Lead, Design Solutions, Kawneer Collaborative

Kawneer Collaborative is seeking a Lead, Design Solutions to support both pre-award and post-award project activities across North America. This individual will develop practical, innovative façade solutions that help secure new business opportunities while ensuring successful project execution after award. As the first dedicated design professional within Kawneer Collaborative, this role will establish and lead the development of the Design Solutions function, creating the processes, standards, and technical capabilities needed to support future growth. While initially serving as an individual contributor, the successful candidate will be expected to provide technical leadership, influence cross-functional teams, mentor future design resources, and demonstrate the potential to evolve into a formal leadership position as the organization grows.

The successful candidate must demonstrate both strong technical design capabilities and leadership potential to eventually build and lead a team responsible for design support for multiple projects throughout the project lifecycle. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop façade design concepts, technical details, and presentation materials for pre/post-award projects
• Review architectural drawings, specifications, and project requirements to create practical and competitive design solutions.
• Support estimating, sales, preconstruction, project management, engineering, and manufacturing teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Create and modify 2D and 3D models using AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, and related design software.
• Participate in design discussions with architects, consultants, contractors, and customers.
• Develop solutions that balance performance, constructability, manufacturability, schedule, and project budget requirements.
• Assist with thermal, structural, and performance-related evaluations of façade systems.
• Support mock-up testing, field reviews, and design issue resolution as required.
• Establish and improve design standards, processes, and best practices for the Collaborative organization.
• Mentor future design resources and help build the capabilities of the future Collaborative Design Team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, engineering technology, construction management, or related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in curtain wall, window wall, or related building-envelope design.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and at least one 3D/BIM platform such as Revit or Inventor.
• Ability to interpret architectural drawings, specifications, and construction documents.
• Strong understanding of façade system design, constructability, and building-envelope performance requirements.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting both pre-award pursuits and post-award projects.

• Experience with unitized curtain wall, custom façade systems, and design-assist projects.

• Experience with thermal modeling software, structural analysis tools, and BIM collaboration platforms.

• Experience participating in mock-up testing and field installations.

• Prior mentoring, technical leadership, or team-development experience. 

Leadership Expectations

This position is intended to evolve into a leadership role within Kawneer Collaborative. The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Technical leadership and sound engineering judgment.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions.
• A process-oriented mindset focused on scalability and continuous improvement.
• A passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
• Strong customer focus and commercial awareness.