MEP - Project Design Manager

A growing national design-build contractor specializing in temperature-controlled facilities, cold storage, food processing, and industrial construction is seeking a Project Design Manager - MEP to join its team in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

This is a unique opportunity for an engineer, MEP project manager, mechanical contractor, or technically focused construction professional who enjoys coordinating projects, working directly with clients, and managing the design process without spending their day producing drawings.

The successful candidate will serve as the critical link between clients, engineering partners, vendors, and construction teams-ensuring complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, and HVAC systems are properly designed, coordinated, and delivered.
What You'll Do

• Lead MEP design coordination for temperature-controlled and food processing facilities
• Serve as the primary point of contact between clients and outsourced engineering teams
• Manage engineering consultants, designers, vendors, and subcontractors throughout project execution
• Coordinate HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, and process utility systems
• Review design documents, equipment selections, submittals, and shop drawings
• Support estimating and preconstruction teams with budgeting and scope development
• Conduct design review meetings with owners, engineers, and construction teams
• Assist field teams during installation, startup, commissioning, and project closeout
• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, industry standards, and food processing requirements
• Track schedules, deliverables, and project milestones across multiple projects simultaneously

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related technical field
• Experience coordinating or managing MEP systems on commercial, industrial, food processing, manufacturing, cold storage, mission-critical, or similar projects
• Exposure to refrigeration and HVAC systems is strongly preferred
• Experience managing consultants, subcontractors, vendors, or engineering partners
• Strong communication and client-facing skills
• Ability to drive accountability and coordinate multiple stakeholders
• Familiarity with AutoCAD and construction technology tools
• Experience with Revit, BIM coordination, or Bluebeam is a plus

Ideal Backgrounds

We are open to candidates coming from:

• Mechanical contractors
• MEP consulting firms
• Design-build contractors
• Industrial construction firms
• Food processing or cold storage builders
• Mission-critical or data center construction environments
• HVAC and refrigeration industries

Why This Opportunity?

• Work on highly technical, specialized projects across the United States
• Join a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where communication and accountability matter
• Influence projects from concept through commissioning
• Exposure to clients, executive leadership, and complex engineering systems
• Opportunity to grow within a rapidly expanding design-build organization

Travel

• Approximately 3-5 nights per month
• Travel to project sites, client facilities, and vendor locations as needed

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Quarterly performance bonus program
• Vehicle allowance program
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate