Science and Lab Specialist

Smith•Atlanta, GA

21h

About The Position

The Science and Lab Specialist is a leadership role combining strategic client alignment, business development, and technical expertise in planning and designing complex research, development, manufacturing, and distribution environments. The role supports clients across pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, materials science, aerospace and defense, automotive, chemicals, energy, and food and beverage sectors, including cGMP facilities, laboratories, utilities, and controlled manufacturing spaces in both new construction and existing-facility renovations. The specialist translates scientific requirements, mechanical engineering needs, and safety regulations into functional, compliant facility designs. Work includes programming and feasibility studies; long-range master planning; laboratory and technical-space planning; chemical and hazardous-material management; regulatory and safety guidance; workflow and process optimization; and advising on equipment, instrumentation, LIMS, and automation. The role helps clients optimize space, airflow, containment, throughput, and operational workflows from early concept through design and delivery, while aligning facility design with business and supply-chain objectives. As a project and client leader, the specialist leads programming and planning with project teams and clients, serves as a key client-facing subject matter expert, manages budgets and planning staff, coordinates with consultants, and supports project schedules, quality, and profitability. The role also mentors staff, contributes to company standards and training, supports quality control, and advances business development through client relationships, proposals, presentations, interviews, industry participation, and thought leadership. The position includes travel and other duties as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in architecture, science, engineering, or a related field.
10–15 years of related experience in R&D laboratory operations, chemical manufacturing engineering, or specialized planning within an AEC firm or industry.
At least 7 years of project management experience.
Ability to lead a team and make client presentations.
Extensive knowledge and experience within the local and regional market.
Strong team leadership, mentoring, motivational, organizational, and people skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Willingness to travel.
Commitment to being an active participant in MPS culture.
Experience with technically complex research, development, manufacturing, and distribution facilities, including planning, programming, concept design, and early-phase capital planning.
Strong understanding of operational flows, regulatory compliance such as cGMP and FDA requirements, and environmental classifications.
Hands-on experience with greenfield and brownfield project development, including scoping and executing work in active operating facilities.
Strong background across discovery-through-distribution operations, including layout design, process optimization, material handling system integration, and value stream mapping.

Nice To Haves

Planning experience with industry, government, and educational facilities.
Programming, planning, and design experience in physical science research environments, including biologics and chemistry laboratories, cleanrooms, vibration-sensitive laboratories, quantum computing, and engineering.
Demonstrated experience in client relationship development and business development.
Knowledge of applicable planning and design guidelines and codes.
Experience in sustainable and/or regenerative design.
Understanding of basic building physics, low-carbon materials, and high-performance design strategies.
Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office products, AI, and graphics software.

Responsibilities

Define facility space metrics, workflows, equipment, infrastructure, and chemical requirements through programming and feasibility work.
Develop long-range campus and facility master plans for growth, reconfiguration, and asset repositioning.
Plan specialized technical spaces and the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems needed to support research and production environments.
Align facility layouts with environmental, health, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Determine how chemicals will be stored, moved, and disposed of, and calculate Control Areas to comply with NFPA regulations and maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials.
Advise clients on laboratory design, regulatory compliance, workflow optimization, equipment validation, spatial layouts, airflow, containment, and safety protocols.
Apply Lean and Six Sigma methods to reduce waste and improve sample turnaround times.
Advise on instrumentation, LIMS, and automation integration.
Build and maintain client relationships and provide subject matter expertise to define client needs and develop solutions for capital projects.
Drive business development across relevant regulated manufacturing and industrial sectors by cultivating executive-level relationships, identifying capital program opportunities, and positioning the firm as a consulting partner.
Lead complex client engagements across supply chains, from laboratory and scale-up through warehousing and manufacturing, from early concept through design and delivery.
Develop facility optimization strategies using automation, throughput modeling, layout planning, and operational workflows.
Align facility design with clients' long-term business and supply-chain objectives and pursue measurable value in cost, service, and efficiency.
Guide integrated solutions that combine architectural planning and design, engineering, operational planning, and capital investment strategy.
Lead programming and planning with the project team and client and serve as a key contact and subject matter expert on the client-facing team.
Establish, track, and maintain programming and planning budgets; manage planning staff; and coordinate with engineering, acoustics, wind/wake, industrial hygiene, code, and other consultants.
Work with the project team to meet schedule, quality, budget, and profit goals.
Lead collection of project requirements, including goals, facility functions, room requirements, adjacencies, and blocking and stacking.
Direct preparation of program statements, planning documents, contract documents, and specifications for research, production, and related spaces.
Write technical specifications that comply with standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
Evaluate laboratory equipment, cabinetry, and casework and assist clients with selection.
Advance sustainable initiatives, increase sustainable-design literacy, and ensure an integrated design process on projects.
Mentor planning staff and support their development and advancement.
Contribute program-specific content, including benchmarking information, BIM libraries, master specifications, and planning standards.
Participate in quality control through peer reviews, project charrettes, and daily mentoring.
Participate in program and company training, recognition, and awards programs, and develop and present in-house education and training.
Establish and maintain client relationships; participate in project capture planning; and contribute to proposals and presentations.
Support winning work at interviews and present program expertise and capabilities to prospective clients.
Build industry expertise through conference and seminar presentations, technical publications, professional organizations and societies, and company-sanctioned social media.