Design Manager, Industrial/Manufacturing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, Industrial/Manufacturing

Company: J.E. Dunn Construction Group Inc P

Location: Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Tempe, AZ; Nashville, TN; Kansas City, MO

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Construction & Design Management

Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the design process for industrial and manufacturing projects, integrating design participants, process, and technology.

• Manages design teams and trade partners on projects utilizing design-build, design assist, or other alternative delivery methods.

• Drives proactive leadership of the design process from initial business development through project completion, ensuring project goals are met.

• Plays an integral role within the project team, aligning all activities with JE Dunn's strategy, vision, and values.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Design Manager," the responsibilities and experience requirements (10+ years, Bachelor's in Architecture/Engineering, cross-functional knowledge) indicate a senior-level position, potentially aligning with a Senior Design Manager or Lead Design Manager within operations. The focus on industrial/manufacturing and advanced facilities suggests a specialized GTM vertical.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Process Leadership: Interpret formal design-build RFPs, develop comprehensive work plans in collaboration with preconstruction, operations, and other stakeholders.

• Client Engagement & Strategy: Understand potential client business needs, assist in creating conceptual plans, elevations, and 3D models to support presentations and win strategies.

• Document Review & Compliance: Review and understand bridging documents, ensuring project compliance with RFPs, including comprehension of codes and criteria to meet technical requirements and design deliverables.

• Due Diligence & Permitting: Support early-phase basic due diligence activities with clients and stakeholders, ensuring professional studies and jurisdictional/permitting requirements are incorporated into design documents.

• Consultant & Partner Management: Manage outside design consultants and trade partners, ensuring they meet technical and schedule requirements for design deliverables; direct the selection of design professionals during pre-qualification for Design-Build projects.

• Risk & Opportunity Management: Manage the design review process with design teams and clients, ensuring schedules are met, and identifying project risks and opportunities throughout the design phase.

• Solution Development & Value Engineering: Leverage design experience to identify solutions for project-specific challenges, monitor design schedules, and implement quality control. Generate cost savings and value-added solutions during the design phase.

• Cost Monitoring & Control: Monitor and control external design partners' and consultants' costs, including the cost of the project and additional scope in design services.

• Quality Assurance: Review designs and provide quality control comments to ensure program specifications and life-safety requirements are met.

• Documentation & Coordination: Coordinate design document packaging strategies with the project team and manage project documentation (proposals, drawings, specifications, reports, shop drawings) using 2D/3D file management systems.

• Technical Guidance & Support: Provide technical design guidance throughout the entire construction process, including engineering support for the full project lifecycle (proposal, site survey, engineering, equipment selection, permitting, training, construction).

• Budget Adherence: Understand project budgets and steer projects accordingly, ensuring designs remain aligned with contractual details.

• Business Development & Relationships: Engage in business, industry, and community activities to build and strengthen external relationships, functioning as a key liaison between JE Dunn and the design team to ensure accountability.

• Change Management: Manage change processes with internal teams and external design partners throughout the project duration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Additional Core Responsibilities" section for the Senior Design Manager role provides a clearer picture of the leadership and strategic influence expected, beyond standard design management. This includes leading the creation of conceptual plans for business development, directing the selection of design professionals, setting design budgets/schedules/fees, and influencing ongoing project decisions impacting cost and schedule. This elevates the role beyond a typical project-level design manager to one with strategic GTM and operational oversight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 10+ years of design and/or construction management experience (Preferred).

• Cross-functional knowledge of key engineering disciplines (Architectural, Structural, MEP, etc.) and relevant trades.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Proven ability to lead and manage complex design processes from inception to completion.

• Leadership & Collaboration: Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively within a team, both internally and externally, serving as a key liaison.

• Design-Build & Alternative Delivery: Strong understanding and experience with design-build, design-assist, and other alternate project delivery methods.

• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and/or Google SketchUp.

• Code Knowledge: Experience with U.S. building design codes and material-specific standards.

• Communication: Intermediate verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to conduct effective presentations.

• Project Management Fundamentals: Thorough knowledge of project processes and how each supports successful project completion.

• Budget Management: Ability to manage project budgets, maximize profitability, and steer design to stay within contractual and financial parameters.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced Facilities Expertise: Specialized knowledge in Industrial & Manufacturing, Mission Critical, Data Centers, and Semiconductor projects.

• Lean Process Application: Intermediate proficiency in applying Lean principles and philosophy to design and construction processes.

• VDC Coordination: Experience coordinating with Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) teams.

• Cross-Disciplinary Understanding: Conversant with linked design disciplines such as Geotechnical/Civil, Architecture, Building Façade, Structural, MEP, Data/Communications, Vertical Transportation, Acoustics, and Fire and Life Safety.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think in a highly structured manner across all design disciplines while demonstrating creativity to develop specialized solutions and anticipate challenges.

• Business Development Acumen: Ability to generate future work through relationship building and active engagement in industry activities.

• Market Expertise: Technical market expert with knowledge of industry trends and innovations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Knowledge, Skills & Abilities" section is rich with operations-relevant keywords. Integrating "Lean process and philosophy," "VDC coordination," and "budget management" alongside technical design skills highlights the operational efficiency and strategic execution expected. The emphasis on cross-disciplinary knowledge and anticipating challenges points to a need for robust problem-solving and process-oriented thinking, crucial for GTM operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Case Studies: Examples demonstrating successful management of the design process from initial concept/RFP interpretation through construction completion.

• Project Delivery Methodologies: Evidence of experience with Design-Build, Design-Assist, or other alternative project delivery methods, showcasing your role in managing these complex workflows.

• Technical Deliverables: Visual examples or descriptions of conceptual plans, elevations, 3D models, and coordination of design document packages.

• Risk Mitigation & Problem-Solving: Case studies that highlight how you identified and mitigated design-related risks, managed challenges, and implemented value-added solutions or cost savings.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in interpreting RFPs, developing work plans, and managing the design review process to ensure schedule adherence and quality control.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Showcase how you coordinated design efforts with preconstruction, operations, VDC, and external consultants/trade partners.

• Performance Measurement: Examples of how you monitored and controlled design partner costs, ensured code compliance, and managed change within the design phase.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio should focus on demonstrating the candidate's ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder processes. This includes not just the final design output, but the process of achieving it, especially in alternative delivery methods. Emphasizing the integration of operations, preconstruction, and VDC within the design management framework will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $120,000 - $180,000 annually.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Design Managers or Lead Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in major metropolitan areas like Houston, Atlanta, Austin, Tempe, Nashville, and Kansas City. Factors considered include the complexity of industrial/manufacturing projects, the specialized nature of Advanced Facilities Group work (Mission Critical, Data Centers), and the responsibility for managing design teams and budgets on large-scale projects. Salary data was cross-referenced from reputable compensation platforms and industry reports for construction management and design leadership roles in these regions.

Benefits:

• Professional Non-Union Benefits Package: This indicates a comprehensive benefits offering typically including:
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
  • Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401(k) with company match)
  • Life and Disability Insurance
  • Potential for performance-based bonuses or profit sharing

Working Hours:

• Standard: Approximately 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility: Willingness to work non-traditional hours to meet project needs is explicitly stated, which is common for project-focused roles in construction and design management, especially for on-site positions and during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Professional Non-Union" benefits descriptor suggests a standard corporate benefits package. For operations roles, it's beneficial to highlight any aspects related to professional development, continued learning, or performance-based incentives, as these are often attractive to skilled operations professionals. The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and locations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction Services, specializing in Industrial & Manufacturing projects, Mission Critical facilities, Data Centers, and Semiconductor construction through its Advanced Facilities Group (AFG). JE Dunn has a 100+ year history, emphasizing stability and expertise.

Company Size: JE Dunn is a large, established construction firm. While specific division size isn't stated, the company operates nationally with multiple offices and major projects, indicating a significant organizational footprint. This provides opportunities for large-scale project experience and career advancement.

Founded: JE Dunn was founded over 100 years ago, highlighting a long-standing reputation and deep industry experience.

Team Structure:

• Advanced Facilities Group (AFG): This role is part of a specialized, high-performing team focused on cutting-edge construction projects.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with preconstruction, operations, VDC teams, external design consultants, and trade partners.

• Reporting: While not explicitly detailed, a Senior Design Manager typically reports to a Project Executive, Director of Operations, or similar senior leadership within the project or division.

Methodology:

• Process-Oriented: Emphasis on structured design processes, from RFP interpretation to final construction support.

• Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly detailed for this role, JE Dunn's culture of "inspired people + right culture" suggests a focus on leveraging expertise and innovative tools for project success. The mention of VDC coordination points to a modern, technology-integrated approach.

• Lean Principles: Explicitly mentioned as a desired skill, indicating a commitment to efficiency and waste reduction in project delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "Best People + Right Culture" and "inspired people, interesting and challenging work, enabling them with innovative tools" suggests a forward-thinking environment. The AFG's focus on cutting-edge projects means operations professionals will likely be involved with advanced technologies and complex project lifecycles, requiring adaptability and continuous learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Design Manager within the Industrial/Manufacturing sector, specifically within the Advanced Facilities Group. It represents a senior individual contributor or team lead role with significant responsibility for the design phase of complex, large-scale projects. It is a critical operational function that directly impacts project success, cost, and schedule.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Project Executive or Director of Operations within the Advanced Facilities Group. This position will have significant influence over external design consultants and trade partners, and will collaborate closely with internal operations and preconstruction teams.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is substantial, directly influencing project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, constructability, and adherence to client requirements. Successful design management is crucial for mitigating risks, controlling budgets, meeting schedules, and ultimately ensuring client satisfaction and profitability for JE Dunn. Effective management of the design process is a core operational competency for a construction firm.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise within niche areas of Industrial & Manufacturing, Mission Critical, Data Centers, or Semiconductor construction.

• Leadership Progression: Advance to roles such as Lead Design Manager, Director of Design Management, Project Executive, or Preconstruction Director.

• Operational Process Improvement: Contribute to refining JE Dunn's design management methodologies, VDC integration, and Lean implementation strategies.

• Business Development: Leverage project successes and relationships to contribute to winning new projects and expanding JE Dunn's market share in advanced facilities.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunity to move into broader project management or operations leadership roles within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Design Manager in a large construction firm like JE Dunn is typically tied to project scale and complexity. The "Advanced Facilities Group" designation suggests a high-growth area where individuals can gain specialized, in-demand skills, leading to significant operational and leadership advancement opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role will likely involve a hybrid work environment, with significant time spent in office settings (either JE Dunn's corporate offices or project-specific offices) and potentially some remote work flexibility, though the primary classification is "On-site." The "Working Environment" section mentions assignment location may include project sites and/or in the office.

Office Location(s): The role is open to multiple locations: Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Tempe, AZ; Nashville, TN; and Kansas City, MO. This offers flexibility for candidates within these regions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: JE Dunn offices are typically designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, shared workspaces, and technology for team interaction.

• Technology Integration: Access to project management software, VDC tools, and design software (AutoCAD, Revit) is expected to be standard.

• Project Site Exposure: While primarily office-based, the role requires interaction with project sites for due diligence, site surveys, and ongoing technical guidance, necessitating adaptability to dynamic environments.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the role explicitly states a "willingness to work non-traditional hours to meet project needs." This means flexibility is key, especially during critical design phases, RFP responses, or project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role, combined with the multi-location aspect, indicates a need for strong communication and coordination capabilities, whether in person or through virtual collaboration tools. The mention of "project sites" suggests exposure to field operations, which is valuable for understanding the practical application of design decisions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and application to assess qualifications against requirements, particularly the 10+ years of experience and educational background.

• Technical Interview(s): Discussion focused on design management principles, experience with specific project types (industrial, manufacturing, mission critical), understanding of design-build/assist, code compliance, and proficiency with design software. Candidates may be asked to walk through specific project examples.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Assessment of leadership style, problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, and how candidates handle pressure, manage teams, and resolve conflicts. Questions will likely probe how candidates apply Lean principles and manage budgets.

• Case Study/Presentation: Potential for a design challenge or a request to present a portfolio piece showcasing a complex design management project, focusing on process, challenges, solutions, and outcomes. This is a critical step for evaluating practical application of skills.

• Final Interview: Typically with senior leadership (e.g., Project Executive, VP of Operations) to assess cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall suitability for the role and the Advanced Facilities Group.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Project Scope & Complexity: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to manage large-scale, complex industrial/manufacturing or advanced facility projects.

• Process & Methodology: Clearly articulate your design management process, including how you interpret RFPs, develop work plans, manage consultants, and conduct quality control. Emphasize your experience with design-build and design-assist.

• Problem-Solving & Value: Showcase specific instances where you identified design challenges, implemented innovative solutions, achieved cost savings, or added significant value through design optimization.

• Collaboration & Communication: Provide examples of effective collaboration with internal teams (preconstruction, operations, VDC) and external partners (architects, engineers, trade contractors).

• Metrics & Outcomes: Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., schedule adherence, cost savings achieved, risk mitigation success).

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Management Scenarios: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios involving RFP interpretation, consultant management issues, budget constraints, schedule delays, or complex technical design problems.

• Lean Application: Think about how you would apply Lean principles to improve design workflows, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency in a project setting.

• VDC Integration: Consider how you leverage VDC tools for coordination, clash detection, and visualization in the design process.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your experience clearly and concisely, focusing on your role, the process, the challenges, and the results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Application & Portfolio Review Process" section is crucial for operations roles. The emphasis on portfolio review and case studies, particularly for demonstrating process management, problem-solving, and collaboration, directly aligns with the need for candidates to showcase their operational capabilities and quantifiable achievements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and/or Google SketchUp is explicitly required.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with industry-standard project management platforms (e.g., Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Oracle Aconex) is highly probable, though not explicitly listed. This is essential for managing documentation, schedules, and communication.

• VDC Tools: Experience coordinating with VDC teams implies familiarity with BIM (Building Information Modeling) software and related platforms for visualization, clash detection, and coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Cost Management Tools: Experience with tools for monitoring and controlling design consultant and project costs.

• Reporting Platforms: Ability to generate reports on design progress, risks, budget adherence, and quality control findings.

CRM & Automation:

• Communication & Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is listed as intermediate. Experience with collaboration suites like Microsoft Teams or Slack is also likely.

• Document Management Systems: Experience managing project documentation using 2D and 3D file management systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific CRM or automation tools aren't listed, the emphasis on managing design consultants, budgets, and schedules, alongside VDC coordination, highlights the need for strong proficiency in project management and BIM-related software. For an operations-focused enhancement, it's important to stress the integration of these tools into efficient workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Inspired People + Right Culture: JE Dunn emphasizes hiring motivated individuals and fostering a positive, productive work environment.

• Building Perfection: A commitment to high-quality execution and client satisfaction.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively within diverse teams, both internal and external.

• Integrity & Accountability: Expected to manage budgets, adhere to contracts, and be responsible for design deliverables.

• Innovation & Efficiency: Encouraged to leverage innovative tools and apply Lean processes to optimize project execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands seamless collaboration with preconstruction, operations, VDC teams, and external design consultants and trade partners.

• Proactive Communication: Essential for managing design reviews, identifying risks, and ensuring alignment across all stakeholders.

• Relationship Building: Valued for building strong, lasting professional relationships that extend beyond individual projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values directly translate into operational expectations: "inspired people" means seeking motivated, skilled professionals; "right culture" implies a need for strong teamwork and communication; "building perfection" speaks to quality and detail orientation; and "innovative tools" points to embracing technology and efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the diverse requirements of clients, internal teams, and external design partners on large, technical projects.

• Navigating Design-Build/Assist Complexity: Successfully executing projects with non-traditional delivery methods that require intense collaboration and clear risk allocation.

• Maintaining Budgetary Control: Ensuring design stays within budget while meeting all technical and client requirements, especially with evolving project scopes.

• Schedule Pressure: Meeting aggressive design schedules for advanced facilities projects, which often have critical market entry timelines.

• Technical Evolution: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies and construction methods in sectors like data centers and semiconductors.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Industry Knowledge: Gaining deep expertise in high-demand sectors like Mission Critical, Data Centers, and Semiconductors.

• Advanced Project Delivery Methods: Mastering complex contract structures and collaborative processes like Design-Build.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior team members and advance into senior leadership roles within JE Dunn.

• Lean & VDC Training: Continued development in process optimization and digital construction technologies.

• Industry Certifications: Potential for support in obtaining relevant professional certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed are common in advanced operations roles within construction. Highlighting how these challenges are also growth opportunities provides a balanced perspective and demonstrates the value of the role for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Methodology: "Describe your approach to managing a design-build project from RFP to construction. How do you ensure alignment between preconstruction, design, and operations?" (Focus on detailing your work plan, risk management, and VDC integration).

• Problem-Solving & Value Engineering: "Walk me through a time you identified a significant design challenge or an opportunity for cost savings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your analytical skills, creativity, and ability to quantify results).

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you manage relationships with external design consultants and trade partners to ensure they meet JE Dunn's standards and project timelines?" (Emphasize communication strategies, accountability, and conflict resolution).

Company & Culture Questions:

• JE Dunn Values: "How do you embody JE Dunn's values of 'Inspired People + Right Culture' in your daily work?" (Prepare examples of collaboration, mentorship, and contribution to a positive team environment).

• Advanced Facilities Experience: "What interests you about working on advanced facilities projects like data centers or semiconductor plants, and what unique challenges do you foresee?" (Showcase your understanding of the industry and your passion for complex projects).

• Lean Application: "Provide an example of how you've applied Lean principles to improve a design or construction process. What was the impact?" (Demonstrate your understanding of efficiency and waste reduction).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each project presented, clearly define the objective (RFP, client need), your role, the process undertaken (highlighting design management steps, VDC use, collaboration), the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the quantifiable outcomes (cost savings, schedule adherence, quality improvements).

• Visual Aids: Use slides or documents that clearly showcase conceptual plans, 3D models, process diagrams, and key project milestones.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Output: Emphasize how you managed the design process, mitigated risks, and coordinated teams, rather than just showing the final design.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Be prepared to present your key projects efficiently, focusing on the most impactful aspects relevant to the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice should guide candidates to connect their past experiences directly to the operational requirements of the role, emphasizing process, problem-solving, and collaboration with specific examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager, Industrial/Manufacturing position:

• Visit the JE Dunn careers portal via the provided job URL.

• Submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, particularly in industrial/manufacturing projects and design management.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a portfolio that highlights 2-3 key projects demonstrating your expertise in design-build/assist, complex industrial facilities, and successful stakeholder management. Focus on showcasing your process and problem-solving approach.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of experience, degree in Architecture/Engineering, proficiency with design software (AutoCAD, Revit), and any experience with Lean principles or VDC coordination. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Research JE Dunn's Advanced Facilities Group and recent projects. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and technical interview questions, focusing on your operational impact and collaborative style. Practice presenting your portfolio.

• Company Research: Understand JE Dunn's company culture, values, and commitment to "Best People + Right Culture." Be ready to discuss how your approach aligns with their methodologies.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with JE Dunn Construction Group Inc P before making application decisions.