Engineering Design Manager Jobs in Mount Prospect, IL

Purpose of the Position

The Design Manager drives the end-to-end design process, ensuring that all deliverables meet the highest standards of quality, align with client expectations, and are completed on time and within budget. This role requires strategic coordination with Project Managers, Designers, Permit Coordinators with hands-on oversight of internal teams and external partners, and the ability to translate complex design intent into constructible, code-compliant solutions. The Design Manager serves as a critical bridge between conceptual design and field execution, maintaining accountability for both technical accuracy and operational efficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in interpreting jurisdictional requirements, contractual obligations, and organizational capabilities to deliver consistent, high-quality design outputs across all project types.

• Independently develop comprehensive telecommunications site designs leveraging field survey data, as-built documentation, satellite imagery, GIS platforms, and proprietary online resources.

• Direct the procurement, onboarding, and performance management of external vendors, subcontractors, and specialized consultants to augment internal capacity and support project deliverables.

• Apply deep knowledge of industry-standard construction methodologies, Outside Plant (OSP) telecommunications practices, and National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards to ensure design integrity and regulatory compliance.

• Serve as the primary technical liaison among engineering, design, and drafting teams, ensuring that all design requirements, scope changes, and client directives are clearly communicated and executed without ambiguity.

• Conduct thorough research and due diligence to verify that all designs conform to client-specific standards, site conditions, permitting requirements, and internal operational protocols.

• Develop and maintain project tracking tools—including detailed spreadsheets, dashboards, and progress reports—to monitor milestones, control costs, and ensure on-time delivery of all design packages.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of drafting professionals through the full design lifecycle, from initial concept development through QA/QC review and final deliverable submission.

• Partner closely with clients, internal engineering staff, and permitting teams to uphold quality standards, ensure technical accuracy, and proactively resolve design conflicts.

• Review fiber optic and utility designs, construction drawings, and material specifications across multiple concurrent projects to ensure compliance with industry standards and consistency in execution.

• Establish and enforce quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures to guarantee that all drawings are thoroughly reviewed, properly approved, and accurately archived in compliance with company and client protocols.

• Coordinate with Comcast engineering and construction teams to ensure that design packages meet Comcast-specific technical standards, construction specifications, and permitting requirements for HFC and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network builds.

• Collaborate with CommScope product and solutions teams to integrate CommScope-specified equipment, hardware, and connectivity solutions into project designs, ensuring compatibility with client network architectures and adherence to manufacturer installation guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Superior organizational, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse stakeholders at all levels.

• Demonstrated experience in plan review processes and a strong familiarity with municipal and utility inspection workflows.

• Proven ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines without compromising quality.

• Adept at operating both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams across geographically dispersed project sites.

• Track record of providing technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to junior designers and drafting staff.

• Self-motivated professional with a results-driven mindset and a genuine commitment to team success and continuous improvement.

• Exceptional attention to detail with a disciplined approach to maintaining quality control across all outgoing design products and deliverables.

• Willingness and ability to travel to client offices and project sites, including consecutive-day travel as project demands require.

• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.

Technical Proficiency Requirements

• Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams); advanced familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam Revu, and standard digital image formats.

• Proficient in AutoCAD and GIS-based spatial design platforms including ArcGIS, QGIS, IQGEO, and Vetro, as well as other industry-relevant design software.

• Working knowledge of project management and asset tracking platforms such as Sitetracker is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated experience managing and maintaining project databases, including accurate uploading, downloading, and version control of project documentation and design data.

• Familiarity with Comcast-specific design tools, portals, and submittal workflows is a significant advantage.

• Experience specifying and incorporating CommScope fiber distribution, connectivity, and enclosure products within OSP and ISP design packages is preferred.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and progressive industry experience in telecommunications design or construction.

• Advanced understanding of design principles across Outside Plant (OSP) and Inside Plant (ISP) telecommunications standards for aerial, buried, and underground fiber and copper environments, including extensive knowledge of National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards.

• 5–10 years of progressively responsible experience in telecommunications design, site development, and engineering support, with a preference for candidates who have delivered design packages for major service providers such as Comcast.

• 1–3 years of demonstrated experience in team leadership, supervisory responsibilities, or project management within a design or engineering environment.

• Prior experience working with CommScope product lines, specifications, and design integration is highly valued.