Design Assist Lead

Job Summary: As a Design Assist Lead at IEF, you will be accountable for acting as the technical bridge between preconstruction, design, and fabrication. This role is responsible for leading early-stage design coordination with architects, engineers, and clients, ensuring constructability, feasibility, and alignment with project goals. You will provide strategic input to drive efficient system designs, while also translating architectural intent into solutions that can be engineered and built.

• Act as the primary point of contact for design-related communication with architects, consultants, and clients during the design assist phase.
• Directly managing clients and design teams in a Design Assist role, or similar.
• Provide input on technical scope, risks, and opportunities that shape the proposal package and design deliverables.
• Provide input on system options, detailing strategies, and fabrication/installation considerations to support bid strategies and design direction.
• Identify scope gaps or changes during design development and escalate for pricing, timeline, or risk review.
• Make technical recommendations regarding system selection, detailing methods, or proposed design modifications, subject to final review by Engineering leadership.
• Support internal teams with design standards, best practices, and lessons learned. Mentor junior designers/engineers during the design assist phase.
• Lead the design assist process during preconstruction and early project phases, collaborating with internal teams, architects, and consultants to align facade/system design with project constraints and capabilities.
• Lead internal coordination efforts to align with the external design intent, including task assignments and technical reviews within the team.
• Guide the development of design models and 2D documentation to ensure consistency, clarity, and coordination with other disciplines.
• Maintain and manage deliverable timelines during the design assist phase to ensure alignment with overall project schedule.
• Evaluate architectural concepts and design packages to identify risks, technical challenges, and opportunities for value engineering or simplification.
• Represent the company in design meetings, communicate technical feedback, and document critical decisions and revisions.

ADA Requirements: The position requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods while using a computer, along with sufficient manual dexterity to operate computers, mobile devices, and related IT equipment. The role may occasionally involve lifting or moving equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, as well as bending, crawling, or climbing—such as accessing under desks or server racks. Candidates must possess the ability to concentrate, troubleshoot, and solve problems in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong verbal and written communication skills. The role also demands effective task prioritization, management of multiple simultaneous support requests, and a capacity to quickly learn and adapt to evolving technologies and tools.

• Strong aptitude for design implementation
• Strong knowledge of building envelope systems, applicable codes, and methods of construction.
• Proficient in reading architectural and structural documents, including project specifications.
• Articulate and clear communicator
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related discipline
• Pragmatic problem solver and adept strategist
• Expert in 2D/3D design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper)
• 5+ years of experience designing and documenting facades, particularly unitized curtain wall systems.

Salary Range: $110,000-$140,000

Benefits: 401(k) matching, AD&D insurance, Dental insurance, Family leave, Flexible schedule, Flexible spending account Gym membership, Health insurance, Health savings account, Life insurance, Paid time off, Parental leave, Professional development assistance, Vision insurance.

Schedule: (Hybrid)