Design Manager

Reports To:
Director of Design & Manufacturing

The Design Manager – Paint Finishing Systems is responsible for leading the design of industrial paint finishing facilities from concept through detailed design and construction support. This role serves as the technical authority for pretreatment and E-coat systems, spray booths, ovens, and emissions abatement, while coordinating closely with building, structural, mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines. The Design Manager ensures that paint finishing systems are fully integrated into the facility layout, meet performance and regulatory requirements, and are constructible, maintainable, and scalable.

• Serve as the design authority for paint finishing systems and related infrastructure.
• Pretreatment and E-Coat lines
• Spray booths (manual and automated)
• Flash-off and curing ovens
• Paint delivery, recovery, and waste systems
• Emissions abatement systems (RTOs, scrubbers, filter house)
• Review and approve equipment layouts, general arrangements, and detailed design packages.

• Lead concept, feasibility, and front-end engineering (FEL/FEED) phases.
• Develop line layouts, process flow diagrams, and capacity models.
• Balance performance, cost, schedule, and future expansion requirements.

• Define process flow, tank sizing, and material selection.
• Review P&IDs, utility loads, and overall equipment layouts.
• Coordinate rectifiers, filtration, ultrafiltration, and rinse systems.
• Coordinate structural steel design and PE reviews.
• Lead design coordination for airflow, temperature control, humidity, and pressurization.
• Define oven cross section, heat sources, and energy efficiency strategies.
• Coordinate booth and oven access, maintenance clearances, and fire protection.
• Review airflow & piping schematics, duct sizing, and balance requirements.

• Coordinate equipment loads, platforms, and supports with structural design teams.
• Ensure steel framing accommodates conveyors, booths, ovens, and service access.
• Resolve conflicts between structure and process equipment.

• Lead integration of process piping systems including:
• Chemical distribution
• Paint delivery and recovery
• Compressed air, water, wastewater, and gas
• Fire protection and safety systems
• Review routing, materials of construction, containment, and maintenance access.

• Coordinate supply, exhaust, and makeup air systems for booths, ovens, and abatement.
• Ensure compliance with codes, emissions requirements, and OEM specifications.
• Oversee coordination with abatement system design and stack layouts.

• Act as the primary interface between paint system design and building design.
• Coordinate layouts with architectural, civil, and facilities teams.
• Lead clash resolution in 3D models and design reviews.

• Ensure designs meet OSHA, NFPA, EPA, and local authority requirements.
• Integrate fire protection, hazardous material handling, and safety systems.
• Support environmental permitting with design data and documentation.

• Support procurement through technical evaluations and bid reviews.
• Provide design clarification during construction and installation.
• Participate in commissioning planning and startup support.
• Manage design changes and ensure alignment with project objectives.

• Lead and mentor designers.
• Facilitate design reviews, risk assessments, and value engineering sessions.
• Communicate technical decisions clearly to stakeholders, contractors, and OEMs.

• Strong background in pretreatment and E-coat line design.
• Proven experience coordinating structural steel, piping, ductwork, and building systems.
• Proficiency with drawings, specifications, P&IDs, layouts, and 3D coordination models.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and cross-functional communication skills.

• Quality and completeness of design packages
• Successful integration of paint systems with building and infrastructure
• Reduction of field conflicts and change orders
• Compliance with safety and environmental requirements

High school diploma or equivalent ☒

Degree Required ☒

Experience in lieu of degree ☒

How many years in lieu of degree:
Prefer 10+ years of design experience.

• Able to work extended periods at a computer terminal
• Able to travel to customer sites as needed to field check projects including Canada and Mexico.
• Required to access and inspect equipment as needed
• Must be able to conduct vendor visits and project site visits including the use of PPE and ability to tour facilities which may include multi-floor levels.