Civil Design Manager - Site Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Civil Design Manager - Site Design

Company: Olsson

Location: Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Tulsa, OK; Texas - Remote; Oklahoma - Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Site Design & Civil Engineering Operations

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Available

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on leading and managing civil site design projects, emphasizing quality assurance, senior-level design review, and technical coordination across multidisciplinary teams.

• The position requires a strong understanding of project management principles for medium-sized projects, with a focus on driving efficiency and delivering high-quality project deliverables.

• Candidates will act as a key consultative resource for clients, providing expertise in site development and resolving technical project challenges.

• Responsibilities include supervising and mentoring junior staff, ensuring adherence to design standards, and fostering a collaborative environment for project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Civil Design Manager - Site Design" suggests a blend of technical design leadership and management responsibilities within the site development engineering domain. The emphasis on "quality assurance/quality control," "senior level design review," and "attending client meetings" indicates a critical role in ensuring project quality and client satisfaction, aligning with typical Revenue Operations and GTM support functions that drive operational excellence and client retention. The inclusion of "flexible work options, including remote and hybrid opportunities" points to a modern operational approach to talent management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Project Leadership & Technical Oversight: Direct and manage project staff on technical aspects, ensuring seamless coordination with all involved disciplines (e.g., structural, environmental, transportation).

• Quality Assurance & Control: Plan, implement, and oversee the quality review process for all project deliverables, ensuring compliance with industry standards and client specifications.

• Client Engagement & Consultation: Act as a primary consultative resource for clients, providing expert advice for project resolution and fostering strong client relationships.

• Design Expertise & Mentorship: Strengthen and develop subject matter expertise in specific civil site design areas, and supervise/review the work of less experienced staff to promote skill development and quality output.

• Efficiency & Process Improvement: Promote efficiencies in producing high-quality work through streamlined processes and the effective utilization of design tools and methodologies.

• Project Study Support: Assist in the preparation of project studies by completing drawings, sketching preliminary designs, or acquiring necessary data to support project feasibility and planning.

• Site Visit Coordination: Travel to job sites to observe construction progress, conduct site assessments, and address any on-site technical challenges, working in various terrain and weather conditions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical leadership, project oversight, and client-facing duties. This is characteristic of roles that bridge technical execution with operational strategy, ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently and to a high standard. The focus on "promoting efficiencies" and "senior-level design review" directly relates to operational excellence and risk mitigation, key concerns for GTM and RevOps functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of comprehensive experience in Civil Design, specifically focused on site development and land development projects.

Required Skills:

• Civil Site Design Expertise: Deep understanding of site development principles, including grading, drainage, utilities, and stormwater management.

• CAD Software Proficiency: Extensive experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D, demonstrating advanced capabilities in design, drafting, and modeling.

• Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC): Strong knowledge and practical application of QA/QC processes for engineering design deliverables.

• Technical Leadership & Review: Ability to provide senior-level design review, identify technical issues, and guide project teams towards effective solutions.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for client meetings, team coordination, and report preparation.

• Team Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively and work harmoniously within a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Project Management Fundamentals: Skills in planning, organizing, and overseeing project execution.

Preferred Skills:

• Stormwater Management Design: Specialized knowledge in designing and implementing effective stormwater management systems.

• Land Development Regulations: Familiarity with local and regional land development codes and permitting processes.

• Client Relationship Management: Experience in building and maintaining strong, long-term client relationships.

• Mentorship & Staff Development: Experience in guiding and developing junior engineering and design staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strong technical foundation in civil site design coupled with essential management and soft skills. The specific mention of "AutoCAD Civil 3D" and "10 years of experience" are critical ATS keywords. The "Project Management skills for medium-sized projects" indicates a need for operational efficiency and resource allocation capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Site Development Projects: Showcase a portfolio of diverse site development projects, detailing your role, design contributions, and project outcomes.

• Process Optimization Examples: Include case studies demonstrating how you implemented process improvements or QA/QC measures to enhance design quality or project efficiency.

• Technical Review Examples: Present examples of design reviews you have conducted, highlighting your ability to identify potential issues and provide constructive feedback for design enhancement.

• Client Interaction Examples: Briefly describe instances where you successfully consulted with clients to resolve technical challenges or achieve project objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Enhancement: Evidence of designing or optimizing design workflows to improve team productivity and ensure consistent quality.

• QA/QC Protocol Implementation: Examples of implementing and managing QA/QC protocols within design projects.

• Performance Metrics: Ability to articulate how project success was measured and what key performance indicators (KPIs) were tracked for design deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role that involves leadership and quality assurance, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles, process management, and problem-solving is crucial. This section is tailored to highlight how a candidate's past work exemplifies operational excellence and technical proficiency in civil site design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Retirement Savings: Competitive 401(k) match to support long-term financial planning.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Health, vision, and dental insurance plans for employees and their families.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO) for rest, rejuvenation, and personal needs.

• Performance-Based Rewards: Opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards individual and company performance.

• Wellness Initiatives: Engagement in a wellness program designed to promote balanced lifestyles and employee well-being.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Possibility for flexible work schedules, including remote and hybrid options, to support work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours are typically 40 hours per week. The company offers flexibility, allowing for hybrid or remote work arrangements, which can accommodate varying daily schedules and operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for Civil Design Manager roles in major Texas and Oklahoma cities, considering the experience level and managerial duties. The benefits listed are directly pulled from the provided company description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering and Design Services, focusing on civil site development, land development, infrastructure, and environmental solutions.

Company Size: Olsson is a significant engineering firm, indicated by its broad range of services and multiple office locations, suggesting a company size that allows for structured teams and career development paths.

Founded: 1956. With a history dating back to 1956, Olsson has established a long-standing reputation and deep expertise in the engineering and design sector.

Team Structure:

• Site Design Group: This role is part of the Site Design group, which specializes in multidisciplinary design services for various land development projects.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with other engineering disciplines (e.g., structural, environmental, transportation) and project stakeholders.

• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a "Manager" title typically implies reporting to a higher-level director or principal engineer, with direct supervision of junior designers and drafters.

Methodology:

• Results-Oriented: Olsson emphasizes being "focused on results" for its people, clients, and the company.

• People-Centric: The company values its employees, fostering an environment that encourages growth, creativity, and talent development.

• Quality-Focused: A commitment to engineering and designing solutions that "improve the world around us" underscores a dedication to high-quality, impactful work.

Company Website: https://www.olsson.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights a culture that values employees, results, and impactful work. This implies an operational environment focused on efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction, which is crucial for candidates in operations-focused roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the site design discipline, bridging technical expertise with management responsibilities. It's a step beyond individual contributor roles, requiring leadership in quality assurance, design review, and staff supervision.

Reporting Structure: The Civil Design Manager likely reports to a Director of Site Design or a Principal Engineer. They will directly supervise a team of Civil Designers and Drafters, coordinating with project managers and other discipline leads.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant as it directly influences project quality, client satisfaction, and team efficiency. By ensuring robust design reviews and quality control, the manager mitigates risks, reduces rework, and contributes to the company's reputation for delivering high-quality engineering solutions. This operational excellence supports the firm's overall business objectives and client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into higher management roles such as Director of Site Design, Principal Engineer, or Business Unit Leader.

• Technical Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in niche areas of civil site design (e.g., advanced stormwater, sustainable design) and become a recognized subject matter expert.

• Business Development: Involvement in client interactions and proposal development can lead to opportunities in business development and client relationship management.

• Mentorship & Training: Developing skills in mentoring junior staff and contributing to internal training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a key leadership opportunity within the civil engineering operations, offering a clear path for career progression and skill development in both technical and managerial domains.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Olsson offers flexible work arrangements, including hybrid and remote options, alongside traditional office-based work. This suggests a modern, adaptable work environment.

Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates in Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Tulsa, OK, and also offers remote opportunities within Texas and Oklahoma. This provides broad geographic flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The company culture encourages collaboration, implying that office environments will feature spaces conducive to teamwork, design reviews, and cross-disciplinary discussions.

• Technology Integration: As an engineering firm, access to advanced CAD software, project management tools, and communication platforms is expected.

• Field Integration: The role requires travel to construction sites, integrating office-based design work with real-world project execution and site visits.

Work Schedule:

• While standard full-time hours (40 hours/week) are expected, the availability of hybrid and remote work offers flexibility in structuring the workday to balance project demands with personal life. This adaptability is crucial for operations roles that may require focused, uninterrupted work periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on flexible work arrangements and interdisciplinary collaboration indicates a dynamic and supportive work environment, ideal for operations professionals who value adaptability and teamwork.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and qualifications to assess basic requirements and experience.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on your civil design experience, proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D, and understanding of site development principles. Be prepared to discuss specific design challenges you've overcome.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation of your work, focusing on key site development projects, your role, and design/QA/QC contributions. Highlight process improvements or efficiency gains.

• Managerial/Team Interview: Assessment of your leadership style, team management capabilities, client interaction skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your site design experience, leadership, and QA/QC contributions.

• Detail Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific responsibilities, design decisions, and contributions to project success.

• Highlight Process & QA/QC: Emphasize any process improvements you implemented, quality control measures you oversaw, and how these positively impacted project outcomes (e.g., reduced errors, improved efficiency).

• Quantify Achievements: Use data and metrics where possible to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., project timelines met, budget adherence, efficiency gains).

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to delve into the technical details of your designs and problem-solving approaches.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for scenario-based questions related to managing technical teams, resolving design conflicts, addressing client concerns, and ensuring design quality under pressure. Practice articulating your approach to quality assurance and process optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on how to best present their experience in a way that aligns with the operational and technical demands of a Civil Design Manager role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• AutoCAD Civil 3D: Essential for all civil design, grading, earthwork calculations, utility design, and stormwater modeling. Proficiency at an advanced level is expected.

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools for task management, scheduling, and resource allocation (e.g., MS Project, Primavera P6, or similar).

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for communication and team coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Reporting Tools: Ability to generate and interpret reports on project progress, team performance, and quality metrics.

• Data Analysis: Basic skills in analyzing project data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Basics: Understanding how project management and client interactions tie into customer relationship management, even if not directly managing a CRM system.

• Workflow Automation: Familiarity with concepts of automating repetitive design tasks or administrative processes to improve efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is centered around industry-standard CAD software and project management tools, crucial for operational efficiency in engineering design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Responsiveness & Transparency: Upholding Olsson's promise to be responsive and transparent in all dealings with team members and clients.

• Focus on Results: A commitment to delivering successful project outcomes and achieving company objectives through effective operations.

• People-Centricity: Valuing team members, fostering their growth, and encouraging the creative application of their talents.

• Impactful Work: Engaging in projects that have a positive and lasting impact on communities and the environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Actively engaging with and coordinating with engineers from other disciplines to ensure cohesive project development.

• Mentorship & Support: Providing guidance and support to junior staff, fostering a learning environment.

• Client Partnership: Working collaboratively with clients to understand their needs and deliver tailored solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize operational principles like responsiveness, results-orientation, and a people-centric approach, which are highly relevant to candidates seeking roles in operations and management.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Technical Oversight with Management: Effectively managing time between detailed design reviews, staff supervision, and client meetings.

• Ensuring Consistent Quality Across Remote/Hybrid Teams: Maintaining high standards of design quality and QA/QC when team members may be working from different locations.

• Resolving Complex Technical Issues: Addressing and resolving intricate design challenges that may arise during project development or construction.

• Adapting to Evolving Design Technologies: Staying current with advancements in CAD software, BIM, and other design technologies to maintain efficiency and competitive advantage.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Opportunities for specialized training in areas like advanced stormwater management, sustainable site design, or specific software modules.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to internal or external programs focused on enhancing management, communication, and leadership skills.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending industry events and pursuing relevant professional certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges and frames them as opportunities for professional growth, a common theme in operations and management roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Leadership & Quality: "Describe a time you implemented a QA/QC process that significantly improved design quality or reduced errors. What was your approach?"

• Client Management: "How do you handle difficult client conversations or disagreements regarding design decisions? Provide an example."

• Team Development: "How do you mentor junior designers and ensure their professional growth while maintaining project timelines?"

• Process Improvement: "What strategies do you employ to drive efficiency in the civil design process for your team?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see your role contributing to Olsson's mission of 'improving the world around us'?"

• "Describe your ideal team collaboration environment and how you foster it."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by key responsibilities (e.g., Design Leadership, QA/QC, Client Consultation).

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your approach, the solutions implemented, and the measurable results.

• Focus on Operations: Emphasize how your actions led to improved efficiency, quality, or client satisfaction. Use metrics where possible.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your design choices, problem-solving methods, and leadership philosophy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This preparation guide focuses on questions that assess leadership, operational efficiency, technical acumen, and cultural fit, crucial for a managerial role in engineering operations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Civil Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Olsson careers portal via the provided link.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 10+ years of direct civil site design experience, specific project management achievements, and proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that showcases your most impactful site development projects, emphasizing your leadership in design review, QA/QC implementation, and client consultation. Prepare to discuss specific process improvements you’ve driven.

• Interview Practice: Rehearse answers to common interview questions related to technical skills, project management, leadership, and client relations. Practice articulating your approach to quality assurance and team management.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Olsson's projects, values, and culture. Understand their approach to engineering and client service to demonstrate your alignment with the company's mission.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.