Design Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About the job

We are looking for a Design Manager to join our growing team. If you have a passion for mass timber, a deep technical background in 3D modeling, and the leadership skills to guide a talented team at the forefront of sustainable construction, this role is for you.

In this pivotal role, you will lead and mentor a team of designer-detailers within our Engineering and Design department. You will ensure our complex mass timber projects are delivered with absolute accuracy, on schedule, and to our industry-leading standards.

Location: Columbia Falls, MT / Dothan, AL / Remote

Reporting To: Vice President of Engineering & Design

What You Will Do

Lead and Mentor: Direct, resource, and manage a high-performing design team, assigning weekly workloads, setting clear performance standards, and driving internal training and development.

Oversee Technical Detailing: Own the technical execution of our mass timber detailing (CLT, Glulam, and GLT) and miscellaneous steel components, ensuring strict adherence to our design standards manual.

Drive Quality & Technology: Develop and enforce rigorous quality control measures at every stage of project delivery. Champion the selection and implementation of advanced software, AI, and emerging technologies to boost accuracy and efficiency.

Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Represent the design team across project management, engineering, CNC programming, and production meetings to streamline the entire workflow from screen to factory floor.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Design Manager is accountable for supporting the Engineering and Design department to ensure that Mass Timber projects are completed accurately and are issued for review, fabrication, and construction in a timely manner. The primary objectives are to manage the design/detailing team, design for optimal manufacturing and assembly, and ensuring that SmartLam’s high level of service is provided on every project.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all technical aspects of the design department which include, but may not be limited to:

• Mass Timber Design – Cross Laminated Timber, Glulam, etc.
• Miscellaneous Steel Detailing
• Design Standard manuals
• Education and Training documents

• Manage SmartLam’s internal and external design and detailing team.

• Own the modeling, detailing, submittal approval and pre-production processes for projects delivered by Smartlam, which includes but is not limited to:

• Design and draft in 2D/3D CadWork, Auto-CAD, and Revit.
• Develop Mass Timber submittal drawings, shop drawings, and production drawings using CadWork software.
• Coordinate project information with design team.
• Manage and Track project RFI’s
• Manage project team, scope, and schedule for project delivery.
• Create project design fee estimations and scheduling.
• Support nesting of Mass Timber project for production.
• Provide necessary data to the production team for the manufacturing of CLT and GL components.
• Develop miscellaneous steel submittal and fabrication drawings.
• Support Quality Control review of all projects prior to delivery.
• Manage and deliver product documents to the factory (project specific requirements, nested volumes, piece shop drawings, labels, truck loading diagrams, fastener list, spline list, etc.)
• Pre-production kick-off and project review with the factory as necessary.

• Maintain drafting standards for ALL drafting software being utilized.

• Develop tools in CadWork to support Sales and Project Management teams with project estimating, take-off’s, lists, etc.

• Train junior drafters and engineers in CadWork and other software used.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-year Associate Degree in Computer Aided Drafting

• 10+ year experience in building or manufacturing drafting

• Experienced with mass timber design and construction

• Proficient in CadWork production software

• Proficient in AutoCAD (2D & 3D), Revit or other 3D modeling software

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of products

• Highly organized and detailed

• Able to work well with and manage others in a team environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-year Associate Degree in Computer Aided Drafting

• 10+ year experience in building or manufacturing drafting

• Experienced with mass timber design and construction

• Proficient in CadWork production software

• Proficient in AutoCAD (2D & 3D), Revit or other 3D modeling software

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of products

• Highly organized and detailed

• Able to work well with and manage others in a team environment

This role description provides an overview of key responsibilities and requirements but does not list every possible duty or expectation. Management may adjust responsibilities as needed. Americans with Disabilities; Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity
SmartLam North America is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws regarding discrimination. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other protected status.