VDC/BIM Manager (Plumbing)

Talent Edge Recruiting; California; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Edge Recruiting is seeking a VDC/BIM Manager to lead a 10–20 person BIM team for complex commercial and healthcare projects in Northern California and Nevada. The role combines design coordination, field collaboration, and vendor management in a hybrid office-based setting near Sacramento.

You will oversee constructability reviews, model quality, and fabrication detailing while aligning with project management to meet schedules and budgets.

Qualifications

• 8+ years BIM/VDC experience in construction.
• 3+ years leadership managing BIM teams.
• Background in mechanical or plumbing construction.
• Proficiency in Revit and Navisworks Manage.
• Experience with ACC, Bluebeam, and Microsoft 365.
• Ability to manage people and deliverables without hands-on modeling.
• Strong project scheduling and resource management.
• Willingness to conduct regular job-site visits and travel to Sacramento area.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of 10–20 BIM modelers, coordinators, and technicians.
• Oversee workload, scheduling, and deadlines across multiple projects.
• Ensure accuracy and timely BIM/VDC outputs, including model audits and fabrication-ready deliverables.
• Direct constructability reviews and clash detection for multi-trade MEP coordination.
• Oversee spool sheets, hanger detailing, and prefabrication planning.
• Manage external modeling vendors to match internal quality and schedule.
• Conduct job-site walks 2–3 times per month to verify field conditions.
• Monitor BIM department budgets and labor costs; participate in project reviews.
• Collaborate with Lead Detailing Manager and Software/Technology Manager on workflows.
• Provide input on BIM standards and process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Degree in Construction Management or BIM Technology or Engineering

Tools

Revit

Navisworks Manage

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Bluebeam

Office 365

Revizto

Dynamo

Trimble Layout

Power BI

Reality capture software

Job description

A well-established, family-owned plumbing and mechanical contractor with more than 85 years of industry experience is seeking a VDC/BIM Manager to lead its virtual design and construction team. The company specializes in complex commercial, healthcare, hospitality, educational, government, and industrial projects throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada. This is a hybrid position, with a strong preference for candidates based near Sacramento who can work in the office 2–3 days per week and visit active job sites approximately 2–3 times per month. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of approximately 10–20 BIM modelers, coordinators, VDC specialists, fabrication detailers, and layout technicians, providing coaching, development, and accountability.
• Oversee departmental workload, resource allocation, project scheduling, and deadline management across multiple active construction projects.
• Maintain responsibility for the accuracy, quality, and timely delivery of all BIM/VDC outputs, including model audits, quality control reviews, and fabrication- and installation-ready deliverables.
• Direct constructability reviews, clash detection, and multi-trade MEP coordination to identify and resolve conflicts before they affect field installation.
• Oversee spool sheet production, hanger detailing, and prefabrication planning in collaboration with the fabrication shop and project teams.
• Manage external modeling vendors and third-party resources when project volume exceeds internal capacity, ensuring consistent quality and schedule adherence.
• Conduct job-site walks 2–3 times per month to verify field conditions, confirm alignment between BIM models and actual installation, and communicate necessary adjustments to the modeling team.
• Monitor departmental budgets and BIM labor costs, participate in monthly project reviews, and coordinate resource needs with project management leadership.
• Collaborate daily with the Lead Detailing Manager and Software/Technology Manager to maintain effective workflows, consistent standards, and alignment between people, processes, and technology.
• Provide input on BIM standards, software evaluation, and process improvements while partnering with the Software/Technology Manager, who owns the technology and systems function.
• Maintain effective communication with general contractors, owners, design teams, and internal stakeholders to support project coordination and successful execution.
• Help strengthen and scale the VDC/BIM department as project volume grows, with the potential to advance into a Director-level leadership position.

Requirements

• 8+ years of BIM/VDC experience within the construction industry.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience managing and developing BIM modelers, coordinators, detailers, or similar technical teams.
• Background in mechanical or plumbing construction, either with a specialty contractor or through a general contractor/construction management firm overseeing MEP coordination.
• Strong understanding of constructability, clash detection, prefabrication, spool sheets, fabrication detailing, and how BIM models translate into field installation.
• Proficiency in Revit and Navisworks Manage.
• Experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365; final software requirements are being confirmed.
• Demonstrated ability to manage people, review deliverables, establish accountability, and maintain quality without needing to perform modeling personally.
• Strong project scheduling, workload forecasting, resource management, and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate internal teams and external vendors.
• Ability and willingness to conduct regular job-site visits and collaborate directly with field personnel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across project teams, management, contractors, and design professionals.
• Degree in Construction Management, BIM Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent hands-on or field-developed experience will be considered.
• Experience with Revizto, Dynamo, Trimble Layout Systems, Power BI, or reality capture software is a plus.
• Experience building or scaling a VDC department, managing third-party modeling firms, working in a union environment, or coordinating across multiple offices is preferred.
• Must be able to work a hybrid schedule with regular in-person attendance in the Sacramento area; candidates based in San Mateo or Reno/Sparks may also be considered if they can reliably commute to Sacramento.
• Must demonstrate a team‑first, accountable, and collaborative leadership style and an interest in developing people rather than remaining focused on hands‑on modeling.