Design Project Manager Jobs for OPT Students
Design Project Manager jobs on OPT sit at the intersection of creative direction and operational execution. Most roles require a degree in design, architecture, or a related field, and your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your program qualifies) gives you real runway to demonstrate cross-functional leadership before pursuing H-1B sponsorship.
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INTRODUCTION
Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Turner & Townsend is seeking an MEP Design Project Manager to work with our team and partner with our client, supporting design leadership for new and existing construction builds, with a focus on data centre development. The Mechanical Design Lead (SME) PM supports innovation initiatives, contributes to campus master planning, and provides technical and project-level support to the Mechanical Design Lead Director for large-scale data centre development. This role helps ensure that facilities are designed, procured, and operated with a strong focus on energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, and long-term reliability. Key responsibilities include managing the preparation and review of contract documents from third-party design consultants, ensuring design deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget, and offering engineering expertise for both new developments and existing operational systems. The Manager assists in developing and maintaining OFCI equipment specifications, supports procurement through submittal reviews and factory witness testing, and maintains the company’s basis of design documentation while contributing to new standards as business needs evolve. Additional duties include identifying technologies that enhance data centre performance, supporting the rollout of engineering and design standards, staying informed on industry advancements, and performing other assignments as needed to support consistent, high-quality project delivery.
Responsibilities:
- Provides support and reports to the assigned Project Manager(s) or Project Director. This position has frequent interaction with the Owner/Client, consultants, design professionals, and contractors.
- Directly assist the Project Manager(s) in managing, coordinating, and administering the project through all phases of design and construction, with an emphasis on electrical and mechanical system design leadership.
- Responsible for ensuring all aspects of client services are delivered at the highest level to ensure the client’s needs are addressed, including technical guidance on concurrently maintainable electrical power and mechanical systems.
- Aids in the preparation of documents (reports, schedules, invoices, RFI’s, submittals, meeting minutes/agendas, daily reports, change orders, inspections, closeout, and client presentations) for programming, design, and construction, and will assist in maintaining information in project management software.
- Coordinate to schedule meetings with the project team as directed by the Project Manager(s).
- Communicate conceptual designs and create/maintain project documentation before, during, and after construction, including MEP design standards, basis of design updates, and OFCI equipment specifications.
- Maintenance of Basis of Design, prototype design, and template specifications for electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring alignment with evolving business and operational requirements.
- Review and inform design RFPs, including scope development for MEP engineering services.
- Manage external design consultants through the design and construction process, ensuring MEP contract documents are completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with company standards.
- Effectively communicate design standards to internal and external project partners, including engineering and operations teams.
- Manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously, providing strategic technical leadership across electrical and mechanical design activities.
- Think outside of the box to find innovative solutions prior to and during the construction process to reduce costs without negative impacts on quality, reliability, or energy efficiency.
- Support procurement through vendor submittal reviews, factory witness testing, and evaluation of OFCI equipment.
- Identify and implement innovative technologies to enhance energy efficiency, system resilience, and cost-effectiveness.
- Stay current with industry advancements and apply best practices to strengthen functional operations and project outcomes.
- Communicate and enforce engineering and design policies across the organization.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS
- College Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical), Architecture, Construction Management, or related field.
- Experience working in Project Management on large-scale construction programs, including data centre or mission-critical facilities.
- Experienced in MEP design, electrical and mechanical systems, and engineering leadership.
- Solid working proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and MS Office Suite.
- Experience overseeing the preparation and approval of MEP contract documents produced by third-party design consultants.
- Strong understanding of concurrently maintainable electrical power systems, mechanical cooling systems, and OFCI equipment specifications.
- Excellent presentation skills and the ability to be highly effective in a client-facing role.
- Team player; ability to work collaboratively across engineering, operations, procurement, and project management teams.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our clients' needs.
Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.
Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.

INTRODUCTION
Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Turner & Townsend is seeking an MEP Design Project Manager to work with our team and partner with our client, supporting design leadership for new and existing construction builds, with a focus on data centre development. The Mechanical Design Lead (SME) PM supports innovation initiatives, contributes to campus master planning, and provides technical and project-level support to the Mechanical Design Lead Director for large-scale data centre development. This role helps ensure that facilities are designed, procured, and operated with a strong focus on energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, and long-term reliability. Key responsibilities include managing the preparation and review of contract documents from third-party design consultants, ensuring design deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget, and offering engineering expertise for both new developments and existing operational systems. The Manager assists in developing and maintaining OFCI equipment specifications, supports procurement through submittal reviews and factory witness testing, and maintains the company’s basis of design documentation while contributing to new standards as business needs evolve. Additional duties include identifying technologies that enhance data centre performance, supporting the rollout of engineering and design standards, staying informed on industry advancements, and performing other assignments as needed to support consistent, high-quality project delivery.
Responsibilities:
- Provides support and reports to the assigned Project Manager(s) or Project Director. This position has frequent interaction with the Owner/Client, consultants, design professionals, and contractors.
- Directly assist the Project Manager(s) in managing, coordinating, and administering the project through all phases of design and construction, with an emphasis on electrical and mechanical system design leadership.
- Responsible for ensuring all aspects of client services are delivered at the highest level to ensure the client’s needs are addressed, including technical guidance on concurrently maintainable electrical power and mechanical systems.
- Aids in the preparation of documents (reports, schedules, invoices, RFI’s, submittals, meeting minutes/agendas, daily reports, change orders, inspections, closeout, and client presentations) for programming, design, and construction, and will assist in maintaining information in project management software.
- Coordinate to schedule meetings with the project team as directed by the Project Manager(s).
- Communicate conceptual designs and create/maintain project documentation before, during, and after construction, including MEP design standards, basis of design updates, and OFCI equipment specifications.
- Maintenance of Basis of Design, prototype design, and template specifications for electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring alignment with evolving business and operational requirements.
- Review and inform design RFPs, including scope development for MEP engineering services.
- Manage external design consultants through the design and construction process, ensuring MEP contract documents are completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with company standards.
- Effectively communicate design standards to internal and external project partners, including engineering and operations teams.
- Manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously, providing strategic technical leadership across electrical and mechanical design activities.
- Think outside of the box to find innovative solutions prior to and during the construction process to reduce costs without negative impacts on quality, reliability, or energy efficiency.
- Support procurement through vendor submittal reviews, factory witness testing, and evaluation of OFCI equipment.
- Identify and implement innovative technologies to enhance energy efficiency, system resilience, and cost-effectiveness.
- Stay current with industry advancements and apply best practices to strengthen functional operations and project outcomes.
- Communicate and enforce engineering and design policies across the organization.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS
- College Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical), Architecture, Construction Management, or related field.
- Experience working in Project Management on large-scale construction programs, including data centre or mission-critical facilities.
- Experienced in MEP design, electrical and mechanical systems, and engineering leadership.
- Solid working proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and MS Office Suite.
- Experience overseeing the preparation and approval of MEP contract documents produced by third-party design consultants.
- Strong understanding of concurrently maintainable electrical power systems, mechanical cooling systems, and OFCI equipment specifications.
- Excellent presentation skills and the ability to be highly effective in a client-facing role.
- Team player; ability to work collaboratively across engineering, operations, procurement, and project management teams.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our clients' needs.
Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.
Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Design Project Manager
Target firms with established design teams
Large architecture, product, and branding agencies hire Design Project Managers regularly and have HR infrastructure to support visa sponsorship. Smaller studios may want you but lack the legal resources to follow through. Prioritize organizations with 50 or more employees.
Frame your OPT timeline as a trial period
Employers hesitate on sponsorship when they don't know you yet. Position your OPT as a built-in evaluation window. If you perform well, sponsorship is a natural next step rather than an upfront commitment they're being asked to make.
Quantify your project management outcomes
Sponsorship conversations go better when you can point to results. Prepare specific examples: projects delivered on time and on budget, team size managed, stakeholder count, or scope complexity. Numbers give hiring managers something concrete to justify the sponsorship investment internally.
Get your STEM extension filed early if eligible
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, apply for the 24-month OPT extension well before your initial OPT expires. The extended timeline significantly improves your odds of clearing the H-1B lottery while remaining continuously employed and authorized.
Clarify the specialty occupation case for your role
Design Project Manager roles can face H-1B scrutiny if the degree requirement isn't clearly established. Before accepting an offer, confirm the employer and their immigration attorney understand how to frame the role as a specialty occupation requiring a specific bachelor's-level field.
Build relationships with the hiring manager, not just HR
Sponsorship decisions often hinge on whether a direct manager advocates for you internally. HR follows policy. Hiring managers push exceptions. Invest in that relationship early, demonstrate your value clearly, and make it easy for them to make the case on your behalf.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can a Design Project Manager role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, but the role needs to meet the specialty occupation standard, meaning it requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field like design, architecture, or a related discipline. Generalist project management roles can struggle with this framing, so the job description and degree alignment both matter. An experienced immigration attorney should evaluate the specific role before you rely on sponsorship as your path forward.
Does a design degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific program. Some design degrees, particularly those with a technology or engineering focus such as interaction design, computational design, or digital media, appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. A general graphic design or fine arts degree typically does not qualify. Check the official DHS STEM list against your CIP code, which your DSO can confirm.
Where can I find Design Project Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers who have a demonstrated history of visa sponsorship. Rather than cold-applying to every Design Project Manager posting and guessing at sponsorship willingness, you can browse roles on Migrate Mate where sponsorship openness is already factored into the listings, which saves significant time during a timeline-sensitive job search.
Can I work as a Design Project Manager on OPT if my degree is in a field like architecture or industrial design?
Yes. OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your degree field, and a Design Project Manager role typically satisfies that requirement for graduates in architecture, industrial design, graphic design, UX, or product design. Your DSO makes the final determination, so run the specific job description by them before accepting an offer if you have any doubt about the connection to your program of study.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B?
If your OPT end date falls before the next H-1B cap filing window, you have limited options: a timely STEM extension (if eligible) is the most common bridge, and it must be filed before your current OPT expires. If neither applies, you may need to consider a cap-exempt employer, a change of status to another visa category, or briefly departing the U.S. to consular process an H-1B once approved. Talk to an immigration attorney early.
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