Design Manager at Overwatch Mission Critical – Chicago, Illinois

About Overwatch Mission CriticalOverwatch is a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business (SDVOB) certified through the national veterans business development council (NVBDC), offering construction professional services, talent acquisition, and general contractor for the mission-critical infrastructure industry.Our mission is the construction and management of state-of-the-art data centers with the precision and reliability this industry demands. From high-end engineers to seasoned professionals, we deploy the people you need to get your data center off the ground. At Overwatch, it's more than a job. It's purpose.
Area of Sub Specialty

• Strong expertise in electrical distribution (UPS, switchgear, generators), cooling systems (chillers, CRAH/CRAC, cooling towers), and fire protection.
• Familiarity with commissioning requirements and how design affects Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Proficiency with BIM (Revit, Navisworks), collaboration platforms (MS Teams, Procore), and scheduling tools.

Design Leadership & Coordination

• Manage the end-to-end design process from SD (Schematic Design) through IFC (Issued for Construction).
• Coordinate administration of external Design Partner contracts, ensuring scope, schedule, and deliverables align with project goals.
• Conduct weekly design team meetings, providing feedback, resolving roadblocks, and coordinating with Compass Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
• Lead page turn reviews (coordinate meetings, record and close comments).
• Coordinate, review, and track all design deliverables to ensure accuracy, constructability, and timely release.

Scope, Cost & Change Management

• Escalate design changes impacting scope, budget, or schedule to Compass owner stakeholders for decision-making.
• Support supply chain team with equipment vendor proposals, ensuring design partners review/approve submittals for compliance.
• Manage, review, and approve all design bulletins before release in collaboration with the Delivery (Construction) team.

Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with Sales and Solutions Engineering teams to provide design input on customer RFPs.
• Provide design support during lessons learned workshops, helping capture improvements for future projects and regions.
• Maintain close collaboration with the Delivery (Construction) team to ensure design intent is upheld through commissioning and handover.

Site & Client Engagement

• Perform site visits for field investigations, constructability reviews, and coordination meetings.
• Provide daily updates (e.g., MS Teams) to Compass leadership regarding design progress, risks, blockers, and priorities.
• Foster strong relationships with Compass stakeholders to ensure satisfaction, transparency, and repeat business.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure design documents meet the client, and regulatory requirements (NEC, NFPA, ASHRAE, TIA-942, Uptime Institute).
• Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring design partners incorporate safety principles into designs.
• Lead QA/QC of design documents, validating MEP systems are efficient, scalable, and resilient (N, N+1, 2N redundancy).

Required Experience Needed

• 8–12+ years of experience in design management or engineering leadership, with at least 5 years in data center/mission-critical facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external design partners and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale, MEP-intensive projects ($100M+ preferred).

Driver’s License Requirement:For roles that require on-site presence or travel between work locations as an essential function of the position, candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license appropriate for the role and be eligible to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable laws.
Communication Skills:Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment, including preparing written reports and documentation, conveying information clearly to team members, clients, and stakeholders, and responding appropriately to verbal and written communications related to job duties.
Physical Requirements and Work EnvironmentThis position operates primarily in an active data center construction environment, encompassing both indoor and outdoor work settings. The role requires the physical ability to perform essential job functions safely and effectively in a dynamic environment that includes ongoing construction activity and evolving site conditions.
The work environment includes areas and temporary structures owned, leased, or controlled by third parties over which Overwatch may have limited or no control. Because the project remains under construction, certain areas of the site — including access routes, staging zones, and temporary structures — may not yet be fully ADA-compliant until construction is complete or those third-party areas are finalized.
Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk, stand, stoop, twist, bend, and climb stairs or ladders for extended periods while navigating uneven, unpaved, or obstructed terrain.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to drive between job sites and access all areas of an active construction zone, including raised platforms, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to outdoor weather conditions, dust, and construction-related noise, vibrations, and odors.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with contractors, engineers, and site personnel, and maintain situational awareness in high-activity environments.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety vests, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots, is required.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read drawings, specifications, and safety signage, and to observe site activity.

Work Environment:Work is performed primarily in and around active construction areas, which may include unfinished buildings, temporary field offices, staging areas, and partially completed infrastructure. These locations may contain uneven surfaces, limited accessibility, and other conditions typical of construction projects prior to final completion. Overwatch does not control and cannot modify accessibility conditions within areas, facilities, or temporary structures owned or managed by third parties.
Reasonable Accommodation:Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, provided such accommodations do not create safety hazards, impede essential mobility within active work zones, or require modification of facilities not owned or controlled by Overwatch.
Know someone who’d be a great fit?If you're a current Overwatch employee and want to refer top talent to help us grow, submit your referral HERE. Let’s build the future together!
Benefits:We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. There will be a daily per diem (7 days a week) to help with food and lodging.OVERWATCH is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. OVERWATCH considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.