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Engineering Design Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Independently manage engineering design aspects of a project with minimal assistance or guidance * Review contract documents to be familiar with project requirements * Attend project meetings as ...

Independently manage engineering design aspects of a project with minimal assistance or guidance * Review contract documents to be familiar with project requirements * Attend project meetings as ...

Independently manage engineering design aspects of a project with minimal assistance or guidance * Review contract documents to be familiar with project requirements * Attend project meetings as ...

Independently manage engineering design aspects of a project with minimal assistance or guidance * Review contract documents to be familiar with project requirements * Attend project meetings as ...

Independently manage engineering design aspects of a project with minimal assistance or guidance * Review contract documents to be familiar with project requirements * Attend project meetings as ...

Independently manage engineering design aspects of a project with minimal assistance or guidance * Review contract documents to be familiar with project requirements * Attend project meetings as ...

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Showing results 1-20

Engineering Design Manager information

See Virginia salary details

$52K

$133.3K

$205.7K

How much do engineering design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering design manager in Virginia is $133,313.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,100.00 and $148,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Engineering Design Manager vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEngineering Design ManagerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, often with management certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, oversees projects, collaborates with cross-functional departmentsDesigns, analyzes, and tests mechanical systems, often working in labs or on-site
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and engineering firms for leadership rolesCommon in product design, manufacturing, and R&D sectors

The Engineering Design Manager focuses on leading design teams and managing projects, requiring leadership skills and project management experience. In contrast, Mechanical Engineers are involved in the technical design and analysis of mechanical systems. Both roles often require similar engineering credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities.

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

To thrive as an Engineering Design Manager, you need a strong background in engineering principles, project management, and team leadership, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, PLM systems, and certifications such as PMP or PE are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to inspire and coordinate multidisciplinary teams make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering innovative design solutions, meeting project deadlines, and ensuring effective collaboration across the organization.

What does an Engineering Design Manager do?

An Engineering Design Manager oversees the design process for engineering projects, coordinating teams of engineers and designers to ensure that project goals are met efficiently and effectively. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and reviewing design work, ensuring compliance with industry standards and client requirements. Additionally, they often liaise with clients, stakeholders, and other departments to align the design vision with project specifications and timelines. Their leadership is crucial in solving technical challenges and delivering innovative solutions within budget.

What are the main challenges an Engineering Design Manager faces when balancing project deadlines with innovation?

Engineering Design Managers often need to ensure that their teams deliver high-quality designs within tight project timelines while also encouraging creativity and innovation. One of the main challenges is managing stakeholder expectations and resource constraints, as pushing for innovative solutions can sometimes require more time and iterative testing. Effective communication, prioritization, and fostering a collaborative environment help address these challenges, ensuring that projects remain on schedule without stifling new ideas. Managers frequently coordinate between engineering teams, clients, and other departments to align goals and keep projects moving forward.

What Does an Engineering Design Manager Do?

The job duties of an engineering design manager include overseeing a team of engineers and CAD designers on engineering projects. In addition to providing leadership to staff, in this career, you manage the budget planning for each project, work with concept development, and ensure that plans meet company or client needs and engineering standards. You offer guidance throughout the design process and inspect and sign off on design plans to ensure that they meet quality standards. As a manager, you are also responsible for providing effective staffing strategies and workflow.

What job categories do people searching Engineering Design Manager jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Engineering Design Manager jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Engineering Design Manager jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Engineering Design Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Engineering Design Manager job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,313 per year, or $64.1 per hour.
Project/Production Design Manager - Water/Wastewater

Project/Production Design Manager - Water/Wastewater

Dewberry

Glen Allen, VA

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Dewberry rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Dewberry’s Mid-Atlantic Water Group is seeking a Project/Production Design Manager - Water/Wastewater in our Richmond, VA office to manage water/wastewater projects for public utility clients. This is an opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join a team of energetic, highly engaged professionals in Dewberry’s growing Water Market Segment. The Production/Design Manager is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of design production standards for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role provides technical leadership for process mechanical and linear projects, oversees the management, updating, and education of design software standards, and supports project teams using AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD ReCap, and AutoCAD Construction Cloud (ACC).

The position works closely with engineers, designers, discipline leads, and project managers to ensure consistent, high-quality deliverables while promoting collaboration, staff development, and workshare across water/wastewater offices and practice groups.

Our water practice delivers high-quality, complex projects for top-tier water clients across the country. By combining strong local relationships with national expertise, strategic market focus, and innovative delivery approaches, our people perform meaningful work while shaping the future of water infrastructure. We’re looking for professionals who want to grow with us and help improve the water infrastructure for their communities.

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.


  • Develop, maintain, and update firmwide CAD/BIM standards, templates, workflows, and best practices for water and wastewater projects.
  • Serve as the primary technical authority for Civil 3D, Revit, Plant 3D, ReCap, and ACC as applied to:
    • Linear infrastructure (pipelines, force mains, conveyance systems)
    • Process mechanical systems (treatment facilities, pump stations, piping, and equipment layouts)
  • Ensure compliance with internal standards, industry guidelines, and client requirements across all design deliverables.
  • Evaluate emerging design tools, software enhancements, and workflows; recommend improvements to increase efficiency and consistency.
  • Create, manage, and update water and wastewater BIM models for water and wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, water storage tanks, and other similar facilities.
  • Support project teams in establishing production plans, model coordination workflows, and deliverable schedules.
  • Provide oversight and guidance to ensure accurate, constructible, and coordinated drawings and models.
  • Act as the lead for coordinating discipline models for design conflict resolution and clash-free designs.
  • Utilize LiDAR point cloud data using ReCap as applicable per project in the development of BIM models and existing conditions documentation.
  • Participate in internal quality reviews focused on CAD/BIM execution, model integrity, and adherence to standards.
  • Assist project managers and discipline leads in resolving production challenges and resource constraints.
  • Coordinate with other water/wastewater offices and technical groups to support workshare, resource balancing, and standardized production approaches.
  • Facilitate collaboration between project teams across locations to ensure consistent execution and efficient use of staff.
  • Act as a liaison between engineering, design, and digital delivery teams to align project needs and production capabilities.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Environmental Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
  • 15+ years of experience in water/wastewater infrastructure design and production, including leadership or production oversight roles.
  • Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD ReCap, and AutoCAD Construction Cloud in a water/wastewater context.
  • Strong understanding of BIM/CAD standards, model coordination, and multi-discipline design integration.
  • Demonstrated experience training and mentoring engineers and designers.
  • Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to work across offices, time zones, and technical disciplines to promote workshare and consistency.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

  • Experience developing firmwide CAD/BIM standards and implementation plans.
  • Familiarity with water and wastewater treatment process design and linear utility systems.
  • Experience supporting large, multi-office or multi-discipline project teams.
  • Knowledge of digital delivery, BIM execution plans, and model-based workflows.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Dewberry we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for our employees. So if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the position description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

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Notice to Third Party Recruiters:  Dewberry only compensates job placement recruiters that have a valid Dewberry-approved written agreement in place for recruiting services. Dewberry does not compensate third party recruiters for unsolicited job placement candidate information.



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