Director of Laboratory Planning

KIRKSEY ARCHITECTS INC•Houston, TX

11d

About The Position

The Director of Laboratory Planning leads the programming and planning of scientific or industrial research, production, and teaching laboratories within the Science & Technology practice. This role combines scientific facility expertise with architectural coordination, serving as the primary advisor on lab functionality, workflows, equipment needs, safety, and regulatory compliance. The role includes client interface and coordination, and project team guidance, from early concept through detailed design phases of projects to ensure that laboratory environments are efficient, safe, flexible, and aligned with client goals.

Requirements

Professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
Background in architecture, laboratory planning, engineering, science facilities management, or a related science / technical field.
Extensive experience with laboratory programming and planning across multiple scientific disciplines.
Strong knowledge of lab equipment, scientific processes, building systems integration, and regulatory requirements.
Excellent communication and facilitation skills for working with highly technical user groups.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an architecture or design firm environment is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the firm’s subject matter expert in laboratory planning for academic, commercial, healthcare, institutional, industrial, and government science facilities.
Lead user programming sessions with researchers, facility managers, and technical staff to define space requirements, workflows, equipment lists, adjacencies, and operational needs.
Develop laboratory planning concepts, diagrams, blocking and stacking, test fits, space metrics, and functional layouts.
Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and consultants to integrate lab requirements with building systems including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, process utilities, and environmental health and safety systems.
Ensure all laboratory designs meet applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements such as biosafety, chemical safety, cGMP, GLP, vivarium standards, and sustainability guidelines.
Review and coordinate specialty systems including laboratory casework and furnishings, fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, gas distribution, and equipment infrastructure.
Conduct reviews during design documentation and construction to verify compliance with planning intent.
Provide guidance on laboratory design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in research and development environments.
Oversee and mentor Laboratory Planners and architectural staff, and provide training and quality control for lab related project deliverables. This includes identifying internal and external staff appropriate to grow into Laboratory Planner or similar roles.
Support project management teams with scope definition, fee development, staffing requirements, and project schedules for lab related work.
Participate in business development, including proposal writing, interviews, client presentations, and project strategy. Participate in industry-related events to ensure the firm remains at the forefront of laboratory planning, visible in the appropriate markets, and is known and available to potential clients and partners.
Maintain strong client relationships and act as a trusted advisor throughout design and construction.