Director - Design Engineering

The Efficiency Network, Inc. (TEN) is an independent energy-focused design/build contractor that provides building infrastructure upgrades and energy projects services to state, local, and federal government, K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, and large commercial and industrial customers. We help our clients address deferred maintenance, invest in infrastructure, improve the efficiency and sustainability of their buildings, and make their operations more resilient.

TEN applies state of the art technology, engineering, construction and project management concepts and practices, along with creative financing and ownership solutions, to deliver projects quickly and efficiently.

TEN is part of the Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc. family of companies.

Summary

Reporting to TEN’s Vice President, Engineering, the Director-Design Engineering is responsible for overseeing the development and supporting the delivery of multi-disciplined construction projects. This role ensures that all design outputs meet technical, regulatory, and quality standards while aligning with project objectives and client requirements. The Director – Design Engineering will collaborate closely with internal development, engineering, and construction teams while directing and managing external design professionals (architects and engineers) to translate conceptual designs into executable plan documents and constructable project strategies. The Director – Design Engineering plays a key role in ensuring that projects are designed in a safe and profitable manner and all associated project risks are identified and mitigated.

Location

The successful candidate is situated in the Pittsburgh, PA region and will work from the company’s office and a home-based office with travel to customer sites as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

Design Phase Leadership & Commercial Strategy

Lead and manage internal and external multidisciplinary design teams (architects, engineers, and consultants) through all phases of design within a Design/Build delivery model, from concept development through design completion.
Define and control design scope, standards, schedules, and deliverables to ensure alignment with project objectives, contractual obligations, and client expectations.
Lead and participate in commercial negotiations with owners, design consultants, and key trade partners related to design scope, fees, risk allocation, and change management.
Facilitate design coordination and decision-making with clients, internal stakeholders, and external partners to resolve technical and commercial issues efficiently.
Oversee development of coordinated, complete, and constructible design solutions that enable accurate pricing, competitive proposals, and predictable construction outcomes.
Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, regulatory requirements, and owner standards while balancing cost, schedule, quality, and risk considerations.
Direct preparation and review of design submittals, equipment selections, and technical packages, ensuring commercial alignment and securing required client approvals.
Validate evolving cost estimates, contingencies, and allowances throughout design development, identifying risks, opportunities, and value engineering options to protect and enhance project margins.
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate design-related commercial risks, including constructability, scope gaps, escalation exposure, and design schedule impacts.
Confirm designs are fully coordinated and commercially executable prior to construction handoff, minimizing downstream changes, claims, and margin erosion.

Construction Phase Design Oversight & Commercial Support

Serve as the primary design authority during construction, providing technical leadership and commercial support to project managers, superintendents, and field teams.
Support interpretation of drawings, specifications, and design intent while assessing cost, schedule, and contractual implications of design decisions.
Review and respond to requests for information (RFIs), submittals, and design clarifications with a focus on minimizing commercial exposure and avoiding schedule disruption.
Evaluate proposed field changes, substitutions, and value engineering initiatives for technical feasibility, constructability, cost impact, risk allocation, and contract compliance.
Lead coordination with architects, engineers, design-assist partners, and subcontractors to negotiate and resolve design-related issues encountered during construction.
Ensure all approved design changes are accurately incorporated into revised documents and as-built records, maintaining alignment with contract requirements.
Monitor construction activities for adherence to approved design documents.
Support commissioning, testing, and closeout activities to ensure systems perform as designed and contractual obligations are met.
Maintain alignment between design intent, construction execution, and financial performance, actively supporting margin protection, change management, and dispute avoidance.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in detailed design, estimating, and commercial support within the building construction industry.
Proven leadership managing multidisciplinary design teams in Design/Build environments.
Demonstrated success in commercial negotiations with owners, consultants, and trade partners.
Advanced proficiency in CAD/BIM platforms and design standards.
Strong working knowledge of building codes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Excellent communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to balance technical and commercial priorities.

Preferred Experience

Leadership on large-scale, complex, multi-disciplinary Design/Build projects.
Direct involvement in contract negotiations, design fee agreements, and change management.
Strong track record of providing commercial and risk-management support to project delivery teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Apply on DLC