Design Manager

Job Title: Design Manager - Building Design Standards and Logistics FacilitiesJob Description

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. The position requires balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while providing practical, data-driven design guidance across site planning, architecture, engineering systems, and aviation-related infrastructure.

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.
• Coordinate with third-party architects, engineers, designers, and consultants responsible for creating and maintaining building design programs and templates.
• 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.
• Support technical design reviews of facility design templates and site-specific designs to ensure adherence to design standards, codes, and operational requirements.
• 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.

Essential Skills

• 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.
• Project experience supporting facilities from concept design through construction administration.
• 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.

Additional Skills & 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.

Work Environment

The Design Manager works closely with engineers, architects, and designers to develop and refine building designs for logistics and operations facilities. The role involves frequent coordination with cross-functional internal teams and external consultants, as well as participation in structured workshops and reviews. Work is primarily performed in an office and virtual collaboration environment using tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Revit, Autodesk BIM 360, and CAD-based design platforms. The position supports programs that emphasize operational excellence, cost efficiency, and standardized design practices across a broad network of facilities, including aviation-related and airside environments.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Seattle, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.