Program Manager of Technical Development

DLB Associates

79d•$133,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Must be located near a major US 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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
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

Benefits

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