Design Manager

About Ares Technology Consultants, LLC

ARES delivers expert support for mission-critical data center operations, specializing in electrical and mechanical systems, commissioning, and infrastructure reliability. With a strong focus on safety, professionalism, and technical excellence, ARES empowers teams to succeed in high-performance environments across the globe.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and highly driven Design Manager to lead the design and construction administration of mission-critical and data center projects. This role is responsible for owning the full design lifecycle, from concept through construction and final project closeout.

The Design Manager serves as the technical and design authority, ensuring all disciplines are fully integrated and aligned with project goals. Success in this role means delivering coordinated, code-compliant, and constructible designs that maintain design intent, quality, schedule, and budget through commissioning.

What you'll do

• Design Leadership and Management

• • Lead multidisciplinary design efforts across architecture, structural, MEP, fire and life safety, low-voltage, security, DAS, and BMS/EPMS systems
  • Develop and maintain the Basis of Design (BOD) aligned with the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
  • Manage design progression through Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Documents
  • Establish clear milestones, deliverables, and design budgets
  • Conduct regular check-ins with leadership and stakeholders
• Engineering and Systems Coordination

• • Coordinate critical power and cooling infrastructure, including redundancy strategies such as N+1 and 2N configurations
  • Oversee BIM and Revit coordination, including clash detection and constructability reviews
  • Ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards including IBC, NFPA, ASHRAE, Uptime Institute criteria, and local AHJ requirements
  • Collaborate with internal design leadership as needed
• Construction Administration

• • Review submittals, shop drawings, and product data
  • Respond to RFIs accurately and within agreed timelines
  • Issue design clarifications and instructions and evaluate change orders for scope and cost impact
  • Participate in site observations, OAC meetings, and commissioning activities
  • Support project closeout, punch lists, and integrated systems testin
• Project, Schedule, and Budget Management

• • Manage design scope, fees, and resources across internal teams and external consultants
  • Develop and maintain design schedules aligned with procurement and construction timelines
  • Identify risks, manage assumptions, and drive value engineering initiative
• Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• • Serve as the primary point of contact for clients on design-related matters
  • Lead design reviews and coordinate approvals with authorities having jurisdiction and utilities
  • Communicate project status, risks, and key decisions to stakeholders at all levels
• Team and Quality Leadership

• • Lead, mentor, and develop design staff while setting clear expectations and accountability
  • Establish and enforce QA and QC processes at each design milestone
  • Promote a culture centered on constructability, operability, and continuous improvement
• Standards and Service Development

• • Develop and maintain design standards, templates, and repeatable solutions
  • Support consultant selection, scoping, and performance evaluation

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary design for data centers or mission-critical facilities
• Strong knowledge of building systems including electrical, mechanical, and cooling infrastructure
• Familiarity with industry standards such as IBC, NFPA, ASHRAE, and Uptime Institute Tier classifications
• Experience with BIM and Revit coordination processes
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills