Program Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Program Design Manager

Company: Faith Technologies

Location: Olathe, KS, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Operations - Program Design & Engineering Management

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: 8-12+ Years (depending on education)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of complex, multi-disciplinary programs from initial concept through to engineering completion and successful handover for execution.

• Act as the primary client-facing design lead, fostering strong relationships and ensuring clear communication of technical strategies and project requirements.

• Drive the technical strategy and execution of programs by coordinating and aligning engineering, manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and construction teams.

• Champion continuous improvement by identifying and implementing design standardization, reusable strategies, and lessons learned across programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Program Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean into a blend of program management, technical leadership, and client-facing project management within an engineering and construction context. This role is crucial for bridging the gap between client needs and the operational execution of complex projects, particularly in Engineered-to-Order (ETO) environments. The focus on "program requirements documentation" and "transition to execution" highlights its operational significance in ensuring successful project delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams, including engineering, BIM, and operations, from initial program pursuit through the completion of design and transition to the execution phase.

• Serve as the primary design-phase stakeholder manager, engaging directly with clients, consultants, and internal teams to drive design schedules, coordinate deliverables, and facilitate timely decision-making.

• Oversee the development of comprehensive design solutions, from conceptualization to detailed engineering documentation, ensuring alignment with client requirements and technical objectives.

• Drive standardization and product evolution across programs by leveraging lessons learned, promoting reusable design strategies, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

• Partner closely with Estimating, Procurement, and Engineering departments to evaluate cost impacts, explore design alternatives, and identify value engineering opportunities.

• Develop and manage team budgets and cost estimates, ensuring financial accountability throughout the program lifecycle.

• Proactively track design progress, manage design changes, and identify/mitigate risks throughout the program lifecycle.

• Develop and maintain Program Requirements Documentation, establishing a single source of truth that consolidates all program and product design requirements.

• Ensure seamless alignment between design intent, manufacturing capabilities, and constructability to optimize project outcomes.

• Verify design compliance with all relevant codes, specifications, and customer requirements.

• Facilitate a smooth and efficient transition from the design phase into program execution, ensuring all necessary information and documentation are transferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project lifecycle management skills, with a significant emphasis on the front-end of the project (concept to design completion). The role requires not just technical design oversight but also strategic planning, stakeholder management, and a deep understanding of how design impacts downstream operations like manufacturing and construction. The emphasis on "Program Requirements Documentation" as a "Source-of-Truth" is a critical operational function for large-scale projects.

ുകൾ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent with 12+ years of relevant experience.

• Associate's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant experience.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience. Experience:

• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary projects from concept through execution.

• Strong knowledge of Engineered-to-Order (ETO) product design, Design-Build, Mission Critical, and integrated project delivery models.

• Proven experience leading client-facing meetings, design reviews, and cross-functional project teams.

• Established ability to manage project schedules, coordinate diverse stakeholders, and drive design decisions to successful completion. Required Skills:

• Program Design & Management: Expertise in leading complex programs from ideation to detailed engineering, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Client Relationship Management: Ability to effectively lead client-facing discussions, understand requirements, and manage expectations throughout the design process.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Proven capability to lead and influence diverse teams (engineering, BIM, operations, estimating, procurement) towards a common goal.

• Technical Strategy Development: Skill in defining and communicating the overarching technical approach for complex programs.

• Stakeholder Coordination: Ability to manage multiple stakeholders with potentially competing interests and drive consensus.

• Risk Management: Proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of design and project execution risks.

• Schedule Management: Proficiency in developing, tracking, and managing project schedules to ensure timely delivery of design milestones.

• Requirements Documentation: Expertise in creating and maintaining clear, comprehensive program requirements as a single source of truth.

Preferred Skills:

• Engineered-to-Order (ETO) Expertise: Deep understanding of ETO product lifecycles and design methodologies.

• Design-Build & Integrated Project Delivery: Familiarity with and experience in these collaborative project delivery models.

• Mission Critical Infrastructure: Knowledge of design considerations for critical facilities.

• BIM (Building Information Modeling): Proficiency in leveraging BIM for design coordination and visualization.

• Value Engineering: Ability to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or function.

• Budget Management: Experience in developing and managing program budgets and cost estimates.

• Constructability Analysis: Understanding of how design decisions impact construction feasibility and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are tiered based on education, reflecting a common practice in engineering and construction fields where practical experience can substitute for formal degrees. The "Required Skills" are derived from the core responsibilities and the emphasis on leading teams and driving decisions, while "Preferred Skills" are pulled from specific project models and technical areas mentioned in the description (ETO, Design-Build, BIM, Mission Critical).

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing leadership in the design phase of complex, multi-disciplinary programs from concept to engineering completion.

• Include case studies highlighting successful client-facing engagements, where requirements were defined, and design solutions were effectively developed.

• Provide examples of how you have managed program schedules, coordinated diverse stakeholders, and driven critical design decisions to completion.

• Showcase experience in developing and maintaining Program Requirements Documentation, emphasizing its role as a central source of truth.

• Present evidence of driving standardization and continuous improvement initiatives within design processes or product evolution. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate your approach to defining and documenting program requirements, including methodologies for gathering input and ensuring clarity.

• Detail your process for leading design reviews and coordination meetings, emphasizing techniques for effective facilitation and decision capture.

• Outline your methods for tracking design progress, managing changes, and identifying/mitigating risks throughout the program lifecycle.

• Provide examples of how you ensure alignment between design intent, manufacturing capabilities, and constructability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like Program Design Manager, a portfolio is essential for demonstrating practical application of skills. The emphasis here is on the process of design management and stakeholder engagement, rather than just the final design output itself. Highlighting documentation and cross-functional alignment is key for operations-minded candidates.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For Olathe, KS, an experienced Program Design Manager (8-12+ years) in the construction and engineering sector typically falls within a range of $110,000 to $150,000 annually. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the required technical expertise, and the demand for program leadership in this industry. Factors such as specific educational background, the depth of ETO/Design-Build experience, and the complexity of past projects can influence the final offer. Benefits:

• Flexible and Robust Benefits Package: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; disability coverage.

• Career Development Programs: Opportunities for professional growth, skill enhancement, and advancement within Faith Technologies.

• Continued Education Programs: Support for ongoing learning, certifications, and advanced training relevant to engineering and construction management.

• Merit-Based Compensation: Competitive