Description
Step into a senior leadership role where you'll own the strategic vision for our Engineering Design department and shape how we win and deliver work. You'll integrate strategy, budgets, and operations to drive cost certainty and design excellence from schematic through construction documents. As the senior face of design, you'll partner with customers and external stakeholders to influence outcomes and accelerate decisions.
You'll lead and mentor a high-performing team, set measurable goals, and turn value engineering into real savings without compromising quality. From conceptual estimates to design-assist/design-build execution, you'll ensure scope, VE, and preconstruction commitments are captured in final documents and reflected in project performance. If you're ready to pair technical authority with business acumen, presenting to the C-suite, shaping markets, and building lasting client relationships, this is your seat at the table.
RK Overview
RK Industries (RK) is a second-generation family-owned business built on hard work and strong values. Led by brothers Rick and Jon Kinning, we take pride in delivering a wide range of hands-on services including construction, manufacturing, custom fabrication, and building services. With seven specialized business units working in close coordination, we ensure every job is done right from start to finish. Our proven methods, focus on safety, and commitment to quality help bring our customers' biggest ideas to life.
Position Summary
Lead and oversee the engineering design department, ensuring the integration of strategic initiatives, budget alignment, and operational efficiency. Act as a senior leader in work acquisition processes, including cost management, value engineering, and the overall delivery of preconstruction phases. Foster relationships with external stakeholders and represent the engineering design function at the executive level.
Role Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the strategic vision for the engineering design department.
- Ensure alignment of departmental goals with corporate objectives.
- Represent the department in executive meetings and decision-making processes.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering design team.
- Oversee the creation of schematic designs and design development estimates.
- Manage the tracking and reporting of project variances from schematic through construction documents.
- Follow the design assist and design build projects through preconstruction. Verify all value engineering and preconstruction agreements have been incorporated into the final construction documents.
- Maintain or enhance project costs throughout the design phase.
- Ensure comprehensive contract scope negotiations and compliance with budget, VE, and trends.
- Foster and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders during preconstruction and construction phases.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for design-related inquiries from external stakeholders.
- Build and enhance customer relations to support business development efforts.
- Ensure all plans and specifications are current and accessible on the company server.
- Attend and contribute to design meetings for Design-Build and Design-Assist projects.
- Provide oversight for engineering drawings and model assistance during construction.
- Ensure the accuracy and completeness of conceptual estimates and budgets.
- Prepare and present executive-level reports to upper management.
- Establish and measure department goals, ensuring continuous improvement.
- Conduct performance reviews and evaluations for design staff.
- Ensure compliance with all company policies and safety regulations.
- Stay informed of market demands and adjust departmental strategies accordingly.
- Participate in formulating narrative scopes and other relevant project documentation.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by senior leadership.
Qualifications
- Must be a Professional Engineer with a current license
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with a proven track record in leading large-scale engineering and design projects.
- Expertise in the field with significant experience in mechanical, refrigeration, and plumbing sectors.
- Strong strategic planning, organizational, and analytical skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
- Demonstrated leadership with a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment.
- Proficiency in evaluating technical drawings and project proposals.
What Sets RK Industries Apart
- Safety: Our unmatched culture of safety is our foremost core value, guiding everything we do each day: Health, Safety, & Environmental
- Awards: Whether in Construction, Manufacturing, Fabrication, or Service, RK Industries is highly recognized and accredited throughout the industry: Accreditations & Recognition
- Benefits: RK Industries offers competitive benefits to support your growth and well-being: Benefits & Rewards
- Philanthropy: RK Industries not only builds our community through our projects, but also invests in it by supporting local services for over a decade through the RK Foundation: RK Foundation
- Development: Through RK University, we provide hands-on training and development opportunities that empower employees to advance their careers and grow within the company, to include leadership and technical learning opportunities, we well as our accredited apprentice program: RK University & RK Apprenticeship Program
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
RK Industries, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law
RK Industries
Jul 31, 2025