials and client relationship development.
• Travel 5–10% domestically.

Skills

Security design

Project management

Client communication

Problem solving

Marketing/business development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

BlueBeam

Microsoft Office

Structured cabling

Job description

parental leave, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award‑winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.

SmithGroup is looking for a Senior Electronic Security Designer to join our team.

Work with us, you will:

• Provide physical security infrastructure leadership including scheduling, developing design budgets, quality control, adherence to client directives and project scope, performing site surveys and/or client engagement to develop design requirements.
• Serve an integral role in the systems implementation process, acting as the primary point of contact between the systems vendor, the project team, and the client to ensure a successful implementation.
• Draw and conduct specification documentation and cost estimates of new, existing or extended electronic security systems.
• Review, evaluate, and update drawings and product submittals, prepare technical specifications for installation methods and components.
• Coordinate physical infrastructure system layout and as‑built designs with internal and/or external partner teams.
• Work closely with systems vendors to negotiate contract bids and awards.
• Assist in preparation of marketing materials and presentations, cultivating active and potential client relationships.
• 5‑10% domestic travel may be required.

An ideal candidate has:

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or relevant field.
• 10+ years of consulting and design experience working as an Electronic Security Designer.
• A valid credential in relevant field preferred, including: Registered Communications Distribution Designer, Certified Technology Specialist, Physical Security Professional, Certified Protection Professional, CPTED.
• Experience with structured cabling systems, network electronics, and audiovisual systems preferred.An understanding of the architectural design process and construction administration.
• High proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, BlueBeam, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong organization, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and formal documentation.
• The initiative and ability to contribute to process improvements in addition to project work.
• Experience in marketing and business development.

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one‑on‑one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $114,000 to $143,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance‑based bonus each year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are 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, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

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