Design Associate Jobs in Whitefish, MT (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for a Design Manager to join our growing team. If you have a passion for mass timber, a deep technical background in 3D modeling, and the leadership skills to guide a talented team at the forefront of sustainable construction, this role is for you.
In this pivotal role, you will lead and mentor a team of designer-detailers within our Engineering and Design department. You will ensure our complex mass timber projects are delivered with absolute accuracy, on schedule, and to our industry-leading standards.
Location: Columbia Falls, MT / Dothan, AL / Remote
Reporting To: Vice President of Engineering & Design
What You Will Do
Lead and Mentor: Direct, resource, and manage a high-performing design team, assigning weekly workloads, setting clear performance standards, and driving internal training and development.
Oversee Technical Detailing: Own the technical execution of our mass timber detailing (CLT, Glulam, and GLT) and miscellaneous steel components, ensuring strict adherence to our design standards manual.
Drive Quality & Technology: Develop and enforce rigorous quality control measures at every stage of project delivery. Champion the selection and implementation of advanced software, AI, and emerging technologies to boost accuracy and efficiency.
Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Represent the design team across project management, engineering, CNC programming, and production meetings to streamline the entire workflow from screen to factory floor.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Design Manager is accountable for leading a team of designer-detailers that support the Engineering and Design department, ensuring that Mass Timber projects are delivered to our high-level standards, accurate, and in a timely manner. The Design Manager will report to the Director of Engineering & Design and collaborate with our Engineering Team, CNC Programming Team, Project Manager Team, and Production Team.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the design team personnel, which includes but may not be limited to the following:
  • Assign weekly workload and distribute projects.
  • Support conflict resolution both internally and externally.
  • Hold team accountable for job description and following standards.
• Manage all technical detailing aspects of the design department which include, but may not be limited to the following:
  • Mass Timber Detailing: CLT, Glulam and GLT
  • Miscellaneous Steel Detailing
  • Design standards manual
  • Software selection and implementation
• Ensure design team personnel are trained and are following established SOP’s.
• Ensure quality control measures and tools are developed and implemented at every stage of the project delivery process.
• Ensure that the design aspects of a project are delivered on schedule and with a high level of service.
• Ensure deliveries to internal and external stakeholders are properly developed, documented and complete.
• Represent the Design Team in Project, Project Management and Production meetings.
• Manage and implement software, AI and other technologies to increase efficiencies and accuracy of work product.
• Report metrics on the condition of the department (schedules, active workload, financials, etc.)

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the management of Smartlam’s external design and detailing teams.
• Support the training effort of junior designers.
• Support the design team with fabrication modeling and detailing in 2D/3D.
• Support the design team with the development of mass timber submittals, production documents and field-use set documents.
• Research and advocate for best software and tools to be used for various design and detailing tasks.
• Support the management and tracking of internal issue logs, project issue logs and RFI’s.
• Support the implementation and completeness of quality control reviews for every stage of a project and production document development.
• Support design team with the management of project scope, schedule, priorities and external stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of project specific design fee estimations and scheduling, as necessary.
• Support effort to maintain drafting standards for ALL drafting software platforms being utilized.
• Support sales team with preliminary models for project specific estimates, as necessary (occasional).
• Support production team with process improvements and workflow between departments (occasional).

Required Skills & Experience

• 2 year Associate Degree in Computer Aided Drafting or Equivalent
• 5+ years experience in mass timber building and manufacturing drafting
• Proficient in 3D and 2D CadWork production software
• Experience with other 3D software and BIM software (Revit, Rhino, Navisworks, etc.)
• Understanding of building construction and reading/interpreting construction drawings.
• Understanding of mass timber manufacturing
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of products
• Highly organized and detailed.
• Able to work well with and manage others in a team environment.

This role description provides an overview of key responsibilities and requirements but does not list every possible duty or expectation. Management may adjust responsibilities as needed. Americans with Disabilities; Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity
SmartLam North America is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws regarding discrimination. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other protected status.