Construction Design Manager (CDM)

Job Description

AECOM is seeking an experienced Construction Design Manager (CDM) to serve as the primary design representative during construction for a major federal project at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role on a high-profile Department of Defense program, working directly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), construction partners, and multidisciplinary design teams to deliver mission-critical facilities that support national defense.

This is a full-time, site-based position aligned with the construction schedule, generally consisting of an eight-hour workday, five days per week.

The successful candidate will be embedded with the on-site project team, serving as the critical bridge between design and construction and ensuring design intent is maintained while supporting successful project execution from groundbreaking through completion.

Lead Design Excellence on One of the U.S. Military's Most Important Infrastructure Programs.

Why This Opportunity?

• Lead design coordination on a major military construction program.
• Serve as the trusted technical advisor to USACE and project stakeholders.
• Influence project outcomes through collaboration with architects, engineers, contractors, and government leadership.
• Work on a secure, complex, and highly visible federal project with long-term program stability through 2029.
• Experience Alaska's unique environment while contributing to infrastructure that directly supports national security missions.
• Join a team of industry-leading architects, engineers, and construction professionals solving complex technical challenges.

Position Overview:

The Construction Design Manager will serve as AECOM's on-site representative throughout construction, providing technical leadership and design coordination support. Working closely with USACE project personnel and Design-of-Record (DOR) teams, the CDM will facilitate the resolution of technical questions, support design decisions, and promote successful project delivery while maintaining continuity between design development and field implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Leadership and Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison between the design team and government construction management staff.
• Maintain design continuity throughout construction and safeguard design intent.
• Coordinate responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) and construction submittals.
• Facilitate communication between field personnel and Design-of-Record architects and engineers.
• Support development and evaluation of design modifications, changes, and field solutions.
• Participate in technical reviews, partnering sessions, progress meetings, and project coordination meetings.
• Provide timely technical recommendations while coordinating with licensed architects and engineers for discipline-specific expertise.

Construction Support

• Conduct field reviews and participate in project discussions regarding constructability and design interpretation.
• Assist in documenting and evaluating proposed changes and design impacts.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to proactively identify and resolve technical challenges.
• Support project teams in achieving cost, schedule, quality, and safety objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work directly with USACE project leadership, quality assurance personnel, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Foster collaborative relationships that promote successful project delivery.
• Communicate complex technical issues clearly and effectively to diverse project participants.

Working Environment

This position is located at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, one of the nation's premier military installations. This role requires working in a secure construction environment and complying with all project security, safety, and site access requirements.

Candidates must be able to:

• Obtain and maintain required site access credentials.
• Work safely in active construction environments.
• Participate in required safety and security training programs.
• Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while on-site.

The Impact You'll Make

As Construction Design Manager, you will lead design, construction, and client coordination, helping deliver facilities that directly support military readiness and national security objectives. Your leadership will influence project success every day, ensuring complex design solutions translate into built reality.

If you're looking for an opportunity to lead, collaborate, and leave a lasting impact on a mission-critical federal program, we encourage you to join our team at JBER.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education serving in design management, construction administration, resident engineering, or similar project leadership role.
• A valid driver’s license is required, along with the ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check in accordance with company policy.
• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

Desired Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience serving in design management, construction administration, resident engineering, or similar project leadership role.
• Demonstrated success supporting large, complex building or infrastructure projects during construction.
• Experience working within secure or controlled-access facilities, federal projects, military installations, or similarly regulated environments.
• Previous experience with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of Defense (DoD), NAVFAC, or other federal agencies.
• Strong understanding of construction documentation, RFI processes, submittal reviews, and field coordination.
• Professional Architect (RA), Professional Engineer (PE), or equivalent technical leadership experience.
• Experience supporting large-scale vertical construction programs and mission-critical facilities.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.