Senior Architect - Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences

SSOE, Inc. • Durham, NC

2d • $120,000 - $160,000

About The Position

As a Senior Architect at SSOE, you will be a pivotal leader in shaping the architectural landscape of pharmaceutical and life sciences facilities, directly impacting product quality, patient safety, and scientific discovery. Your deep understanding of building codes, GMP regulations, FDA guidance documents, and code analysis will be crucial in ensuring the safety, functionality, regulatory compliance, and operational integrity of our innovative designs. You will thrive in a collaborative, design-build environment where your technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and problem-solving skills will be highly valued. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on technically demanding projects across the design lifecycle, lead internal project teams, mentor developing architects, and directly contribute to the success of our pharmaceutical, biotech, and institutional clients and the growth of our firm in this mission-critical sector.
At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
• Active Registered Architect (RA) license in good standing within the U.S., with ability to obtain reciprocity as needed (typically limited and not anticipated to be a frequent requirement).
• 10+ years of architectural experience, with a strong and demonstrated focus on pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences facilities, including GMP manufacturing, laboratory, and/or pilot plant design.
• Proven leadership in managing and guiding internal design teams through all project phases, from programming and concept design through construction administration and commissioning/qualification support, within a design-build delivery model.
• Deep understanding of cGMP regulations, ISPE Baseline Guides, and their direct impact on architectural design, material selection, finish detailing, and spatial adjacencies for contamination control.
• Expertise in interpreting and applying IBC, IFC, NFPA 45, NFPA 30, NFPA 400, NFPA 101, and ADA/ABA codes and standards within laboratory and pharmaceutical manufacturing occupancy types; thorough understanding of control area concept for hazardous materials management.
• Working knowledge of cleanroom HVAC principles, including air changes per hour, HEPA filtration, pressure cascades, temperature/humidity control, and their spatial and architectural envelope implications.
• Proficiency in Revit and BIM workflows is required; working knowledge of AutoCAD, Navisworks, Bluebeam, and other industry-standard tools is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and client-facing skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical, regulatory, and design concepts to diverse audiences including quality assurance, validation, operations, and facility management professionals.
• A portfolio demonstrating thoughtful, code-compliant, and GMP-driven design solutions for pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences facilities.
• Experience participating in activities such as, client interviews, proposal preparation, and relationship cultivation within the life sciences industry.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV) processes, including Design Qualification (DQ), Installation Qualification (IQ), and the architectural role in establishing the qualified facility envelope.
• Knowledge of LEED or Green Globes certification application within laboratory and pharmaceutical environments; understanding of high-performance building envelope and energy reduction strategies for high-air-change facilities.
• NCARB certification and ability to pursue architectural registration in multiple states.
• Demonstrated success working within an integrated design-build project delivery environment on fast-track pharmaceutical projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the architectural design and planning process for a portfolio of complex pharmaceutical and life sciences projects, including cGMP manufacturing suites, pilot plants, process development laboratories, quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) laboratories, research and development (R&D) laboratories, and associated warehouse and utility support facilities.
• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day oversight to internal architectural project teams, ensuring the production of coordinated, high-quality construction documents that meet stringent client specifications, current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations, FDA guidance, and industry standards.
• Guide the seamless integration of architectural design by collaborating closely with all of SSOE’s engineering disciplines to ensure holistic coordination, constructability, and operational performance within a GMP environment.
• Interpret and apply the relevant codes for all project phases, including in-depth interpretation and application of the International Building Code (IBC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Fire Code (IFC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 45 (Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals), NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code), NFPA 400 (Hazardous Materials Code), and the full suite of accessibility codes and standards (ADA, ABA).
• Apply knowledge of occupancy classifications (H, B, F-1), control area strategies per IBC, building height and area allowances, fire area separations, fire protection and suppression systems including gaseous and water mist systems for sensitive environments, egress strategies from classified spaces, fire-resistive construction, and accessibility requirements specific to laboratory and controlled production environments.
• Interpret building code and GMP regulatory intent in ambiguous or specialized scenarios and provide authoritative guidance to internal teams, clients, and regulatory authorities.
• Lead peer reviews, quality assurance/quality control checks, and constructability reviews, with a particular focus on GMP compliance, architectural finish detailing (seamless, cleanable, chemically resistant), cleanroom envelope integrity, and avoidance of ledges, cracks, and crevices that could harbor contamination.
• Collaborate intensively with process engineers, validation specialists, commissioning/qualification (C&Q) teams, engineering, project management, and preconstruction teams in a design-build environment, contributing to early-phase planning, basis of design documentation, user requirement specifications (URS), design qualification (DQ), value engineering, target value delivery, and accelerated schedule alignment aligned with drug development milestones.
• Develop and present design concepts, technical strategies, regulatory compliance approaches, and risk assessments to clients, including facility managers, quality assurance directors, and regulatory affairs teams; actively participate in client pursuit interviews and proposal development as part of ongoing business development efforts within the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector.
• Mentor junior architects and technical staff within internal project teams, fostering deep understanding of GMP principles, cleanroom design, laboratory planning, regulatory frameworks, and the architectural detailing required for controlled environments.
• Stay current with evolving GMP regulations, guidelines, and emerging trends such as continuous manufacturing, single-use technologies, modular cleanroom construction, and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs); apply this knowledge to project delivery and firm standards.
• Conduct periodic field observations and site visits to assess existing conditions within operating facilities, monitor construction progress, verify conformance with design intent and GMP requirements, and resolve design and compliance-related issues in real time; travel requirements are minimal and typically limited to regional project sites.
• Lead the development and maintenance of architectural standards, master specifications, Revit templates, cleanroom detail libraries, material selection protocols, and documentation protocols to improve efficiency, consistency, GMP compliance, and quality across pharmaceutical and life sciences projects.

Benefits

• comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• life insurance
• 401K retirement savings plan (with company matching)
• opportunities for professional development and training (including support for relevant licensure & certifications)
• generous PTO & paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior