Design Manager

Design Manager

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it's about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR's Building Engineering Services Group, you'll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

In the role of Design Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Coordinate, plan and manage work of single or multidiscipline teams throughout the project's life cycle (from development and initiation to close-out) while under supervision of a Project Manager for large projects and independently on smaller projects.
• Independently coordinate work of professional staff and balance team throughout entire project's development
• Establish client relations, and be involved with marketing, contractual, design and production meetings
• Support business development by attending client meetings, conducting presentations, crafting project proposals and participating in interviews.
• Participate in reviews with various governing agencies for compliance
• Conduct work sessions for design development and contract documents in conjunction with other staff
• Coordinate workload through entire project development, and ensure completion of documents on schedule
• Track financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust work effort with team to ensure that work is completed within parameters of agreed-to schedule, scope and budget
• Work with Business/Accounting Manager or Project Controller and Department Manager for project reviews and with company management as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP certification
• Experience and/or interest in sustainable design/LEED
• Familiarity with any of the following market sectors: Technology, Media, Telecom & Data, Data Centers, Hospitality, Finance, Aerospace and Entertainment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 5 years related experience
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position is $106,000 - $151,000 and depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)

Primary Location: United States-California-Irvine

Other Locations: United States-California-Los Angeles

Industry: Building Engineering

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Building Mechanical

Job Posting: Jul 8, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.