Project Designer & Manager

Location: Farmington, New York (In-Person)
Company: New Energy Works

Home Dept: TIMBFEC

Reports To: TBD

FLSA Status: Exempt

Worker Category: Full-Time

Overview

The Project Designer & Manager is a key member of our Timber Frame Division, bringing together design, technical problem-solving, project coordination, and hands-on understanding of how our buildings and structures are made.

This position takes architect-designed projects and develops them into detailed, buildable timber frame structures and high-performance building enclosure systems. You will work within the architectural vision and project constraints to determine how the project can actually be fabricated, assembled, and installed—bringing together design intent, materials, structural requirements, manufacturing capabilities, budget, schedule, and field conditions.

A significant part of this role is Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA). You will think beyond how something looks on a drawing and consider how it will be made in our shop, transported to the site, assembled, and ultimately become part of a finished structure. This requires close collaboration with architects, engineers, shop craftspeople, field teams, general contractors, and other project partners.

The Project Designer & Manager will develop 3D models and detailed drawings, coordinate design decisions and approvals, help procure project materials, and guide projects from handoff through fabrication and installation. You will also help identify problems before they reach the shop or jobsite and find practical, elegant solutions that balance design, performance, efficiency, and constructability.

This is not a traditional project management position, nor does it require a traditional engineering background. We are looking for someone who enjoys both designing and making things happen—someone who can move comfortably between a computer model, a set of drawings, conversations with a customer and architects, and a discussions with craftspeople on the shop floor.

An engineering degree or PMP certification is not required. Experience and demonstrated ability in construction, architectural detailing, timber framing, fabrication, manufacturing, product development, building enclosures, or related fields may be equally valuable.

Core Competencies

Project Coordination & Management:

Understand the scope of work that has been sold and how it applies to project design and execution.
Take ownership of assigned projects from handoff through fabrication and installation.
Develop and maintain project milestones, schedules, action items, and approvals.
Coordinate communication among architects, engineers, clients, general contractors, vendors, shop personnel, and field teams.
Track project changes and identify potential impacts to scope, cost, and schedule.
Maintain project documentation and communication throughout the project.
Maintain project documentation in our ERP system (Acumatica).
Generate client invoices according to project milestones or as appropriate.
Facilitate project meetings and provide clear updates to project stakeholders.
Help identify and resolve issues before they impact fabrication or field installation.

Design, Modeling & Technical Execution:

Translate architectural design intent into detailed, buildable timber frame structures and high-performance enclosure systems.
Create and maintain 3D project models and 2D drawing packages for coordination, fabrication, client review, and field installation.
Design timber frame joinery, connections, assemblies, and details that support efficient fabrication and installation.
Develop high-performance enclosure details, assemblies, transitions, and interfaces.
Coordinate timber frame and enclosure systems with the architectural design, structural requirements, building performance goals, and other building systems.
Work with subcontracted professional engineers to incorporate structural requirements into project models and fabrication drawings.
Review architectural and engineering drawings for constructability and identify opportunities to improve the design before fabrication.
Review fabrication drawings with clients, architects, engineers, and general contractors and manage revisions through approval.
Perform occasional site visits for field measurements and 3D laser scanning.
Update models and drawings to reflect existing field conditions when necessary.
Maintain a high level of precision and attention to detail throughout the design and documentation process.

Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA):

Apply DFMA principles to the design of timber frame and enclosure components.
Design with an understanding of how components will be manufactured, transported, handled, and assembled.
Work directly with shop craftspeople to understand manufacturing capabilities, equipment, tooling, tolerances, and fabrication processes.
Develop practical details that reduce unnecessary fabrication complexity while maintaining design intent, performance, quality, and aesthetics.
Consider sequencing, access, tolerances, connections, material interfaces, and installation requirements during design.
Identify potential fabrication or installation challenges early and develop solutions before they reach the shop or field.
Translate design intent into clear, precise information that can be efficiently fabricated and assembled.
Participate in improving our design, fabrication, and assembly processes over time.

Material & Finish Coordination:

Coordinate project-specific material requirements with project schedule and fabrication needs.
Secure approvals to order project-specific materials, obtain quotes, and place purchase orders.
Maintain oversight of material lead times, order status, and delivery timelines.
Coordinate finish samples and approvals for prefinished wood products and other project materials.
Communicate approved finishes and material selections to the appropriate project teams.
Inspect or coordinate inspection of custom components upon delivery to ensure they meet project requirements.

Field & Shop Coordination:

Maintain technical communication with the timber frame shop regarding joinery, fabrication expectations, tolerances, sequencing, and installation requirements.
Coordinate enclosure fabrication and installation requirements with internal and external project teams.
Work closely with shop leads, Project Champions, field teams, and project partners to support successful fabrication and installation.
Support resolution of technical questions and unexpected field conditions.
Coordinate raising, safety equipment, shipping, and other project logistics as required.
Maintain communication with the project team regarding technical and scheduling updates.

Software & Skills:

Strong communication skills, including in-person meetings, video meetings, phone calls, and email.
Strong 3D visualization and spatial reasoning skills.
High precision and attention to detail in modeling, technical drawing, joinery, and enclosure detailing.
Ability to interpret architectural and engineering drawings and translate them into buildable solutions.
Ability to visualize how individual components come together as a complete assembly.
Understanding of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles.
Ability to balance design intent with constructability, fabrication efficiency, performance, cost, and schedule.
Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Proficiency with Cadwork and hsbCAD/AutoCAD or comparable 3D modeling and CAD software.
Proficiency with Outlook and Excel.
Familiarity with K2 CAM Software preferred.
Familiarity with Acumatica ERP Software preferred.
Ability to learn new software, systems, materials, and fabrication processes.

Education & Experience:

A degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, design, or a related field is helpful but not required.
PMP certification is not required.
Experience in construction, architectural detailing, timber framing, fabrication, manufacturing, product development, building enclosures, technical design, project coordination, or a related field.
Experience working with 3D modeling and CAD software.
Experience with timber construction, prefabrication, manufacturing, building enclosures, or design for fabrication and assembly is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to take a design concept and develop it into a detailed, manufacturable, and buildable solution.
Strong problem-solving skills and an interest in understanding how things are designed, built, and assembled.
Ability to collaborate effectively with both design professionals and skilled craftspeople.
A hands-on, curious mindset and willingness to learn from the people who build what you design.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

About us

This position is full-time with a flexible schedule and great benefits, including 70% company-paid medical, paid holidays and PTO, a matching 401k plan, dental, and vision.

New Energy Works is a 100% employee-owned company. Through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), employees receive ownership shares over time, allowing them to build meaningful long-term wealth while contributing to the success of the company.

When the company succeeds, our employee-owners benefit directly.

We actively seek to build an inclusive and diverse workplace where people from all walks of life are welcomed. We are an equal opportunity employer.

New Energy Works operates on the triple bottom line philosophy, putting equal emphasis on people, planet, and profit. We’ve been designing and crafting custom homes and fine woodworking from our shops in New York and Oregon for 40+ years with our 150+ craftspeople, carpenters, designers, dreamers, and community members.

If you think you’re a good fit, please apply today. We look forward to learning more about you.

Compensation may vary depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.

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Project Designer & Manager