Pre-Construction Design Manager

LAUKOA brings together a diverse portfolio of companies delivering mission‑critical services to the Department of Defense, federal agencies, and commercial organizations. From environmental stewardship and infrastructure support to technology, operations, maintenance, and construction services, we help clients accomplish their goals through expertise, innovation, and trusted partnerships. Rooted in Native Hawaiian values, we are committed to delivering results that strengthen organizations, communities, and future generations.

Whether you’re building critical infrastructure in Greenland, supporting federal health programs in Florida, or protecting ecosystems in the Pacific, LAUKOA brings together people who care about what they do.

Current job opportunities with LAUKOA are posted here as they become available. Check back often for new positions!

Mahalo for your interest in this role! Please see the full position description below and click Start Your Application when ready.

Salary Range: $140,000-$180,000

As a Pre‑Construction Design Manager, you will play a critical role in shaping project success by leading design coordination, constructability analysis, cost planning, and schedule development during the pre‑award and early execution phases of construction projects. Leveraging deep knowledge of design‑build and design‑bid‑build delivery methods, you will collaborate closely with owners, designers, estimators, and operations teams to ensure projects are strategically planned, accurately priced, and positioned for efficient execution.

Your ability to integrate design intent with construction means and methods will be central to mitigating risk, controlling cost, and achieving client objectives.

• Assume a lead role in defining project scope, design intent, and pre‑construction objectives in alignment with client requirements and organizational strategy.
• Direct pre‑construction planning efforts, including design development milestones, cost modeling, and schedule sequencing.
• Evaluate delivery methods (Design‑Build, Design‑Bid‑Build, CM‑at‑Risk) and recommend optimal approaches based on project constraints.
• Identify technical, schedule, and cost risks early and develop mitigation strategies to support successful project outcomes.
• Establish pre‑construction benchmarks, performance metrics, and deliverables to guide project development.

• Serve as the primary liaison between design consultants, estimating teams, and construction operations during pre‑construction.
• Lead design reviews to ensure alignment with constructability, phasing, safety, and lifecycle cost considerations.
• Facilitate interdisciplinary coordination meetings to resolve design conflicts and ensure completeness of contract documents.
• Ensure design packages comply with applicable codes, standards, client requirements, and federal contracting criteria.
• Oversee value engineering and alternatives analysis to optimize cost, schedule, and performance without compromising quality.

• Collaborate with estimating teams to develop conceptual, schematic, and detailed cost estimates throughout design progression.
• Validate quantities, assumptions, and pricing strategies to ensure accuracy and competitiveness.
• Lead development of pre‑construction schedules, including phasing plans, long‑lead procurement, and milestone tracking.
• Support proposal development, including technical narratives, pricing assumptions, and risk registers.

• Cultivate strong working relationships with clients, designers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Clearly communicate design status, cost impacts, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership and clients.
• Prepare and deliver pre‑construction reports, presentations, and briefings to support informed decision‑making.
• Proactively manage stakeholder expectations throughout the design and pre‑construction lifecycle.