Senior Associate, Design - Life Sciences

Unispace•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Unispace, we are committed to transforming workplaces to meet the diverse needs of today’s dynamic global brands. Our agile, end-to-end approach is delivered seamlessly across borders, fueled by strong client partnerships and supported by insightful workplace intelligence and innovative technology. We believe that everyone deserves to work in an environment that inspires productivity, fosters peak performance, and promotes overall well-being. Across our 48 global studios, we recognize that positive work environments cultivate open, collaborative, and supportive cultures, enriched by the contributions of independent and motivated individuals from all backgrounds. While our core business revolves around strategizing, designing and building workplaces for some of the world's leading brands, we understand that our people are our greatest asset. We prioritize their growth and well-being through a comprehensive Employee Value Proposition program that includes rewards and recognition, career development opportunities, and a strong focus on mental and physical well-being. To further support our team, we embrace flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working options that empower our employees to balance in-office collaboration with remote work flexibility. This approach not only enhances work-life balance but also allows us to harness the full potential of our diverse and talented workforce. Why you’re here You’re an experienced and confident Life Sciences designer ready to take the next step—owning key design packages, contributing to client relationships, and helping shape high-quality, technically complex environments. You bring strong lab planning expertise, thrive in integrated teams, and are passionate about delivering innovative, functional design solutions that meet both client and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

5–8 years of experience in Life Sciences, laboratory or technical design environments
Strong understanding of laboratory planning, programming and design principles
Knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements for lab and workplace environments
Experience producing and coordinating construction documentation
Proficiency in Revit and other design tools (CAD, Adobe Suite, Excel)
Strong communication and presentation skills
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary, integrated teams
Experience contributing to client presentations and design storytelling

Nice To Haves

Exposure to corporate or campus-scale projects is beneficial

Responsibilities

Lead and deliver design packages across projects of varying scale, supporting end-to-end project execution
Plan and develop laboratory environments, including programming, layouts and technical coordination
Collaborate closely with clients to understand requirements and translate them into effective design solutions
Work in partnership with Design Principals and multidisciplinary teams to deliver Unispace’s integrated methodology
Produce and coordinate technical design documentation, ensuring alignment with building codes and regulatory standards
Support construction administration, ensuring design intent is maintained through delivery
Apply QA/QC processes to ensure accuracy, consistency and quality across all design outputs
Coordinate with consultants, engineers and delivery teams to resolve technical challenges and drive project outcomes
Develop and present design concepts clearly and confidently to clients and stakeholders
Contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration and continuous improvement