Design Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Design Manager – Telecommunications Position Summary BAAC Construction is hiring an experienced Design Manager to lead the design and permitting of long-haul fibre optic networks across Alberta. In this role, you will lead internal staff and subcontracted engineering partners, taking projects from route selection through permitting and approvals to issued-for-construction (IFC) packages and as-builts.

You will ensure all deliverables meet technical, environmental, regulatory, and permitting requirements, and keep design aligned with permitting, procurement, and construction timelines. You will also play a key role in building BAAC's internal design and construction specifications, drawing on industry best practices and standards, and provide clear, concise updates to leadership.

This position is ideal for an experienced fibre design leader who knows Alberta permitting first-hand and wants the opportunity to build and shape a design function as the company grows.

Location

Reporting office located in Calgary, Alberta Projects across Alberta, in both urban and rural settings Travel to project sites as required

What You'll Do
Design Leadership Lead and oversee end-to-end long-haul fibre design packages across Alberta Lead route feasibility, detailed path engineering, and the integration of survey and field data Review and validate: OSP designs Bills of materials (BOMs) Splicing plans Construction drawings Crossing details Help develop and implement BAAC's internal design and construction specifications based on industry best practices and standards Define as-built requirements and ensure all records are completed and delivered Permitting & Approvals Own the permitting strategy and approvals schedule, setting submission priorities so permits are secured ahead of construction Stage design phases to match approval timelines and environmental constraints Secure Municipal Access Agreements (MAAs) with municipalities and prepare them for executive review and signature by BAAC leadership Ensure designs comply with all applicable environmental, archaeological, regulatory, and permitting requirements Supervise and support the Permitting/Design Coordinator in preparing, submitting, and tracking permit applications and crossing agreements Subcontractor Management & Tendering Run competitive tenders for subcontracted design, survey, and environmental services, including scope development, bid solicitation, bid evaluation, and award recommendations Direct and coordinate subcontracted design firms, surveyors, and environmental consultants, managing scope, deliverables, and performance Project Controls & Risk Management Manage design schedules and resource tracking, integrating inputs from design, survey, environmental, and permitting Align design deliverables with permitting, procurement, and construction dependencies Proactively identify risks and develop early mitigation to protect schedule and cost, including: Utility conflicts Environmental triggers Routing feasibility risks Permits at risk Provide clear, concise status updates to leadership Quality & Construction Support Lead QA/QC processes across fibre, civil, and environmental design packages to ensure accuracy, constructability, and adherence to standards Support construction by issuing design clarifications and responding to RFIs and field changes What You Bring Required Experience Experience in telecommunications design, with significant long-haul or backbone fibre experience Demonstrated design and permitting experience in Alberta in both urban and rural settings Proven leadership experience managing internal and external design resources, including running competitive tenders for subcontracted services Experience securing Municipal Access Agreements (MAAs) with Alberta municipalities Long-Haul Fibre Design Expertise Strong working knowledge of: Backbone fibre routing and OSP design Strand assignment and fibre management Splice planning Aerial and underground construction methods Constructability reviews and as-built standards Strong knowledge of industry best practices and standard specifications for fibre design and construction Experience in ISP design is considered an asset Alberta Urban & Rural Design Urban: congested utility corridors, municipal right-of-way requirements, crossings of major infrastructure, and design for traffic and public impact Rural: road allowance and highway right-of-way routing, private land easements, Crown land, lease roads, bridge, pipeline, rail, and watercourse crossings, and long-distance route optimization Regulatory & Permitting Knowledge In-depth understanding of Alberta regulatory and permitting frameworks, including: Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC) permitting Municipal and county approvals Pipeline and rail crossing agreements W