Design Manager – Construction

The Efficiency Network, Inc. (TEN)is an independent energy-focused design/build contractor that provides building infrastructure upgrades and energy projectsto state, local, and federal government, K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, and large commercial and industrial customers. We help our clients address deferred maintenance, invest in infrastructure, improve the efficiency and sustainability of their buildings, and make their operations more resilient.

TEN applies state of the art technology, engineering, construction and project management concepts and practices, along with creative financing and ownership solutions, to deliver projects quickly and efficiently.

TEN is part of the Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc. family of companies.

Summary:Reporting to TEN’s Vice President, Engineering, the Design Manager is responsible for overseeing the design during project development, final design, and supporting the delivery of multi-disciplined construction projects. This role ensures that all design outputs meet technical, regulatory, and quality standards while aligning with project objectives and client requirements. The Design Manager will collaborate closely with internal development, engineering, and construction teams while directing and managing external design professionals (architects, engineers, and subconsultants) to translate conceptual designs into executable plan documents and constructable project strategies. The Design Manager plays a key role in ensuring that projects are designed in a safe and profitable manner and all associated project risks are identified and mitigated.

Location: The successful candidate can work remotely if situated in the geographies where TEN is actively pursuing work including Eastern/Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Northern Virginia or a hybrid in-person 3 days per week at TEN’s Headquarters, if situated in the Pittsburgh, PA region. Frequent Customer and subconsultant on-site meetings are a requirement for the role. The candidate is expected to work at TEN’s headquarters at least once per month.

Responsibilities:

Design Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and manage the overall design process for design-build projects from pursuit through project closeout.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, and specialty designers to ensure cohesive and integrated designs.
• Facilitate design charrettes, workshops, and collaborative sessions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure design solutions meet functional, aesthetic, technical, and regulatory requirements.

Design Build Integration

• Align design development with construction means, methods, sequencing, and logistics.
• Partner closely with preconstruction and operations teams to ensure constructability, schedule alignment, and cost effectiveness to manage known and unknown risks.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients regarding design related matters.
• Translate client goals and performance requirements into clear design direction.
• Present design concepts, alternatives, and recommendations to owners and executive stakeholders.

Cost, Schedule & Risk Management

• Support target value design and cost modeling throughout design development with the assistance of subcontracting and trades partners.
• Monitor design progress to ensure alignment with project budgets and milestone schedules.
• Identify design related risks early and develop mitigation strategies in collaboration with project teams.

Quality & Compliance

• Establish and enforce design quality standards and review processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, regulations, and contract requirements.
• Oversee design reviews, constructability reviews, and interdisciplinary coordination checks.

Preconstruction & Pursuit Support

• Support design-build pursuits, including proposal development, interviews, and conceptual design.
• Participate in pursuit strategy, team selection, and design visioning.
• Assist with scope definition and design fee negotiations.

Construction Phase Design Oversight

• Serve as the primary design authority during construction, providing technical leadership and commercial support to project managers, superintendents, and field teams.
• Review and respond to requests for information (RFIs), submittals, and design clarifications with a focus on minimizing commercial exposure and avoiding schedule disruption.
• Evaluate proposed field changes, substitutions, and value engineering initiatives for technical feasibility, constructability, cost impact, risk allocation, and contract compliance.
• Lead coordination with architects, engineers, design-assist partners, and subcontractors to negotiate and resolve design-related issues and changes encountered during construction and ensure that changes are accurately incorporated into revised documents and as-built records, maintaining alignment with contract requirements.
• Quality Control and monitor construction activities for adherence to approved design documents.
• Support commissioning, testing, and closeout activities.
• Maintain alignment between design intent, construction execution, and financial performance, actively supporting margin protection, schedule adherence, change management, and dispute avoidance.

Education and experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience; 7+ years of work experience in managing design development, estimating, and commercial support within the building construction industry.
• Licensed Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE) preferred
• Design-Build Professional Certification from Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) preferred

Skills/Abilities:

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of the designbuild delivery process.
• Advanced proficiency in CAD/BIM platforms and design standards.
• Strong working knowledge of building codes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Knowledge of building systems, construction methods, and sequencing.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and design narratives.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets, Bluebeam, Procore, Trane 3D, Carrier HAP software

Competencies

• Demonstrated success in commercial negotiations with owners, consultants, and trade partners.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to balance technical and commercial priorities.
• Proven leadership managing multidisciplinary design teams in Design-Build environments.
• Strong collaborative leadership and facilitation skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to influence decisionmaking across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strategic mindset with strong problemsolving and analytical skills.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of the employment relationship, without discrimination because of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran or any other unlawful basis, as defined by applicable law, and fostering a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and retaliation. This policy affects decisions including, but not limited to, hiring, compensation, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, opportunities for promotion, transfer, layoffs, return from a layoff, training and development, and other privileges of employment. An integral part of Duquesne Light Holdings’ commitment is to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning equal employment and affirmative action.

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us at HR@duqlight.com and describe the specific accommodation requested for a disability-related limitation.