Senior Technical Design Manager, Federal Programs

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

We are seeking a Technical Engineering Design Manager who can lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers through the full lifecycle of complex, first-of-its-kind design-build programs. We are currently working on projects and have openings available to support the modernization of Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration facilities contributing to the mission of defending the United States and supporting the nation's nuclear security enterprise. If this type of patriotic work motivates you, please fill out an application and send in a resume.

Job Summary:

The Technical Engineering Design Manager serves as the technical and coordination lead for large, multidisciplinary design-build programs, with particular emphasis on secure, high-hazard, first-of-its-kind facilities where no directly comparable government template exists. The position's responsibilities primarily focus on directing the work of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, civil, process, security, and environmental engineering leads from initial process/concept development through construction-ready design and into engineering support during construction.

This role requires providing technical leadership across progressive design milestones (concept, 35%, 65%, 95%, final), managing cross-disciplinary coordination and conflict resolution, and serving as the primary technical point of contact between the design team and the client's own engineering and program stakeholders. Qualified candidates will meet with clients, discipline leads, security/classification authorities, code officials, and construction teams to resolve complex, cross-disciplinary technical issues and develop effective working relationships across a program's full lifecycle. The project clientele includes Federal Government (DOE/NNSA), Department of Defense, national laboratory-adjacent programs, and other complex institutional and industrial facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, civil, process, environmental, and security engineering leads through all phases of design development.
• Direct the translation of client mission requirements, process information, and security/hazard classification criteria (e.g., ICD 705, IBC H-2) into a coordinated Basis of Design and progressive design packages.
• Manage design-phase value engineering, constructability review, material selection, and long-lead item identification processes across all disciplines.
• Resolve cross-disciplinary design conflicts (e.g., between security zoning and life-safety egress, or between structural and process utility routing) before they reach construction.
• Oversee design quality control and progressive design review/comment-resolution cycles (15%, 35%, 65%, 95%, final).
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact with the client's process engineering, security, and program management stakeholders.
• Coordinate with construction management, ESDC, and commissioning teams to ensure design intent is carried through into field execution.
• Manage design schedule, staffing allocation, and budget performance across all engineering disciplines on the program.
• Prepare and present technical basis-of-estimate justifications, design narratives, and risk assessments to support client cost and schedule reviews.
• Oversee and mentor discipline leads and their teams, providing technical guidance and quality oversight.
• Support proposal development, technical writing, and client presentations for new and existing work.
• Assist in business development, including client relationship management and participation in project interviews.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, Architectural, or a related Engineering discipline.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• A minimum of 15 years of design experience, including significant experience on secure, high-hazard, or federal government facility programs.
• A minimum of 5 years of project/program management experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Direct experience with design-build execution models and progressive design development (concept through construction-ready/IFC).
• Working knowledge of ICD 705, IBC hazardous occupancy classifications (H-2 or comparable), and DOE/NNSA facility requirements, or a demonstrated ability to rapidly develop this expertise.
• Experience coordinating with security, classification, and accreditation authorities on federal programs.

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent work ethic, attitude, and sound engineering judgment under ambiguity.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to translate complex, cross-disciplinary technical issues for both engineering teams and client leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and hold accountable a multidisciplinary team of senior and junior engineers.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to plan, balance, and prioritize competing design deliverables and deadlines across multiple disciplines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with BIM/CAD coordination platforms (Revit, AutoCAD) and MS Office; familiarity with project scheduling and cost-tracking tools.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any security clearance required by assigned programs.
• Ability to travel.

Location : Baltimore, MD or Washington, DC

Type : Full-Time

Travel : 10%-20%

Compensation:

The expected base salary range for this role is $180,000-$200,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible forperformance-based bonuses and a comprehensiveU.S. basedbenefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here .

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Architectural Engineering Technology or related field.

Bachelors or better in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Bachelors or better in Structural Engineering or related field.

Experience

Required

5 years:

5 years:

A minimum of 5 years of project/program management experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.

15 years:

15 years:

A minimum of 15 years of design experience, including significant experience on secure, high-hazard, or federal government facility programs.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Professional Engineer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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