Design Project Manager

Job Description

This role leads the planning and execution of complex, multidisciplinary design projects for highly technical manufacturing and production facilities in sectors such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage, and advanced industrial. You will coordinate architectural and engineering teams, manage project schedules and budgets, and serve as a trusted advisor to clients from concept through completion. The position offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging facilities and infrastructure projects that support critical industries, while providing clear pathways for career growth into project leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of multidisciplinary design projects from initial concept through completion.

• Coordinate architectural and engineering teams throughout all phases of project development.

• Establish, manage, and track project schedules, budgets, and resource plans to meet scope and quality objectives.

• Facilitate effective coordination across technical disciplines to ensure consistency and quality in all project deliverables.

• Maintain regular, proactive communication with clients and act as a trusted advisor throughout the design process.

• Monitor project performance, identify risks and issues early, and implement corrective actions to keep projects on track.

• Manage scope changes, project documentation, and contract requirements in alignment with client expectations and firm standards.

• Support proposal development, including project scoping, scheduling, and resource planning for new opportunities.

• Contribute to client relationship development and help identify and pursue future project opportunities.

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams working on facility expansions, renovations, process improvements, greenfield developments, and capital improvement initiatives.

• Oversee coordination of technical deliverables in highly regulated environments such as GMP facilities, clean rooms, and validated production areas.

• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulatory expectations for sectors including pharmaceutical, biotech, food manufacturing, and advanced industrial.

• Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to resolve design and coordination challenges.

• Promote a collaborative, decision-driven project culture that empowers team members and supports project success.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related design discipline.

• Approximately 5+ years of project management experience within an architecture, engineering, consulting, or design-focused firm.

• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and coordinating technical deliverables.

• Strong understanding of project budgeting, scheduling, and resource management in a professional design environment.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences.

• Strong leadership capabilities with a track record of guiding teams and driving project outcomes.

• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail in managing multiple concurrent projects.

• Hands-on project management experience in sectors such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food manufacturing, or advanced industrial facilities.

• Experience working with or within GMP environments, clean rooms, and validated production facilities.

• Ability to identify project risks and implement effective mitigation strategies to maintain schedule and budget.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field.

• Experience in design engineering for manufacturing, production, or processing facilities.

• Familiarity with validation practices and regulatory expectations in GMP and FDA-regulated environments.

• Proficiency with design and documentation tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and related software.

• Experience supporting proposal efforts and business development activities for design or consulting projects.

• Exposure to clean room design and operation within pharmaceutical, biotech, or biologics manufacturing.

• Experience collaborating with or designing for veterinary and biologics manufacturers.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment and adapt to evolving project requirements.

• Interest in long-term career growth into project leadership roles.

Work Environment

This position is based 100% in-office in a fast-paced, collaborative engineering and design environment. You will work closely with architects, engineers, clients, and project stakeholders while managing multiple concurrent projects. The culture emphasizes teamwork, open communication, and empowering team members to make decisions, build strong client relationships, and drive project success. The work focuses on technically complex facilities and infrastructure projects in regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food manufacturing, and advanced industrial production, often involving GMP environments, clean rooms, and validated processes. The setting is professional, with regular interaction across multidisciplinary teams and executive-level stakeholders, and offers a stable project backlog with strong long-term career potential.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Omaha, NE.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $150000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Omaha,NE.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.