Design Manager in Calgary

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.
• 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.
  • 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.
  • Experience with environmental and archaeological requirements in Alberta is considered an asset.
• Technical Skills
  • AutoCAD and GIS (ArcGIS or QGIS) experience is considered an asset.
  • Experience with network asset management platforms is considered an asset.
  • Experience with Smartsheet, Microsoft Office, and Trimble Construction One is considered an asset.
• Education & Licences
  • An engineering degree or diploma in Telecommunications, Electrical, Civil, or a related discipline is considered an asset.
  • P.Eng., P.L.(Eng.), or C.E.T. designation is considered an asset.
  • Valid Class 5 Alberta driver's license with clean drivers abstract.

Core Competencies

• Proven ability to lead designers, CAD/GIS staff, surveyors, environmental consultants, permitting staff, and subcontracted engineering firms.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and works well with a high degree of autonomy.
• Alberta-based experience and a strong understanding of how projects get done here.
• Comfortable in a growing company where processes are still evolving.
• Hands-on and willing to pitch in wherever the team needs support.
• Clear, open communicator who raises issues early and follows through on commitments.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive 100% employer-paid health benefits (dental care, vision care, disability insurance).
• Paid time off.
• Competitive wages based on experience and qualifications.
• Daily living-out allowance (LOA) for travel to project sites.
• Company events and employee celebrations.
• Supportive team environment.
• The opportunity to build and shape a growing design function.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement within BAAC Construction Inc.

Why Join BAAC Construction?

• Lead high-demand long-haul fibre optic infrastructure projects across Alberta.
• Shape the design standards and specifications of a growing company.
• Be part of a team committed to quality, safety, and excellence.
• Join a growing company with steady work and long-term career opportunities.
• Build your career with a respected civil construction and telecommunications contractor.

Equal Opportunity Employer. BAAC Construction is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and provide equal employment opportunities without regard to legally protected characteristics.