Design Manager

About the role

This role leads the development and implementation of building design templates and standards for technologically advanced logistics and operations facilities. The Design Manager collaborates with internal teams and external consultants to establish design criteria, templates, and planning strategies that support complex operations networks.

Responsibilities

• Support a team that creates new, efficient, and economical building designs for various business segment programs.
• Participate in workshops to drive alignment on key issues, design practices, new facility designs, and initiatives focused on reducing construction and maintenance costs while enhancing operational excellence.
• Collaborate and coordinate with internal operations, design, engineering, and construction stakeholders to increase the efficiency and consistency of the programming and design process.
• Cook up and coordinate with third-party architects, engineers, designers, and consultants responsible for creating and maintaining building design programs and templates.
• Coordinate with internal operations, design, engineering, and construction stakeholders to increase the efficiency and consistency of the programming and design process.
• Support design standards related to site planning, architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems, low voltage, fire protection, signage, storage and material handling equipment, and alignment with internal stakeholders.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of design deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established standards, codes, and program requirements.
• Maintain and manage program-level documentation, tracking logs, and status reports to provide visibility into design milestones, deliverable progress, and issue resolution.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement through structured communication, regular status updates, and coordinated interactions across cross-functional teams.
• Develop and review conceptual layouts, test-fit studies, and design options to evaluate feasibility, operational impacts, and space utilization.
• Support planning and design efforts for operational equipment layouts, circulation paths, clearances, safety zones, and site-specific operational requirements, including aviation apron and ramp areas where applicable.
• Assist with design analyses and simulations related to operational workflows, equipment interactions, clearance requirements, and site utilization, including operational, spatial, and safety CAD design feasibility and movement simulations of different ground support equipment and aircraft.
• Provide timely and effective design guidance to consultants, project teams, and stakeholders throughout the planning and design process.
• Identify and flag design discrepancies, non-conformances, and quality gaps through systematic review processes and escalate issues as appropriate.
• Demonstrate strong collaboration, stakeholder management, and cross-functional alignment to support program success.
• Support project initiatives and building design programs from concept design through construction administration, ensuring consistent application of standards and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Planning, or a related design discipline.
• 5–7+ years of experience in architecture, industrial facility design, planning, or related positions.
• Experience with aviation apron and ramp, airside facilities, or airport infrastructure planning and design, including familiarity with aircraft maneuvering areas, apron grading, jet blast zones, foreign object debris (FOD) prevention, and ground support equipment circulation.
• Demonstrated experience with stakeholder programmatic management, including program tracking, milestone documentation, action item logs, and cross-functional status reporting.
• Proven quality assurance mindset with experience conducting design reviews, compliance checks, and deliverable validation against established standards.
• Ability to rapidly develop and evaluate conceptual layouts, test-fit studies, and design alternatives.
• Ability to think quickly, adapt to changing priorities, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Revit.
• Proficiency in Autodesk BIM 360.
• Proficiency with CAD-based design tools.

Qualifications

• Experience working with complex site planning, operational facilities, logistics networks, or transportation-related infrastructure.
• Experience with aviation planning and airport planning.
• Experience supporting design standards for architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, low voltage, fire protection, signage, storage, and material handling systems.
• Familiarity with operational workflows, equipment interactions, clearance requirements, and site utilization analysis.
• Experience conducting operational, spatial, and safety CAD design feasibility studies and movement simulations for ground support equipment and aircraft.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on quality control and continuous improvement of design processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, architects, and designers.
• Comfort working in a mission-driven environment focused on operational excellence and cost efficiency.