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Role Description

DesignGroup is seeking an experienced Senior Lab Planner to support programming, planning, and design of complex laboratory environments across our growing Science & Technology (S&T) sector, and will serve laboratory design in other sectors, including Education, Commercial, and Healthcare. This role focuses on translating scientific workflows, research, and learning needs into high-performing, technically sound laboratory spaces.

• Lead programming sessions with scientists, researchers, faculty, and end users to document functional and operational needs.
• Develop laboratory space programs, room data sheets, adjacency diagrams, equipment lists, and workflow assessments.
• Create conceptual lab layouts and planning strategies that incorporate safety requirements, ergonomics, and best practices in research environments.
• Coordinate laboratory requirements, utilities, and infrastructure with engineering partners.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and project managers to support the development of schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
• Provide technical oversight for laboratory components, including benching systems, fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, cleanroom elements, and specialist support spaces.
• Ensure lab design aligns with relevant codes, standards, and guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with internal project teams and external consultants to maintain alignment on scope, schedule, and technical expectations.
• Facilitate client meetings, planning workshops, and user group sessions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout project delivery, communicating complex technical requirements clearly and effectively.
• Maintain industry-leading design expertise and create content to be leveraged with external industry, professional organizations and business networks.
• Assist with the preparation of proposals and qualifications packages; create content aligned with pursuit strategies.
• Provide planning guidance during construction administration as needed.
• Assist with quality control reviews related to laboratory layouts and technical features.
• Oversee, curate, and refine the firm’s lab planning tools, programming benchmarking, BIM model resources, detail libraries, product and specification preferences, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5-10 years of progressive experience in laboratory planning within Science & Technology, Higher Education, Healthcare, or related research and commercial lab environments.
• Professional registration (RA, NCIDQ, or equivalent is preferred).
• Demonstrated expertise in programming, lab planning, equipment coordination, and workflow development.
• Strong understanding of laboratory systems, adjacencies, safety standards (BSL), and infrastructure requirements.
• Proficiency in Revit; ability to review and interpret BIM models.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, researchers, and client stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex technical and scientific requirements into clear, functional planning solutions.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; able to manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently.
• Demonstrated ability to lead meetings, facilitate user groups, and present ideas clearly and confidently.
• Ability to travel as required for client meetings, workshops, and site visits.