Design Manager - CAD

Endurable Building Products focuses on structural aluminum systems for decks, balconies, railings, stairs, sunshades, and canopies, offering solutions for both single-family and multi-family projects across the United States.

We’re seeking a dynamic Design Manager to join our team in Brooklyn Center, MN. In this role, you’ll lead and inspire a talented CAD team, ensuring every design is precise, consistent, and fully aligned with both customer expectations and production standards. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and take pride in delivering high-quality, detail-driven work, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

This role builds upon the CAD Technician function by adding ownership of:

• Drafting standards and consistency

• Error reduction and revision control

• Team leadership and development

• Process improvement across all drawing phases

The position manages a team of three CAD Technicians and works closely with project managers, sales, engineering, and production to ensure high-quality drawing output across all project phases:

• Preliminary Drawings

• Shop Drawings

• Fabrication Drawings

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. CAD Team Leadership & Oversight

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of three CAD Technicians

• Assign and balance workloads to meet project deadlines while maintaining quality

• Provide regular feedback and coaching to improve accuracy, efficiency, and clarity

• Serve as the primary escalation point for design and drafting issues

2. Drafting Standards & Consistency (Top Priority)

• Develop, implement, and enforce CAD standards across all technicians

• Standardize:

  • Drawing formats

  • Detailing practices

  • Naming conventions

  • Revision tracking methods

• Ensure all drawings—preliminary, shop, and fabrication—are consistent in structure and quality

• Maintain standardized templates and a central library of commonly used components

3. Reduce Revisions and Errors

• Identify root causes of frequent revisions, including:

  • Incomplete preliminary drawings

  • Misalignment with customer expectations

  • Missing fabrication details

• Implement improvements to reduce:

  • Rework in drawing updates

  • Back-and-forth with customers and project managers

  • Errors impacting production

• Review drawings at key stages to ensure completeness before release

4. CAD Process & Workflow Management

• Oversee CAD workflow from project handoff through fabrication release

• Improve coordination between CAD, Project Managers, Sales, and Field teams

• Standardize drawing deliverables across each project phase

• Ensure effective use of revision tracking for full traceability

• Anticipate scheduling conflicts and proactively adjust team priorities

5. Technical CAD Responsibilities (Player/Coach Role)

• Utilize SolidWorks to create and modify models and drawings

• Interpret architectural and structural drawings to understand design intent

• Support:

  • Preliminary design and take-offs

  • Engineering drawings for structural review

  • Fabrication drawings for production

• Accurately apply revisions and maintain drawing integrity

• Step in on complex or high-priority projects as needed

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Project Managers and Sales during project handoff to clarify scope

• Work with Field Managers to ensure accurate field measurements are captured and reflected

• Collaborate with production to ensure drawings are clear and fabrication-ready

• Participate in project meetings to align expectations and resolve issues early

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of CAD experience (Architectural/Mechanical experience preferred).

• Strong experience interpreting architectural and structural drawings

• Experience producing fabrication-ready drawings in a manufacturing or construction environment

• Proven ability to improve drawing accuracy, consistency, or processes

• Strong organizational and project management skills

Preferred

• Prior leadership or supervisory experience

• Experience implementing CAD standards and workflow improvements

• Experience in architectural metal systems, aluminum products, or related fields

• Familiarity with Bluebeam Revu and Microsoft Office tools

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and consistency

• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to correct root causes of errors

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously

• Clear and professional communication across departments and customers

• Leadership mindset with a focus on coaching and accountability

Salary Pay Range: $85,000 - $100,000 annually dependent on experience*

*pay range may be adjusted depending on cost of living

Bonus/Incentive Pay

Annual performance bonus opportunity based on Company and specific business unit ROI and PBOP achievement criteria and individual job responsibility and performance.

Benefits currently offered to our employees:

• Medical insurance

• Health savings account with company contribution

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Basic and voluntary life insurance

• Disability insurance

• 401(k) plan with company match

• Paid vacation and holidays

• Stock purchase program with employee discount

• Educational reimbursement

• Wellness programs and challenges

• Other supplemental benefits