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Design Project Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

We are currently seeking a Project Manager to help grow our Bridge Design Team in Reston, Virginia. Specifically, we are looking for an experienced Project Manager to support our clients throughout ...

We are currently seeking a Project Manager to help grow our Bridge Design Team in Reston, Virginia. Specifically, we are looking for an experienced Project Manager to support our clients throughout ...

We are currently seeking a Project Manager to help grow our Bridge Design Team in Reston, Virginia. Specifically, we are looking for an experienced Project Manager to support our clients throughout ...

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Design Project Manager information

See Washington salary details

$44.2K

$110K

$190.3K

How much do design project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for design project manager in Washington is $110,001.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,700.00 and $133,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paid design job?

The highest paid design jobs are often executive roles such as Creative Director or Chief Design Officer, with salaries reaching into the high six or seven figures for experienced professionals in large organizations. Specialized fields like UX/UI design, industrial design, and design consulting can also offer high compensation, especially with advanced skills and certifications.

What Is a Design Project Manager?

Design project managers oversee one or a group of creative projects for a client. They are often found working on interior design efforts and online web design projects. As a design project manager, your job duties include establishing the project schedule, monitoring the budget, and motivating a team of creative professionals. The qualifications to pursue a career as a design project manager include a bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design, or business management and several years of industry experience.

What does a design project manager do?

A design project manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of design projects, coordinating between clients, designers, and other stakeholders. They manage timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring projects meet quality standards and deadlines, often using tools like project management software. Strong communication, organizational skills, and knowledge of design processes are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Project Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Project Manager, you need expertise in project management methodologies, design principles, and a relevant degree, often paired with experience in design or architecture fields. Familiarity with project management tools (such as Asana, Trello, or MS Project), design software (like Adobe Creative Suite), and certifications such as PMP or Agile are often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help manage teams, stakeholders, and project challenges effectively. These competencies ensure projects are delivered on time, meet quality standards, and align with client or organizational goals.

What's the highest paying PM job?

The highest paying project management roles are often in industries like technology, finance, and engineering, with senior positions such as Program Manager or Portfolio Manager typically earning the most. These roles usually require extensive experience, certifications like PMP or PgMP, and strong leadership skills. Salaries can exceed $150,000 annually, especially in large organizations or high-cost regions.

What is the difference between Design Project Manager vs Interior Designer?

AspectDesign Project ManagerInterior Designer
CredentialsProject management certifications, design backgroundInterior design degree, licensing (if applicable)
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, design firms, client meetingsShowrooms, clients' homes, design studios
Industry UsageConstruction, architecture, design firmsResidential, commercial interior design
Primary FocusManaging design projects, timelines, budgetsCreating interior spaces, aesthetics, functionality

The main difference is that a Design Project Manager oversees the entire project process, coordinating teams and managing timelines, while an Interior Designer focuses on designing and decorating interior spaces. Both roles require design knowledge, but their responsibilities and daily tasks differ significantly.

How does a Design Project Manager typically coordinate collaboration between design teams and other departments?

A Design Project Manager acts as a central point of communication, ensuring that design teams work closely with stakeholders such as marketing, engineering, and product management. They regularly hold meetings to align project goals, clarify requirements, and address any roadblocks, fostering a collaborative environment. By managing timelines and expectations across departments, they help ensure that design deliverables integrate seamlessly with larger organizational objectives. This role often requires balancing creative vision with practical constraints from other teams, making strong communication and negotiation skills essential.

What are the 4 types of project managers?

In project management, four common types are functional, projectized, matrix, and hybrid managers. Functional managers work within specific departments, projectized managers lead dedicated project teams, matrix managers balance both functional and project responsibilities, and hybrid managers combine elements of these approaches. Each type requires different skills and organizational structures to effectively oversee projects, including design projects managed by professionals with expertise in planning, communication, and resource allocation.
What are popular job titles related to Design Project Manager jobs in Washington? For Design Project Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Design Project Manager jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Design Project Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Design Project Manager job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,001 per year, or $52.9 per hour.
Project Manager - Water & Sewer Project Design Reviews

Project Manager - Water & Sewer Project Design Reviews

WSSC Water

Laurel, MD • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Position Information
Functional Title Project Manager - Water & Sewer Project Design Reviews Recruitment Category Type Standard Functional Category Engineering & Construction Grade EG.15 FLSA Status Exempt Requisition Number 26-0258 Number of Vacancies 2 Job Level Non-Management Job Code N/A Job Description Summary Organization Name Development Services Reports to Section Manager, Development Design; Section Manager, Development or Supervisor, Project Management Full or Part Time Full Time If Part Time how many hours per week Regular or Temporary Regular Position End Date (if temporary) Work Schedule
Hybrid Schedule - M-F 8-5PM
Position Location Laurel
Position Summary Information
General Summary
The Project Manager serves as the lead reviewer in all development services division-built designs and WSSC Water-built designs. The Project Manager will review water and sewer extension project designs and provide support during the construction phase, calculating hydraulic adequacy of water and sewer mains, reviewing pump station design and preliminary development plans.
Essential Functions
  • Manages and reviews developer-built water and sewer design projects for design adequacy, constructability, maintainability, cost effectiveness and environmental impact and provides support during construction
  • Performs hydraulic reviews and computations, considering existing and future demands/flows to determine pipe sizing and alignments and available capacity of existing water and sewer systems
  • Performs and interprets hydraulic analyses for basic and moderate-level hydraulic planning analysis studies, amendment requests, onsite reviews, preliminary plans, service category change requests, rezoning requests and other types of hydraulic review, with advancement to complex level reviews
  • Resolves design and constructability conflicts between WSSC Water project managers and applicants and/or applicant's engineer
  • Performs site utility reviews and other functions related to the on-site process
  • Reviews preliminary subdivision plans, detailed site plans, and conceptual water and sewer layouts for developer-built projects
  • Conducts pre-design meetings with applicants and their engineers
  • Schedules and represents the Commission in meetings with customers, including developers, engineers, inspectors, county and regional planning organizations and state authorities
  • Develops cost estimates for water and sewer utility projects
  • Acquires necessary permits for some projects
  • Reviews pump station plans, pump station details, pump sizing calculations and pump station layouts
  • Performs wastewater pump station and force main calculations
  • Tracks projects and reports on project quality and cycle time
  • Determines compatibility of projects with capital improvement program and other design requirements
  • Works with applicants to prepare and process credit/reimbursement agreements and provides review assistance to Internal Auditor during final audit of incurred costs
  • Provides assistance in the completion of the capital improvement program
  • Develops, designs, and provides training for WSSC Water Built Projects and Developer Built Projects
  • Provides overall monitoring and coordination of project activities to meet time and cost parameters
Other Functions
  • Acts as the Section Manager in their absence
  • Performs other related duties as required
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Business casual office environment
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
  • Knowledge of water and sewer design including applying standards and specifications
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of water and sewer planning, pipeline design and construction work, underground utility construction and inspection, engineering design, and environmental control
  • Ability to read water and sewer plans to evaluate the adequacy of design based on engineering principles
  • Ability to review a complex water/sewer project for adequacy and constructability
  • Ability to efficiently manage numerous projects including large, high profile and complex projects that involve multiple development parts, large mains and pressure reducing valves and special designs
  • Good interpersonal skills and leadership skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Knowledge of design of pressure sewer systems and their components
  • Knowledge of pump stations design and/or construction
  • Knowledge of capital improvement projects for water and sewer utilities
  • Knowledge of design of pressure sewer systems and their components, pressure zones and PRV function and the design of appropriate tunneling sizes and techniques
  • Knowledge of development processes and charges by utilities for capital construction
  • Determining appropriate tunneling sizes and techniques
  • Ability to represent the Commission at meetings with outside organizations
  • Ability to work closely with and communicate effectively other Division members, utility agencies, and local, regional, and state authorities
  • Ability to develop cost estimates for water and sewer utility projects
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree
  • 5+ years of engineering-related experience, including reading plans with profiles, design work, design review, constructability review, hydraulic review, utility construction
  • 2+ years of prioritizing, tracking and coordinating multiple projects

OR
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • 9+ years of engineering-related experience, including reading plans with profiles, design work, design review, constructability review, hydraulic review, utility construction
  • 2+ years of prioritizing, tracking and coordinating multiple projects
Additional Requirements
  • Completion of the WSSC Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually
  • Experience working with customers and public
Preferences
  • Experience and training performing water and sewer design and/or constructability reviews
  • Experience performing hydraulic reviews of water distribution and sewer collection systems
  • Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland. If candidate has PE license in another state, candidate must obtain Maryland registration within 12 months of hire or transfer
  • Experience using pertinent software applications such as CADD, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, GIS, water and sewer modeling software such as Bentley WaterGEMS, Bentley SewerGEMS, WaterCAD or SewerCAD.
Salary 108,233 - $184,288
Posting Detail Information
EEO Statement
WSSC Water is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
Reasonable Accommodations: WSSC Water provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants who require assistance or an accommodation during the application or hiring process should contact us atada@wsscwater.com
Close Date 07/03/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants Additional Information
All applicants selected will be subject to drug screening and a background check/verification.
Eligible applicants will be reviewed for consideration after 7/3/26