Senior Project Designer/ Senior Project Engineer

At AE Design, we believe great design starts with great people. Founded in 2004 on a foundation of friendship and shared vision, our firm has grown into a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional design solutions. Our culture is built on collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence. We foster an environment where knowledge is shared, ideas are valued, and every team member is empowered to contribute to our success. Through proactive communication and meticulous attention to detail, we create seamless experiences for our clients-anticipating needs, solving challenges, and delivering thoughtful, responsible designs.

As an integral part of the Denver AEC community, we take pride in supporting industry organizations and local nonprofits that align with our values. Sustainability, innovation, and partnership are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that our work not only meets today's needs but also contributes to a better future. At AE Design, we don't just complete projects-we build lasting relationships, provide high-touch service, and make our clients' lives easier. Our passion for design and dedication to excellence drive us forward, shaping the spaces and communities we serve.

General Role Description

This role leads the successful execution of assigned design projects, serving as the primary point of coordination between clients, engineers, project managers, and design teams. Responsibilities include managing project schedules, budgets, and design-team resources while ensuring compliance with codes and quality standards. The position requires strong leadership in training designers, delegating tasks, and driving project technical design strategy from kickoff through completion. Individuals will actively engage in client relationship management, business development efforts, and risk management, while maintaining technical proficiency of the engineered design. Effective communication, time management, and commitment to team development are essential for success in this role.

This position reports to Studio Lead and has direct supervisory responsibilities over the Project Designer/Project Engineer position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead execution of design projects from start to finish, ensuring compliance with codes and sound engineering principles.
• Function as project lead, coordinating with project managers, architects, engineers, and internal teams to meet deadlines and maintain quality standards.
• Strategize and implement a design workflow for the project design team. Manage project schedules, budgets, and resources effectively; adjust timelines and delegate tasks to ensure timely delivery.
• Oversee design intent in construction documents, shop drawings, and RFIs; review work for quality assurance and regulatory compliance to ensure consistency with client needs and design objectives.
• Apply broad engineering knowledge to design engineered systems and oversee projects through construction and completion.
• Serve as secondary client contact: respond promptly to emails, facilitate meetings, resolve complex design issues, and coordinate internal team participation in meetings and calls, on select projects.
• Drive consensus in meetings and guide project strategy, task assignments, and internal progress planning.
• Attend select predesign and construction phase site visits and document findings.
• Lead specification writing, editing, and formatting; leverage internal resources for document preparation.
• Conduct frequent check-ins with design teams, review project goals, develop internal project milestone check-ins, follow SOP, and assess progress; intervene when client satisfaction or deadlines are at risk.
• Own the completion of all deliverables. Responsible for project deliverables review prior to sending.
• Take ownership of design risk management and project completion accuracy; ensure readiness for QA/QC review.
• Proactive studio communication with other Studio Seniors.
• Participates in post-project debrief.
• Actively engage in business development opportunities with current and prospective clients.
• Train and coach designers in technical skills, time management, and consulting practices; support foundational learning programs and educational initiatives.
• Participate in performance review process for assigned direct reports.
• Communicate effectively across all stakeholders-clients, engineers, PMs, and design teams-to ensure clarity and alignment.
• Assist Principals and Project Managers with proposal preparation for new project opportunities and active project additional service proposals.
• Continuing education with new industry knowledge and products, approaching opportunities with the "Passion" core value standards.
• Demonstrate leadership in industry and/or client related organizations.
• Lead by example by engaging and participating with internal company initiatives
• Establishing relations with peers at the Client's firm to yield repeat work.
• Participates in Client presentations, such as Lunch and Learns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

What You Bring To The Table

• An undergraduate degree in Architectural Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Experience in the AEC industry as an electrical engineering consultant for 5 years
• An active presence in professional and client-related organizations
• The ability to communicate effectively with owners, clients, contractors as well as co-consultants
• The ability to excite, engage, and develop younger staff
• The ability to work as a team player on the design teams and within the office structure
• Experience in drafting client-consultant agreements and fee preparation
• Positive financial management for projects
• Experience with AutoCAD and REVIT
  
  

What You'll Enjoy When You Join Us

• Competitive salary and benefit plan (401k, HSA and more)
• An environment which supports continued education, professional development and personal growth with opportunities to learn outside of the office and through our mentorship program
• An open office, enthusiastic and collaborative coworkers, and out of office events ranging from happy hours to ski trips
• A dedication to a true work-life balance
• The chance to work on a variety of projects, and learn about low-voltage, audio/visual, special systems, commissioning and the other services we provide
• The opportunity to get out of the office for site visits, client visits, seminars and networking opportunities
• A condensed 4.5 day work week - we work full time, but we love our half day Fridays!
• A great bonus incentive program
• Opportunity to help grow with a highly reputable company who does beautiful work