Senior Associate, Design - Life Sciences

Unispace•New York, NY

About The Position

At Unispace, we create spaces that empower people and businesses to thrive. We are a global design-build partner delivering workplace and life sciences projects for some of the world’s most innovative brands. Our integrated approach brings strategy, design, project management, and delivery together under one roof. This means designers are involved from the very beginning of a project through to construction and handover, working closely with clients, consultants, and delivery teams to turn complex requirements into environments that genuinely work. Within Life Sciences, this involves creating highly technical spaces where design quality, functionality, compliance, and operational performance are paramount. This role offers the opportunity to join a global, design-led business, take a leading role on technically complex Life Sciences projects, build strong client relationships, and shape laboratories and specialist environments from concept through to delivery.

Requirements

Around 5–8+ years’ experience within Life Sciences, laboratory, research, or other highly technical design environments.
Strong laboratory planning experience, including programming, layouts, and technical coordination.
A solid understanding of how laboratories and specialist environments operate.
Experience delivering projects from concept through design development and construction.
Strong technical design capability and experience producing coordinated construction documentation.
Strong Revit capability, alongside proficiency with wider design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and CAD.
Good knowledge of building codes, regulatory requirements, and compliance within technical environments.
Confidence working directly with clients and presenting design concepts.
Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary consultant teams.
Strong understanding of detailing, materials, FF&E, and technical specifications.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining design quality and technical accuracy.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within an integrated design-build environment would be highly advantageous.
Exposure to larger corporate, research, campus, or multi-building Life Sciences environments would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

Leading design packages across Life Sciences, laboratory, and technical projects of varying scale.
Planning and developing laboratory environments, including programming, layouts, adjacencies, and technical coordination.
Working directly with clients to understand scientific, operational, and business requirements and translate them into effective design solutions.
Developing strong client relationships and acting as a trusted design partner throughout the project lifecycle.
Leading projects through concept design, design development, and construction documentation.
Producing and overseeing detailed technical drawing and construction document packages.
Ensuring designs meet relevant building codes, regulatory requirements, and technical standards.
Coordinating closely with MEP, engineering, specialist consultants, and internal delivery teams.
Resolving complex technical and coordination challenges throughout design and construction.
Supporting construction administration and helping ensure design intent is maintained on site.
Applying strong QA/QC processes across design documentation.
Developing and confidently presenting design concepts to clients and stakeholders.
Supporting pitches, proposals, and wider business development activity.
Mentoring and supporting more junior members of the design team.
Contributing to wider design standards, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the business.