Lab Planner

DGA•Newport Beach, CA

4d•$110,000 - $150,000

About The Position

DGA is seeking a Lab Planner with expertise in architectural lab programming and planning for science and technology facilities. The role works closely with Principals, Project Managers, designers, clients, and users, and provides leadership in planning facilities such as teaching and research laboratories, vivariums, and STEM facilities for academic, corporate research, and government clients. The position combines creative design, technical expertise, and lab planning across life science, biotech, high-tech laboratory, and critical facilities projects. The Lab Planner develops and validates program requirements, creates space programs and physical plans at a range of scales, and collaborates with project teams on flexible planning grids, lab organization, and service distribution. The role also leads documentation of laboratory systems and spaces, contributes to marketing, and helps ensure designs and construction documents meet applicable codes, regulations, standards, and environmental requirements. The successful candidate will build trusted client relationships, guide construction-document production, share expertise, and mentor junior staff. DGA describes itself as a people-focused firm and offers pay, benefits, a staff development allowance, and a bonus program.

Requirements

At least 8 years of architectural lab programming/planning and project architecture experience.
Demonstrated effectiveness in managing clients, project teams, and project processes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, and industry-accepted software such as Microsoft Office Suite products.

Nice To Haves

Architectural registration is preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate creativity, passion, and interest in the design and planning of laboratories within technical facilities.
Apply knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements for laboratory design.
Communicate laboratory planning needs verbally and in writing to designers, team members, and clients.
Meet with clients and users to develop or validate program requirements for laboratory and high-tech facilities.
Develop space programs and physical plans at a variety of scales.
Collaborate with project teams to develop flexible planning grids, laboratory organization diagrams, and service distribution concepts.
Lead documentation of laboratory systems, including casework and lab equipment, and develop laboratory spaces for discovery.
Participate in marketing efforts through proposal development, interview participation, and presentations.
Ensure designs and construction documents adhere to applicable building codes, zoning regulations, industry standards, and environmental requirements.
Determine and guide production of comprehensive construction documents, including drawings, specifications, and other necessary documents.
Develop trusting relationships with clients.
Share expertise with colleagues and mentor junior staff members.