Senior Design Manager - Critical Facilities & Tech R&D Labs

Role Summary

Lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex research laboratories and critical facilities. This role combines hands-on laboratory programming with architectural design management for projects such as high-density labs, data centers, AI facilities, semiconductor R&D spaces, robotics environments, and other technology-intensive buildings.

The Senior Design Manager will serve as a primary client contact, lead multidisciplinary teams, and take responsibility for technical quality, project schedules, budgets, and delivery from early planning through construction closeout. Gensler's Critical Facilities posting emphasizes leadership of high-tech projects, client relationships, technical coordination, and financial management.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Planning and Design

1. Lead programming for new and renovated R&D facilities, working directly with scientists, researchers, lab managers, facilities teams, and other technical users.
   
2. Translate research processes and equipment requirements into space plans, room layouts, workflows, and critical adjacencies.
   
3. Plan flexible, safe laboratory environments that accommodate evolving technology, future growth, and connections to workplace and support spaces.
   
4. Develop architectural solutions for specialized spaces such as dry labs, clean rooms, semiconductor testing areas, robotics labs, and other high-density technical environments.
   

1. Lead the architectural design and delivery of complex, infrastructure-intensive projects, including laboratories, data centers, and other critical facilities.
   
2. Coordinate laboratory and building requirements with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and specialized equipment systems.
   
3. Guide design documentation, technical detailing, specifications, and QA/QC reviews; resolve complex design and coordination issues.
   
4. Coordinate with consultants and authorities having jurisdiction on codes, approvals, accessibility, and applicable technical requirements.
   
5. Support construction administration, field reviews, punch lists, turnover, and closeout while maintaining design intent.
   

1. Lead multidisciplinary project teams and communicate objectives, scope, responsibilities, schedules, and deliverables.
   
2. Manage staffing, work plans, budgets, fees, change orders, and overall project financial performance.
   
3. Serve as a primary liaison with clients, consultants, contractors, and vendors throughout the project lifecycle.
   
4. Prepare proposals and support scope, contract, and fee discussions.
   
5. Present planning concepts and technical recommendations; build lasting client relationships and support new business opportunities.
   
6. Mentor architects and lab planners, share technical knowledge, and help grow the practice.
   

1. Bachelor's degree in Architecture or a related field.
   
2. Approximately 10+ years of relevant architectural or laboratory planning experience, including leadership of project teams.
   
3. Strong experience programming and designing complex R&D laboratories or similarly technical facilities.
   
4. Experience managing projects through design documentation and construction, including scope, schedule, budget, and consultant coordination.
   
5. Working knowledge of building codes, construction methods, laboratory operations, equipment planning, and MEP coordination.
   
6. Strong client-facing communication, presentation, and team leadership skills.
   
7. Proficiency in Revit.
   

Preferred: Architectural license, LEED AP, and experience with data centers, clean rooms, semiconductor facilities, robotics spaces, SCIFs, or advanced manufacturing.