Project Design Manager - Commercial Millwork

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Project Design Manager - Commercial Millwork

Company: Anton Cabinetry

Location: Pantego, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Operations & Design Management (Commercial Millwork)

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee the end-to-end project design lifecycle for commercial millwork projects.

• Manage and develop architectural shop drawings, CNC machine files, production, and installation drawings.

• Ensure all designs and outputs from the engineering team and external partners meet stringent quality, safety, and aesthetic standards.

• Collaborate with project managers, customers, and internal stakeholders to deliver innovative and specification-compliant design solutions.

• Drive value engineering initiatives by recommending design and material alternatives that align with client needs, production capabilities, and cost-effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Project Design Manager," the responsibilities and required skills align closely with a senior-level Operations or Engineering role within the commercial millwork and architectural casework industry. The focus on managing drawings, production outputs, value engineering, and team oversight positions this as a critical operational function rather than purely a creative design role. The "Manager" aspect pertains more to project design execution and team output supervision than direct people management of a large department.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Development & Management:

  • Manage the creation and modification of millwork architectural shop drawings, CNC machine files, production drawings, and installation drawings using various software platforms.
  • Ensure the accuracy and completeness of cut-lists, CNC drawings, product drawings, material lists, product lists, and work orders, directly correlating them with project specifications.
  • Review, approve, and monitor the output of CAD Product Designers and external partners to guarantee compliance with project specifications, quality benchmarks, safety protocols, and aesthetic requirements for each assigned job.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Client Engagement:

  • Partner closely with Project Managers to ensure seamless project execution from design to installation, proactively identifying and resolving potential design conflicts or challenges.
  • Collaborate effectively with customers and internal partners to understand design concepts, gather requirements, and present design solutions that meet or exceed expectations.
  • Recommend viable design and material alternatives to achieve client specifications, uphold quality standards, respect production limitations, enhance functionality, and meet value engineering targets.

• Team Support & Process Improvement:

  • Provide training and mentorship to new engineering team members, reinforcing adherence to established standards and standard operating procedures.
  • Assist in the coordination of engineering team members and subcontractors to ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery of project components.
  • Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing engineering processes, design workflows, and overall company operational efficiency.

• Project Execution & Field Support:

  • Perform comprehensive project design management duties for multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality output.

  • Complete complex designing and drafting assignments, demonstrating advanced technical proficiency and problem-solving skills.

  • Maintain meticulous job engineering files, ensuring all drawings are organized and stored according to established company and engineering standards.

  • Occasionally travel to job sites for essential field verification, project meetings, and to gather critical on-site data as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical design execution, project oversight, and team-level coordination, typical of a senior operations or lead engineering role. The emphasis on "managing the output" of others and "reviewing and approving" work suggests a leadership component within the design and engineering function, directly impacting production and project success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is listed, a strong foundation in technical design, engineering principles, or a related field is implied. Candidates with Associate's or Bachelor's degrees in Engineering Technology, Industrial Design, Architecture, or a related discipline will be highly regarded. Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of direct experience working with Architectural Casework and Millwork is mandatory.

• Proven track record in managing design outputs for commercial millwork projects from concept to production-ready documentation.

• Experience in a role requiring the interpretation of complex architectural plans and specifications. Required Skills:

• Technical Proficiency:

  • Expert proficiency in reading, interpreting, and translating architectural plans and specifications into actionable design documents.
  • Strong command of AutoCAD software, coupled with a deep understanding of drafting principles, engineering standards, and industry terminology.
  • Solid understanding of woodworking materials, manufacturing methods (including CNC processes), and installation techniques specific to commercial millwork and casework.

• Project & Operations Acumen:

  • Strong understanding of layout, shop drawing, and construction drawing principles for customized commercial millwork and casework.
  • Proven ability to manage and develop accurate cut-lists, CNC drawings, product drawings, material lists, and work orders.
  • Skill in value