Project Manager - Design

Smart Tech Contracting delivers turnkey BAS & EPMS solutions for mission-critical colocation and hyperscale data centers operating at national program scale. As a Master Systems Integrator (MSI), we unify controls construction (DDC, PLC, SCADA) with software engineering, optimized graphics / UI standards, and program-level governance.
Complex integrations are delivered cleanly, consistently, and fast. Our teams thrive in high-stakes environments where quality control and uptime matters, schedules are compressed, and coordination is everything.
Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.
Position Title: Project Manager - Design
Position Location: Remote - work virtually from anywhere in the United States (Periodic travel for client meetings, design workshops, and project coordination required)
JOB SUMMARY
The Project Manager - Design is responsible for end-to-end delivery of assigned Building Automation System (BAS) and Electrical Power Monitoring System (EPMS) design projects supporting mission-critical and hyperscale data center facilities as an MEP consultant.
This role owns project scope, schedule, financial performance, design coordination, risk management, and client communication from project kickoff through design development and construction administration. The Project Manager works closely with Smart Tech Contracting Control Systems engineers, client teams, architects, Engineers of Record, and consultant partners responsible for other portions of the MEP design. Primary clients for this role are architecture and engineering (AE) firms that deliver programs / projects direct to the owner, with Smart Tech Contracting engaged as their BAS/EPMS design subconsultant. Depending on the project, this role also interfaces with owners, general contractors, and controls contractors.
The Project Manager serves as the primary point of accountability for assigned projects and operates with a high degree of independence while aligning with departmental standards, processes, and leadership direction. This role is expected to anticipate risk, drive decisions, and protect design quality, schedule, client satisfaction, and margin.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Design Project Execution & Delivery (45%)
Own planning, execution, and delivery of assigned BAS and EPMS design projects from kickoff through construction administration
Lead project initiation activities including scope review, contract requirements, project setup, deliverable schedules, staffing needs, and execution planning
Manage design milestones across applicable phases including concept design, SD, DD, IFP/IFC, bid support, and construction administration
Coordinate Smart Tech engineers and MEP consultant partners to ensure timely completion of deliverables
Track and coordinate design documentation including basis of design, sequences of operation, points and alarm lists, system architecture / riser diagrams, specifications, schedules, and integration requirements
Coordinate design reviews, page turns, interdisciplinary reviews, and QA/QC activities
Manage RFIs, submittal reviews, design clarifications, and other construction-administration activities within project scope
Identify scope gaps, design conflicts, and coordination issues and drive them to resolution while ensuring deliverables meet client standards, applicable codes, contract requirements, and departmental quality expectations
Support development of BAS/EPMS-specific input to Owner Project Requirements (OPR) and early space-planning / schematic design efforts in coordination with the AE’s basis of design
Represent Smart Tech Contracting at site visits, including existing-condition surveys and BAS/EPMS-related punch-list walkthroughs
Coordinate BAS/EPMS scope interfaces with other MEP subconsultants, electrical and mechanical engineers, and controls subcontractors as Smart Tech’s design-side point of contact
Coordinate resource and material forecasting for assigned design scope
Coordinate or oversee start-up, cutover, pre-functional / functional testing, and BAS/EPMS project closeout activities during construction administration
Financial & Change Management (20%)
Own project budgets, forecasts, profitability, and financial performance
Monitor labor utilization, consultant costs, project burn, and remaining effort against budget
Maintain accurate project forecasts and communicate financial risks to leadership
Identify changes in scope and prepare additional-service proposals and change-order documentation
Support client negotiations related to scope, schedule, fees, and contract adjustments while protecting design quality and client satisfaction
Develop and maintain schedules of value / cost schedules to support client progress billing
Evaluate controls-subcontractor and vendor proposals during procurement and construction administration and provide award recommendations where applicable
Schedule & Risk Management (15%)
Develop and maintain project schedules aligned with client and overall MEP design milestones
Track design deliverables, dependencies, decisions, reviews, and approvals
Identify schedule, staffing, scope, technical, and commercial risks and develop appropriate mitigation plans
Coordinate resource needs with engineering and department leadership and escalate significant risks, client concerns, or delivery constraints as appropriate
Client & Stakeholder Management (15%)
Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact for assigned projects
Lead project meetings with clients, architects, MEP consultants, Engineers of Record, internal engineering teams, and other project stakeholders
Communicate project status, financial performance, schedule, risks, technical decisions, and action items clearly and professionally
Maintain strong working relationships with client teams and consultant partners to support successful delivery and repeat business
Promote Smart Tech Contracting ’s BAS/EPMS design capabilities to AE firms, owners, and industry partners; support marketing materials and firm positioning within the design community
Identify and develop new project opportunities with existing AE and client relationships to support account growth
Support proposal development, project expansions, and additional-service opportunities and represent Smart Tech Contracting professionally as an MEP design consultant
Process Improvement & Administration (5%)
Maintain accurate project documentation, meeting minutes, action logs, schedules, forecasts, and status reports
Utilize Smartsheet and other project-management tools to provide transparency into project performance
Support departmental standards, templates, lessons learned, and best-practice libraries
Maintain project contract administration records; manage personal and project hours using company tools
Leverage AI and emerging technologies where appropriate to improve project planning, reporting, workflow efficiency, and consistency
Technology, Digital Tools & AI-Enabled Efficiency
Identify opportunities to apply AI-enabled tools and workflow automation across design documentation, forecasting, and quality processes for BAS/EPMS projects
Support adoption of Smart Tech Contracting ’s SmartTech.ai platform and related tools to strengthen design readiness, QA/QC, and project controls
Collaborate with the Special Projects & Innovation (SPI) team to pilot and roll out emerging technologies that align with departmental standards for data security, privacy, and operational integrity
Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in the use of technology to optimize design delivery and scalability
Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget
Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Working knowledge of MEP consulting and design-project delivery
Working knowledge of BAS/BMS and/or EPMS systems and their relationship to mechanical and electri