Design Project Manager - Defense Contractors

Cities & Places At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Do you have a passion and experience for managing high-impact complex projects in the Federal with Defense Industry Clients? We are seeking a Project Manager to lead Defense Contractor projects such as production facilities to include aircraft, ships, and rocket motors, and campus buildouts. . As a member of our team, you will lead design projects consisting of multi-discipline teams of engineers and architects from design kick-off through construction. You will primarily support federal projects for Defense Contractors or Department of Defense and Federal Civilian clients using Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, other Lean Design-Build delivery methods.

You’ll lead projects by effective, skilled project management techniques to enhance the design solutions, leverage project delivering costs, and add value to the business.  You’ll play an integral role in forming long-term client relationships, engaging team members on projects, and collaborating with talented resources throughout Jacobs.   

Design your career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you and your teams can evolve, grow, and succeed.   

Responsibilities include:

• Successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously, completed on time, within project and construction budgets and in accordance with agreed scope.  

• Serve as the primary point of contact with the client from beginning to end.   

• Develop the project proposal fees and scope by coordination with discipline directors and design leads for specific budget and scope definition to then lead in fee negotiations with the client. 

• Facilitate the creation of communication plans, ensuring that appropriate information is exchanged among key stakeholders, and conduct status review meetings among project team members and clients through project execution.

• Determine, monitor and manage: financial project metrics, schedules and staffing requirements for each project.

• Guide the overall development and quality of the project documents and adherence with Jacobs Quality Program. 

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture

• Experience as a client facing Design Project Manager managing multiple disciplines

• US Citizenship

Ideally, You’ll Also Have:

• Professional Registration (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) is preferred.  Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification will be considered

• Demonstrated design and project management experience within Federal and/or DOD s 

• Project management and project execution experience with Defense Industrial Clients

• Experience leading design teams in Design-Build contracts 

#LI-IR1

Posted Salary Range: Minimum

119,800.00

Posted Salary Range: Upper

187,225.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $119,800.00 to $187,225.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on June 12, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .

Locations

City State Country
Chicago	Illinois	United States