Design Lead Jobs in Illinois

INTRODUCTION

When you care deeply about the work you do, it’s rewarding to see it through from concept to completion. We partner with clients to provide both program management and construction management to strategize, plan, and implement projects that drive organizations forward. From hospitals and airports to university campuses, mass transit systems, water treatment facilities, mines, and wind farms, we've successfully managed thousands of projects.

Joining our team, turning visionary ideas into reality, will shape your future—and the future of your community.

We are strategizing, planning, and implementing projects that help clients achieve their organization’s objectives. Join our award-winning program management team and bring transformational project solutions to life.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking a highly experienced civil engineering professional with a strong background in transportation design and project delivery, this role is responsible for reviewing design submittals for compliance with Tollway, IDOT, and AASHTO standards while leading constructability, quality assurance, and value-engineering efforts. The position supports multiple project managers across concurrent projects, ensures adherence to budgets, schedules, and design intent, and plays a key role in client engagement, proposal development, and winning new work. With over 10 years of industry experience and a PE license in Illinois, the ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional technical knowledge, leadership, communication, and negotiation skills, while mentoring junior staff and driving projects forward with minimal supervision.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Review design submittals for conformance with Tollway design standards (Tollway Design Manual, Tollway Plan/Standard details, ICAPP) and applicable IDOT and AASHTO criteria.
• Operate the submittal-review pipeline, leveraging AI-enabled triage from the PMO Innovation & Technology Lab to prioritize critical reviews and accelerate routine ones.
• Maintain quality-assurance independence — ensure QA reviewers are separate from any team performing the underlying design work.
• Lead constructability and value-engineering coordination with the Construction Monitor, the Central Tri-State CCM/OR, and the CMs.
• Support errors-and-omissions review on design contracts, including root-cause classification (design error, scope change, owner-directed change, unforeseen condition).
• Effectively participates and helps to win work in interviews for potential projects.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the work throughout the life of the project to successfully deliver the project to the client.
• Keeps the Project Manager informed of progress on project expectations, deadlines, and deliverables and understands the limits of the decision-making responsibilities of the role and respects the boundaries of the PM’s responsibilities.
• Leads the client and project team to assure that the project design meets the client budget, schedule, program, and design intent.
• Assists in the negotiation and development of project agreements.
• Mentors junior team members and motivates project teams.
• Assures that Project Management Framework tasks are timely completed and properly documented.
• Leads project coordination and owner/site meetings with internal team members and/or external consultants, owner and contractor and sub-contractors.
• Works with Project Manager in determining project staffing needs and recommending personnel.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive project design experience supports in the ability to win work during proposal response.
• Capable of simultaneously supporting one or more PMs on multiple projects.
• Excellent understanding of accessibility codes, life-safety codes, building construction systems, means and methods, materials, and industry associated standards.
• Proactively takes appropriate action without requiring continued direction or guidance.
• Effectively manages multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Team player with the client, entire project team and contractor.
• Excellent negotiator and communicator.
• Requires understanding of Microsoft Office Suite, Newforma; Prefer experience with Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUP.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field (preferred)
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in Illinois
• 10 years of experience in industry

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

ABOUT STANTEC

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.

PAY RANGE:

• Locations in MN, OH, VT, & Various CA, NY Areas - $128,600.00 - $192,900.00 Annually

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas - $141,500.00 - $212,200.00 Annually

PAY TRANSPARENCY: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

BENEFITS SUMMARY: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

PRIMARY LOCATION: United States | IL | Chicago

ORGANIZATION: BC-2199 Transpt-US PMCM

EMPLOYEE STATUS: Regular

BUSINESS JUSTIFICATION: New Position

TRAVEL: No

SCHEDULE: Full time

JOB POSTING: 04/06/2026 05:06:54

REQ ID: 1006172

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.