Program Manager of Technical Development

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Title: Program Manager of Technical Development

Position Location: Remote – work virtually from anywhere in the United States. Must be located near a major US airport.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Manager of Technical Development is responsible for the technical quality, standards, and capability of the Field Services workforce. This role ensures that commissioning execution is technically rigorous and consistent across all projects and sites — not dependent on the expertise of specific individuals — by developing field competency, owning technical standards and SOPs, and driving continuous improvement of processes and workflows.

The Program Manager of Technical Development partners directly with the Program Manager – Projects and Program Manager – People verticals and reports to the Associate Director, providing the technical input that informs staffing readiness, delivery risk, and training investment decisions across the program.

This role's primary objective is to ensure the technical execution of commissioning work is correct, consistent, and scalable across all Field Services programs, and to build a workforce technically capable of handling complex systems and abnormal conditions without dependency on a small group of senior experts.

This person will communicate and operate in line with organizational goals and values, as well as departmental objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Own Technical Standards and Processes (30%)

• Develop, implement, and maintain commissioning SOPs, workflows, templates, and client programmatic requirements across all programs
• Ensure consistent application of technical standards across all active projects and sites; monitor compliance and address deviations proactively
• Own the technical onboarding process for new projects and programs: ensure workflows are integrated, client-specific requirements are documented, and field teams are trained prior to execution
• Maintain a centralized, accessible repository of technical processes, deliverables, and field insights
• Provide technical input on proposals and scope reviews to ensure execution approach, staffing qualifications, and deliverable commitments are technically sound

Develop Field Capability and Competency (25%)

• Identify technical skill gaps across the workforce and develop structured plans to close them through training, mentoring, and field coaching
• Deliver or coordinate onsite technical training, hands-on instruction, and real-time coaching during commissioning execution
• Ensure the workforce develops depth in troubleshooting, system-level understanding, and abnormal condition response — not just procedural execution capability
• Partner with Program Manager – People on development planning; provide technical competency input into promotion readiness calibration
• Assess Technical Lead and SME performance; identify development needs and succession candidates within the technical track

Manage Technical Escalation and Field Oversight (20%)

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex technical issues during commissioning and testing; resolve at the Program Manager of Technical Development level before escalating to the Associate Director
• Provide direct technical oversight and support during critical project phases, high-risk testing activities, or complex system integrations
• Ensure accuracy and technical rigor in testing documentation, commissioning plans, and reports
• Audit technical deliverable quality across active projects; identify recurring issues and initiate root cause analysis and standards updates as needed
• Conduct regular site visits to observe technical execution firsthand, validate standards compliance, and deliver field coaching

Drive Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Management (15%)

• Capture lessons learned across projects and systematically incorporate findings into SOPs, workflows, and training content
• Drive iterative improvement of technical processes — standards should become more efficient, scalable, and consistently adopted over time
• Identify recurring technical execution gaps and develop programmatic responses rather than one-off interventions
• Contribute to routine reporting by preparing the technical capability and standards compliance section for Associate Director review and compilation

Ensure Cross-Functional Alignment and Project Onboarding (10%)

• Partner with Program Manager – Projects to ensure technical standards are applied in the field; provide early warning on technical gaps that may affect schedule, quality, or delivery risk
• Partner with Program Manager – People to align training priorities with workforce readiness and communicate technical capability requirements that inform staffing and hiring decisions
• Provide technical input to the Associate Director on capability gaps, workforce readiness, and technical risk posture across the program portfolio
• Coordinate with the Associate Director of Technical Development on programmatic and departmental standardization and training initiatives

Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget

Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned

POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ADVANCED LEVEL FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING)

• Deep technical expertise in electrical and/or mechanical commissioning systems
• Demonstrated ability to develop and enforce technical standards at program scale
• Experience developing SOPs, workflows, and technical process documentation
• Advanced troubleshooting and system-level thinking capability
• Strong training, mentoring, and technical knowledge-transfer capability
• Ability to translate field observations into scalable process improvements
• Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to improve standards development, training delivery, and technical documentation
• Ability to operate effectively in a high-growth, distributed, remote environment
• Ability to work successfully in a remote environment thru effective communication and organizational skills, self-motivation, proactiveness and resourcefulness in a distraction free workspace
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form (technical and non-technical information)
• Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision
• Ability to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and commissioning documentation tools
• Organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

• Frequently manipulating, moving or grasping small parts, devices or tools
• Frequently required to remain in a stationary position
• Frequently moving through office, critical facility and other environments (such as low temperatures, high temperatures and outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind), including tight and confined spaces
• On occasion the employee may be required to position self under or over equipment
• On occasion the employee may move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds

TRAVEL / RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Approximately 50% domestic travel; may include any or all 50 US states
• Occasional international travel required based on program needs
• Must reside near a major airport
• Must hold a valid driver's license and ability to rent vehicles
• Must hold or be able to obtain a valid REAL ID or passport for domestic air travel
• Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetings for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field — or equivalent experience

PLUS

• Minimum 8 years' experience in commissioning or mission-critical construction
• Must hold or be able to obtain NFPA 70E and OSHA 30 certifications as required

BENEFITS

DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
• Flex spending accounts (FSA)
• Dental and vision plans
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
• 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
• PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
• Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment

CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

DLB Associates is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!​

​NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.