Lead Design Engineer

About the role:

The Lead Design Engineer provides advanced technical leadership and oversight for the design, documentation, and implementation of complex building automation and control systems for commercial, industrial, and mission-critical facilities. Building upon the Senior Design Engineer role, this position is responsible for guiding a team of Senior Design Engineers, ensuring engineering excellence, and driving consistency in design standards and execution.

This role serves as a key liaison between engineering leadership and project teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables, alignment with company standards, and continuous improvement of design processes. The Lead Design Engineer plays a critical role in advancing Divcon’s building automation capabilities through leadership, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and provide technical oversight to a team of Senior Design Engineers.
• Deliver ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Assist the Design Engineering Manager in workload planning, project assignments, and resource allocation.
• Review and approve design deliverables to ensure technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Ensure team adherence to project schedules, milestones, and deliverable timelines.
• Identify skill gaps and support development of training plans to enhance team capabilities.
• Drive adoption and enforcement of design standards, templates, and engineering best practices.

Technical Design & Project Execution

• Lead the design and implementation of DDC control systems across all project phases, including pre-construction, installation, and closeout.
• Oversee development of HVAC and building automation control system designs, including schematics, riser/network diagrams, panel layouts, and wiring details.
• Translate mechanical and electrical plans/specifications into complete automation control designs.
• Develop and review sequences of operation, control narratives, and system logic for complex systems.
• Prepare and review submittals, bills of material (BOMs), and device specifications.
• Engineer system architectures utilizing BACnet, Modbus, and IP-based networks.
• Design and review custom control panels and support FAT/SAT and shop verification activities.
• Apply NEC, NFPA, ASHRAE, UL, and related codes across all design deliverables.

Quality, Coordination & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct and oversee QA/QC reviews of drawings, submittals, and as-built documentation.
• Generate and review RFIs to resolve design clarifications with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, construction teams, vendors, and customers to ensure project alignment and execution.
• Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and system startup in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Lead development and refinement of drawing standards, CAD templates, and design workflows.
• Provide input on product direction, tools, and process improvements in collaboration with engineering leadership.
• Ensure accurate and timely development of O&M closeout documentation from construction redlines.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Controls Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical for control system design and documentation.
• Advanced understanding of HVAC systems, control sequences, and DDC integration.
• In-depth knowledge of control communication protocols (BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, etc.).
• Working knowledge of applicable codes: NEC, NFPA, ASHRAE, UL 508A, and local energy codes.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive experience in building automation, MEP design, or industrial controls.
• Extensive experience designing DDC architectures, system layouts, and control panels.
• Proven experience reviewing and approving engineering deliverables.
• Experience supporting commissioning, startup, or system troubleshooting.
• Prior experience leading teams or overseeing engineering workflows required.
• PLC/HMI experience (Allen Bradley, Schneider, Siemens) a plus.
• P.E. or E.I.T. preferred but not required.