Lab Planner
Architecture Seattle, Washington
Contract/CTH May 27, 2026
Architecture
A leading global architecture and design firm is seeking a Senior Tech R&D Lab Planner to join its Advanced Technology team. This interior architecture role is suited for a lab planning specialist with a minimum of 10 years of experience working in complex R&D and technical environments. An architectural license is preferred but not required for this role.
The role focuses on supporting clients designing the hardware fueling the Artificial Intelligence movement. Project work centers on dry lab environments, including bench labs, clean rooms, chamber rooms, data hall labs, and SCIFs. The position will support facilities for semiconductor testing, advanced manufacturing, GPU rack testing, and robotics development, among other disciplines. Candidates may not have experience in all these lab types but should demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow within the team.
The Lab Planner will bring strong programming and planning skills, with the ability to guide clients toward optimal lab layouts while balancing technical, operational, and spatial constraints. Experience integrating workplace environments with lab spaces is essential, along with the ability to collaborate closely with stakeholders to deliver highly functional, flexible interior solutions.
The ideal candidate functions well within a collaborative team structure, leveraging expertise across interdisciplinary teams and coordinating with partner consultants and contractors. As many clients operate globally, the role may also involve collaboration with international offices and project teams. The candidate should also have a desire to mentor and develop junior designers interested in R&D lab design work.
What You Will Do
Compensation is expected to range between $110,000–$170,000 annually, plus bonuses and benefits, depending on relevant experience.
This position requires in-office attendance 2-3 days a week.
The role focuses on supporting clients designing the hardware fueling the Artificial Intelligence movement. Project work centers on dry lab environments, including bench labs, clean rooms, chamber rooms, data hall labs, and SCIFs. The position will support facilities for semiconductor testing, advanced manufacturing, GPU rack testing, and robotics development, among other disciplines. Candidates may not have experience in all these lab types but should demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow within the team.
The Lab Planner will bring strong programming and planning skills, with the ability to guide clients toward optimal lab layouts while balancing technical, operational, and spatial constraints. Experience integrating workplace environments with lab spaces is essential, along with the ability to collaborate closely with stakeholders to deliver highly functional, flexible interior solutions.
The ideal candidate functions well within a collaborative team structure, leveraging expertise across interdisciplinary teams and coordinating with partner consultants and contractors. As many clients operate globally, the role may also involve collaboration with international offices and project teams. The candidate should also have a desire to mentor and develop junior designers interested in R&D lab design work.
What You Will Do
- Work directly with clients, internal teams, researchers, and related end-users to develop laboratory planning strategies at all levels of detail for both new construction and renovation projects.
- Offer and support creative, sustainability-focused laboratory planning, technical design, and detailing solutions aligned with project goals while pushing beyond traditional approaches to lab design, particularly within private industry.
- Provide technical lab documentation oversight and quality control (QC) reviews. Revise, develop, and produce plans, elevations, and details based on verbal and written instructions.
- Direct document production in accordance with project-specific checklists, firm standards, and QA/QC programs.
- Manage day-to-day project and client coordination for laboratory projects from initial planning through construction.
- Assist in the development of standard materials describing the firm’s Advanced Technology and Mission Critical Facilities portfolio, systems, and processes.
- Work closely with leadership teams to identify and recruit top-tier talent.
- Lead relationships with clients, contractors, agencies, engineering teams, and specialty consultants.
- Manage mid-size to large project teams and mentor junior staff.
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from an accredited school with at least 10+ years of architectural or related experience.
- Architectural licensure preferred but not required.
- Proficiency in Revit preferred.
- Knowledge of laboratory programming delivery and how design impacts operational systems, including space planning, equipment programming, MEP systems, and casework.
- Significant experience working directly with senior management representatives, scientists, laboratory managers and technicians, facilities teams, project managers, and other stakeholders to determine and document programmatic requirements.
- LEED accreditation preferred.
- Commitment to sustainable design principles and resilient communities, demonstrated through prior project work.
- Strong technical knowledge related to laboratory and technical room/space development, including coordination with equipment and specialized technical requirements.
- Ability to work with end users to develop process flows, planning strategies, and critical adjacencies for research and laboratory environments to optimize efficiency and flexibility.
- Leadership experience managing client expectations, multidisciplinary teams, and project scope/schedule/budget.
- Advanced knowledge of architectural planning and design processes, construction documentation, construction administration, and code requirements.
- Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to articulate ideas clearly in interviews and presentations.
- Proven ability to develop, motivate, and mentor teams internally and externally.
Compensation is expected to range between $110,000–$170,000 annually, plus bonuses and benefits, depending on relevant experience.
This position requires in-office attendance 2-3 days a week.