Design Technology Manager

Overview:

Design Technology Manager needed to champion the evolution of our digital practice and push the boundaries of how technology shapes design and the built environments.

Locations: Milwaukee, WI; Boston, MA; Washington, DC; San Francisco, or Santa Monica, CA

HGA is seeking a Design Technology Manager to guide firmwide strategy while working directly with project teams to elevate visualization, computation, AI‑driven workflows, GIS integration, and project delivery systems. The role blends innovation with execution—advancing new capabilities, optimizing operations, and strengthening collaboration across disciplines. This position balances strategy, innovation, operations, project delivery, team leadership, and hands-on technical expertise. The Design Technology Manager leads initiatives that improve efficiency, interoperability, design quality, collaboration, and user experience across the firm while supporting both internal operations and billable project work.

The successful candidate will bring deep A/E/C technology expertise, a passion for emerging tools, and the leadership presence to drive complex initiatives that improve efficiency, design quality, and user experience.

In this role you will:

Strategy, Innovation & Digital Practice Leadership

• Strengthen collaboration between practice leadership and the Digital Practice group
• Drive the culture of digital practice and technology within the practices, setting the vision, goals, and strategies that guide the research, development, and integration of new tools, technologies, and workflows. Align with firm and practice goals.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, workflows, and digital tools to improve project delivery, collaboration, visualization, automation, and operational efficiency. Recommend solutions that support innovation, scalability, interoperability, and user adoption.
• Support advancement of computational design, Rhino, visualization technologies, GIS capabilities, and digital project delivery practices.
• Partner with leadership to establish priorities, implementation strategies, and long-term digital practice goals.

Technology Integration & Standards

• Manage integration of firmwide tools, software platforms, workflows, and digital systems across project teams and disciplines.
• Lead development and governance of standards, templates, libraries, workflows, and digital content resources.
• Ensure consistency and interoperability across digital practice tools and project delivery systems.
• Collaborate with IT and operational teams on software implementation, upgrades, testing, optimization, and resource planning.
• Develop and maintain best practices that support quality, efficiency, and scalable operations.

Training, Communication & User Engagement

• Lead communication and engagement efforts that promote user adoption and effective implementation of digital initiatives.
• Structure and conduct training, and support learning initiatives for firmwide staff related to digital practice tools and workflows.
• Translate technical concepts into practical guidance for a broad range of users and stakeholders, including developing training collateral, user documentation, standards resources, and knowledge-sharing materials.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation across the organization.

Project Delivery & Operational Leadership

• Manage and support billable project work related to design technology.
• Advise project leadership and design staff on digital strategy, ensuring that the right technology approach and resources align with project goals and aspirations across the full project lifecycle.
• Lead departmental and internal initiatives, including project planning, scheduling, staffing coordination, budgeting input, and execution oversight.
• Develop project estimates, timelines, staffing plans, and go/no-go recommendations for technology-related initiatives and support efforts.
• Support project teams requiring advanced technical specialization, complex workflows, or creative problem-solving.
• Operate with a high level of autonomy while aligning priorities with departmental workplans, operational goals, and leadership direction.

Team Leadership & Resource Management

• Manage Design Technology staff and technical leads, including work planning, assignments, coaching, mentoring, and performance assessment.
• May supervise a small specialized team and oversee external consultants, vendors, and strategic partners.
• Support hiring, onboarding, employee development, and team capability growth.
• Oversee resources related to digital practice operations, including software, hardware, data, digital assets, and technology infrastructure within area of responsibility.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, responsiveness, and high-quality service across the team.

Quality, Process Improvement & Technical Support

• Support firmwide QA/QC initiatives and digital project delivery standards.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase operational efficiency, project consistency, and user effectiveness.
• Provide advanced technical consultation and support within areas of specialization.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex workflow, interoperability, and project delivery challenges.
• Promote scalable, sustainable solutions that enhance firmwide operations and project outcomes.

You will need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Design Computation, , or related field preferred.
• 15+ years of related experience in design technology, digital practice, BIM/VDC leadership, computational design, visualization, or related A/E/C professional services environments.
• 3+ years of experience leading a technology team within the A/E/C environment.
• Professional licensure preferred; candidates with 20+ years of highly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of licensure.
• Advanced knowledge of Digital tools, workflows, interoperability standards, and integrated project delivery methods.
• Strong knowledge of visualization platforms, computational workflows, AI-enabled technologies, GIS systems, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, SketchUp, Bluebeam, and related digital practice tools.
• Experience leading firmwide standards development, software integration, workflow optimization, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, workplans, staffing coordination, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong communication, collaboration, leadership, and change management skills.
• Experience leading training initiatives, user engagement efforts, and adoption of new technologies and workflows.
• Minimum 5+ years supervisory or team leadership experience

Salary Information:

The pay range listed aligns to the geography of the office for which this position is posted. Actual compensation will be based upon work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Individuals in this role working more than 24 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in HGA’s robust benefit programs which include an annual bonus and success sharing bonus program, 401(k) guaranteed contribution, paid parental leave, medical, dental and life insurance plans as well as PTO and short- and long-term disability programs. Salary Range: $124,000 - $155,500 depending on location (Mid-West or East/West Coast), qualifications and experience.

Additional Information:

At HGA, you’ll do the best work of your career. We design with impact by diving deep into the people and passions that shape every place. Empathy fuels us, curiosity drives us, and meaningful work leads to innovation. We celebrate individuality, embrace flexibility, and thrive together in the office three days a week.

Join our nationally recognized, award-winning team of architects, engineers, and interior designers — help us shape what’s next.

Learn more about us here.

Application Requirements & Instructions Please submit resume for consideration.