Civil Design Manager - Site Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Civil Design Manager - Site Design

Company: Olsson

Location: Lincoln, NE / Omaha, NE

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering / Site Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-09-05

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead comprehensive quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) initiatives for site design projects, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and client specifications.

• Provide senior-level design review and technical guidance to project teams, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in civil engineering and site development.

• Serve as a primary consultative resource for clients, effectively resolving project challenges and strengthening client relationships through expert advice and solutions.

• Drive operational efficiencies within the design team by promoting best practices in workflow management, CAD software utilization, and project delivery.

• Direct and manage project staff, ensuring effective coordination across all involved disciplines and timely execution of project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Civil Design Manager implies a critical function in ensuring the technical integrity and quality of site design projects. This role requires not only strong technical acumen in civil engineering and CAD but also robust leadership and client-facing capabilities. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for effective remote collaboration tools and practices, alongside on-site presence for key meetings and site visits.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Direct and manage project staff, ensuring seamless coordination across all involved disciplines, including surveying, architectural, and environmental teams.

• Plan, implement, and oversee rigorous quality review processes for all project deliverables, from conceptual design to construction documentation, to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Act as a key consultative resource for clients, proactively identifying and resolving technical project challenges and providing expert recommendations for optimal outcomes.

• Continuously strengthen and develop subject matter expertise in specialized design areas, such as stormwater management, grading, utility design, and transportation infrastructure.

• Provide senior-level design review for diverse projects, serving as a go-to resource for technical problem-solving and mentoring less experienced engineers and designers.

• Assist in the preparation of comprehensive project studies by gathering data, creating preliminary drawings, and conducting feasibility analyses.

• Promote and implement efficiencies in design workflows and processes to enhance the production of high-quality, cost-effective work.

• Supervise, mentor, and review the assignments of less experienced staff, fostering their professional development and technical skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical leadership, quality management, client engagement, and staff supervision. The emphasis on "promoting efficiencies" and "supervising and reviewing assignments" indicates a need for strong process-oriented thinking and people management skills, crucial for a manager role within an operations-focused engineering firm.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate Degree in Drafting

Experience: 10 years of experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D software and demonstrated Project Management skills for medium-sized projects.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D, with extensive experience in its application for site design, grading, utility design, and transportation projects.

• Proven project management capabilities, including scope definition, resource allocation, schedule management, and budget oversight for medium-sized civil engineering projects.

• Strong understanding of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) principles and methodologies in a design and engineering context.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, project teams, and senior leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment and contribute to a positive team dynamic.

• Experience in technical review and providing constructive feedback on design documents.

• Familiarity with land development processes and regulatory requirements. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other relevant civil engineering design software (e.g., StormCAD, HEC-RAS, Bentley products).

• Knowledge of sustainable design principles and practices.

• Experience in client relationship management and business development support.

• Certification in Project Management (e.g., PMP) or relevant engineering certifications.

• Familiarity with construction methods and materials relevant to site development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While an Associate Degree is listed, the 10 years of specific CAD experience and project management skills suggest that practical experience and technical proficiency are highly valued. The preferred skills indicate a desire for a candidate who can grow with the company and take on more complex projects or responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of site design projects managed, demonstrating comprehensive project lifecycle oversight from concept to completion.

• Present detailed case studies of projects where QA/QC processes were implemented, highlighting the impact on deliverable quality and error reduction.

• Include documentation of workflows and processes developed or optimized for design teams, emphasizing efficiency gains and standardization.

• Provide examples of client interactions, problem-solving scenarios, and successful resolution of technical challenges in a consultative capacity.

• Demonstrate proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D through visual examples of complex grading, utility layouts, and site plans. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of developing or refining design checklists, review templates, and QA/QC protocols.

• Examples of project plans or methodologies used for managing project staff and interdisciplinary coordination.

• Documentation of client communication strategies and issue resolution frameworks.

• Workflow diagrams illustrating optimized design processes, particularly those involving CAD software and cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Civil Design Manager role, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of skills and leadership. The focus should be on showcasing not just technical output but also the management, quality, and client-facing aspects of their experience, highlighting process improvements and measurable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $130,000 annually (Estimated)

Benefits:

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

• Tailored career development paths and opportunities for professional growth.

• Possibility of flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance.

• Meaningful work that has a positive impact on communities.

• Comprehensive wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles.

• Traditional benefits package including health care, vision insurance, and dental insurance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) for rest and rejuvenation.

• Opportunity to participate in a performance-based bonus system.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for overtime based on project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on industry benchmarks for Civil Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in similar roles and locations (Lincoln/Omaha, NE). Factors influencing this range include the specific scope of responsibilities, company size, and the demand for specialized civil design expertise. The benefits package is robust, emphasizing long-term employee well-being and professional advancement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering and Design Services, specializing in civil engineering, land development, and infrastructure. Olsson operates within a sector driven by project execution, technical expertise, and client satisfaction.

Company Size: Olsson is a significant player in the engineering consulting space, likely employing hundreds to thousands of professionals across multiple locations. This size offers stability, diverse project opportunities, and a structured career path.

Founded: 1956. With a long history, Olsson has established a strong reputation and deep expertise, suggesting a stable and experienced workforce, with established processes and a culture that values longevity and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• The Civil Design team is likely composed of civil engineers, designers, drafters, and potentially project engineers, working collaboratively on a variety of land development projects.

• This role reports to a senior engineering leader (e.g., Director of Engineering, Principal Engineer) and supervises a team of designers and junior engineers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close work with surveyors, architects, environmental specialists, and construction teams. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are critical for informed design decisions, feasibility studies, and problem-solving.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are key to ensuring efficient project delivery and high-quality outputs.

• Automation and efficiency practices are encouraged to streamline design processes and leverage technology, especially CAD software.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Olsson's emphasis on being "people-centric" and engineering solutions that "improve the world" suggests a culture that values employee growth, community impact, and high-quality technical work. The long company history points to established processes and a culture that supports mentorship and professional development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-to-senior level management position within the operations of an engineering firm. It bridges the gap between technical design execution and project leadership, with a strong focus on quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction. The role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in civil site design and proven leadership skills.

Reporting Structure: The Civil Design Manager likely reports to a higher-level engineering director or principal, with direct reports including junior engineers and drafters. This structure indicates a clear hierarchy with opportunities for mentorship and career progression upwards within the engineering leadership track.

Operations Impact: The Civil Design Manager directly impacts the firm's operational success by ensuring the quality and efficiency of design deliverables, which is crucial for client retention, project profitability, and the firm's reputation. Effective management of design processes minimizes costly errors and rework during construction, directly contributing to project success and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to lead larger, more complex multidisciplinary projects, taking on greater budgetary and client management responsibilities.

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of civil engineering (e.g., stormwater, transportation, urban planning) and become a recognized subject matter expert within the firm and industry.

• Leadership Development: Progress into senior leadership roles such as Principal Engineer, Director of Engineering, or even regional management, with expanded strategic and business development responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a key operational leader within the engineering discipline. Growth opportunities are clearly defined, focusing on increasing scope, technical depth, and leadership potential, aligning with typical career progression in engineering consulting firms.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a modern office environment that balances collaborative in-office work with remote flexibility. Offices are likely equipped with standard professional amenities.

Office Location(s): Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE. These are significant metropolitan areas in Nebraska, offering access to a strong talent pool and diverse project opportunities. The presence in two major cities provides a broader reach for the company's services.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to be collaborative, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated workspaces that facilitate team interaction and knowledge sharing.

• Access to essential operations tools and technology, including high-performance workstations for CAD software, reliable network infrastructure, and communication platforms, is standard.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with project teams, senior management, and potentially clients during in-office days are common.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, but flexibility may be offered. Given the nature of design and construction projects, there might be times requiring extended hours to meet deadlines or address urgent site issues. The hybrid model aims to balance this with personal flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work arrangement is a key aspect, indicating an expectation for professionals to manage their time effectively between remote work and in-office collaboration, crucial for operational efficiency and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application materials to assess qualifications against the core requirements, focusing on your drafting degree, AutoCAD Civil 3D experience, and project management history.

• Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve a deep dive into your technical expertise in civil design, QA/QC processes, and your approach to managing technical staff. Expect questions about specific design challenges you've overcome.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will be asked to present a selection of your best work, highlighting key site design projects, your role in their management, and any process improvements you implemented. Focus on demonstrating your leadership and problem-solving skills.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Questions will assess your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and align with Olsson's company values (responsive, transparent, results-focused, people-centric).

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit, long-term career aspirations, and final alignment with the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Project Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., cost savings, efficiency gains, quality improvements).

• Showcase QA/QC Processes: Detail how you've implemented or improved QA/QC procedures, using examples to demonstrate their effectiveness in reducing errors and ensuring compliance.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Use visuals (drawings, renderings, site plans) to showcase your expertise in AutoCAD Civil 3D and complex site design elements.

• Emphasize Management & Collaboration: Include examples of how you've led teams, managed stakeholders, and resolved conflicts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss hypothetical project scenarios, focusing on how you would approach design challenges, manage a team under pressure, or resolve client disputes.

• Practice articulating your project management methodology and your approach to quality assurance and process optimization.

• Have specific examples ready to illustrate your communication skills and ability to foster a collaborative team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical demonstration of skills through a portfolio, alongside behavioral and technical assessments. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process-driven approach to design management and quality assurance.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• AutoCAD Civil 3D: This is a mandatory requirement. Proficiency will be assessed through portfolio review and technical interview questions. Expect to discuss its application in grading, earthwork calculations, utility design, and stormwater management.

• Project Management Software: While not explicitly named, familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, or similar platforms for task management, scheduling, and resource allocation will be beneficial.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems for organizing and sharing project documentation is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Reporting Tools: Olsson likely uses internal dashboards or reporting systems to track project progress, team performance, and financial metrics.

• Data Analysis Tools: Basic proficiency in Excel for data analysis, reporting, and financial tracking related to projects is assumed.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Software: While primarily an engineering role, understanding how design projects integrate with client relationship management systems could be advantageous, especially for client-facing aspects.

• Workflow Automation: Familiarity with or a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for automating repetitive tasks within design workflows is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: AutoCAD Civil 3D is the cornerstone of this role's technical requirements. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with this software in detail and ideally demonstrate its application in their portfolio.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Responsive: Commitment to timely responses to client inquiries, project team needs, and internal requests, ensuring project momentum.

• Transparent: Open and honest communication regarding project status, challenges, and solutions, fostering trust with clients and team members.

• Results-Focused: Dedication to achieving project objectives, delivering high-quality outcomes, and exceeding client expectations, with a keen eye on efficiency and impact.

• People-Centric: Valuing employees, fostering their growth, and promoting a supportive work environment where talents are recognized and utilized effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with diverse teams (surveying, architecture, environmental, construction) to ensure seamless project execution and holistic problem-solving.

• Process Review Culture: Encouraging feedback loops and collaborative review of design processes to identify areas for improvement and innovation.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting an environment where team members share best practices, technical insights, and lessons learned to elevate collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated values directly inform how operations are conducted at Olsson. Candidates should demonstrate how their work style and past experiences align with these core principles, particularly in how they manage projects, interact with colleagues, and approach problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Quality and Speed: Effectively managing project timelines while upholding rigorous QA/QC standards in a fast-paced design environment.

• Interdisciplinary Coordination: Ensuring seamless communication and integration among various engineering disciplines and external stakeholders to avoid design conflicts.

• Client Expectation Management: Navigating diverse client needs and expectations, providing consultative solutions that align with project scope and budget.

• Adapting to Evolving Technology: Staying current with advancements in CAD software, design methodologies, and relevant regulatory changes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Access to internal training programs focused on project management, leadership, and advanced civil design techniques.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending industry events, workshops, and pursuing relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, professional engineering licenses) to enhance expertise.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leadership and to mentor junior staff, fostering leadership skills and knowledge transfer.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section helps candidates anticipate potential hurdles and understand the proactive learning environment at Olsson, framing challenges as opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex site design project you managed. What were the key technical challenges, how did you address them, and what was the final outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating technical expertise, problem-solving, and project management.)

• "How do you ensure the quality of design deliverables within your team? Walk me through your typical QA/QC process." (Highlight your understanding of quality control methodologies and implementation.)

• "Imagine a scenario where a critical design element from another discipline conflicts with your site design. How would you approach resolving this with the other team lead?" (Assess your collaboration, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody Olsson's values of being responsive, transparent, and results-focused in your daily work?" (Prepare specific examples linking your actions to these values.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or flexible work environment. How do you ensure productivity and team cohesion?" (Demonstrate your adaptability and remote work management skills.)

• "What does 'improving the world around us' mean to you in the context of civil site design?" (Showcase your alignment with the company's mission.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around key projects, using a clear STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each case study.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "reduced project delivery time by X%", "identified Y potential cost savings through QA review").

• Highlight Process Improvements: Dedicate specific slides or sections to showcase workflows you've optimized, QA/QC protocols you've implemented, or efficiency gains you've achieved.

• Engage Your Audience: Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail, answer questions thoughtfully, and demonstrate your passion for civil design and team leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical competence but also leadership, process management, and cultural alignment, using specific examples from past projects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Civil Design Manager position:

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

• Tailor your resume: Emphasize your 10+ years of AutoCAD Civil 3D experience, project management accomplishments for medium-sized projects, and any QA/QC leadership roles. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select 3-5 key site design projects that best showcase your technical skills, project management capabilities, and process improvement initiatives. Be ready to present these with a focus on impact and results.

• Research Olsson: Familiarize yourself with their project portfolio, company values, and recent news to articulate your interest and cultural fit during interviews.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering potential interview questions, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating your leadership potential.

⚠️ 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.

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