Design Manager

Design Manager

Overwatch is a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business, offering construction professional services, talent acquisition, and general contractor services for the mission-critical infrastructure industry. Our mission is the construction and management of state-of-the-art data centers with the precision and reliability this industry demands. From high-end engineers to seasoned professionals, we deploy the people you need to get your data center off the ground. At Overwatch, it's more than a job. It's a purpose.

The Design Manager is responsible for overseeing multidisciplinary design execution for large-scale data center construction and development projects. This role manages external architecture and engineering consultants, coordinates design deliverables, and ensures alignment with project requirements, schedules, budgets, and quality standards. Working closely with development, construction, and engineering teams, the Design Manager drives design coordination from early planning through construction administration and project delivery.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead multidisciplinary design execution across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, civil, architectural, telecom, and security disciplines.
• Manage external architects, engineers, and design consultants to ensure timely delivery of coordinated, accurate, and constructible design packages.
• Oversee design schedules, budgets, milestones, and deliverables while identifying risks and resolving coordination challenges.
• Review design documents, drawings, specifications, and submissions to ensure compliance with project requirements, engineering standards, and quality expectations.
• Coordinate design activities with development, construction, engineering, and client teams to ensure alignment between design intent and construction execution.
• Manage design changes, scope modifications, RFIs, and technical issues while evaluating impacts to project cost, schedule, and quality.
• Lead design coordination meetings, milestone reviews, and quality assurance processes while providing regular updates to project leadership and stakeholders.

Key Qualifications & Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field, or additional significant relevant working experience in lieu of degree.
• 10+ years of experience in architectural or engineering design management, with a strong background leading multidisciplinary design efforts for data centers, mission-critical facilities, or other technically complex projects.
• 3+ years of experience working on large scale Data Center projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and managing external consultants.
• Experience managing design scope, cost, schedule, and change management processes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Advanced knowledge of the data center development, design, and construction principles and practices.
• Advanced knowledge of building systems and infrastructure, including MEP, structural, civil, and architectural disciplines.

Driver's License Requirement:

For roles that require on-site presence or travel between work locations as an essential function of the position, candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver's license appropriate for the role and be eligible to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable laws.

Communication Skills:

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment, including preparing written reports and documentation, conveying information clearly to team members, clients, and stakeholders, and responding appropriately to verbal and written communications related to job duties.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This position operates primarily in an active data center construction environment, encompassing both indoor and outdoor work settings. The role requires the physical ability to perform essential job functions safely and effectively in a dynamic environment that includes ongoing construction activity and evolving site conditions. The work environment includes areas and temporary structures owned, leased, or controlled by third parties over which Overwatch may have limited or no control. Because the project remains under construction, certain areas of the site — including access routes, staging zones, and temporary structures — may not yet be fully ADA-compliant until construction is complete or those third-party areas are finalized.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk, stand, stoop, twist, bend, and climb stairs or ladders for extended periods while navigating uneven, unpaved, or obstructed terrain.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to drive between job sites and access all areas of an active construction zone, including raised platforms, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to outdoor weather conditions, dust, and construction-related noise, vibrations, and odors.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with contractors, engineers, and site personnel, and maintain situational awareness in high-activity environments.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety vests, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots, is required.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read drawings, specifications, and safety signage, and to observe site activity.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in and around active construction areas, which may include unfinished buildings, temporary field offices, staging areas, and partially completed infrastructure. These locations may contain uneven surfaces, limited accessibility, and other conditions typical of construction projects prior to final completion. Overwatch does not control and cannot modify accessibility conditions within areas, facilities, or temporary structures owned or managed by third parties.

Reasonable Accommodation:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, provided such accommodations do not create safety hazards, impede essential mobility within active work zones, or require modification of facilities not owned or controlled by Overwatch.

Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. Relocation assistance is available to support candidates transitioning to the location. OVERWATCH is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. OVERWATCH considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.