Science and Lab Specialist at McMillan Pazdan Smith in Atlanta, GA

Description

Role Description

• Leadership role that blends strategic client alignment with deep technical expertise to secure and guide initiatives across pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, materials science, aerospace/defense, and other advanced manufacturing environments—including cGMP facilities, utilities, laboratories, and controlled manufacturing spaces—in existing facility renovations and new construction.
• Translate complex scientific requirements, mechanical engineering demands, and strict hazard regulations into safe, highly functional building designs.
• Help organizations design, program, and optimize efficient, future-proof R&D and production environments in multiple industry sectors (e.g. materials science, life sciences, aerospace/defense, automotive, chemicals, interdisciplinary science).
• Programming & feasibility: understand and define space metrics, workflows, equipment, infrastructure, and chemical requirements.
• Master planning: design long-range campus and facility plans for growth, reconfiguration, and asset repositioning.
• Technical spaces: understand specialized mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems required to support research and production environments including labs, containment areas, vivaria, and other spaces with fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, gas piping, pure water systems, etc.
• Compliance & safety: align facility layouts with environmental, health and safety regulations. Determine how chemicals will be stored, moved, and disposed of within the facility. Calculate Control Areas to comply with NFPA regulations and MAQ of hazardous materials.
• Provide expert guidance on lab design, regulatory compliance, workflow optimization, and equipment validation for R&D, prototype/scale-up, advanced manufacturing, industrial hygiene, and chemical or pharmaceutical testing facilities.
• Optimize spatial layouts, airflow, containment, and safety protocol.
• Navigate safety and quality standards like ISO/IEC 17025, AIHA-LAP, and OSHA requirements
• Workflow and process optimization: implementing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to cut waste and improve sample turnaround times.
• Equipment and technology selection: advise on instrumentation, LIMS, and automation integration.
• Meet with new and existing clients to develop lasting relationships through the creation of innovative designs. Provide subject matter expertise to help clients define their needs and develop the most efficient, best in class solutions for their capital projects.
• Drive business development across GMP-regulated manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, and food & beverage clients — cultivating executive-level relationships, identifying capital program opportunities, and positioning the firm as a trusted consulting partner.
• Lead complex client engagements across the supply chain, from lab to scale-up to warehousing, and manufacturing, from early concept through design and delivery.
• Provide expert analysis and leadership in developing facility optimization strategies, incorporating automation, throughput modeling, layout planning, and operational workflows.
• Collaborate with clients to align facility design with their long-term business and supply chain objectives, ensuring measurable value creation across cost, service, and efficiency.
• Apply sound business judgment and cross-functional insight to guide integrated solutions that combine architectural planning and design, engineering design, operational planning, and capital investment strategy.

Desired Qualifications:

• ·Specialized technical facility planning and design experience (research, development, prototyping, production).
• New construction & facility transformations.
• Safety, efficiency, and workflow optimization.
• Regulatory consulting.
• Chemical and hazardous materials management.
• 10+ years of AEC consulting experience leading planning, programming, concept design and early-phase capital planning for technically complex research, development, manufacturing and distribution facilities. Strong understanding of operational flows, regulatory compliance (cGMP, FDA, etc.), and environmental classifications.
• Hands-on experience with greenfield and brownfield project development, including scoping and executing work in active operating facilities.
• Excellent communication, client engagement, and cross-functional leadership skills, with a commitment to mentoring teams and delivering high-quality results.
• Strong background across discovery through distribution operations, including layout design, process optimization, material handling system (MHS) integration, and value stream mapping.

Project Performance

• Lead programming and planning efforts with project team and client.
• Be key contact and subject matter expert on client-facing team.
• Establish, track and maintain project programming and planning budget.
• Coordinate programming and planning efforts with other consultants including engineering, acoustics, wind/wake, industrial hygiene, and code.
• Effectively manage other planning team staff.
• Work with entire project team to meet project schedule, quality deliverables, budgets, and profit goals.
• Lead collection of project requirements such as goals and objectives, 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 in compliance with standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate lab equipment, cabinetry and casework and assist clients in selection process.
• Actively work towards meeting sustainable initiatives, elevate sustainable design literacy and ensure that an integrated design process is occurring on all projects.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Program Development and Support

• Mentor planning staff regularly, providing guidance for staff development and advancement.
• Contribute to program-specific content development such as benchmarking information, BIM library, master specifications, planning standards, etc.
• Participate in Quality Control process through peer reviews, project charrettes and daily mentoring.
• Participate in program and company training, recognition and awards programs.
• Develop and present presentations for in-house education and training.

Business Development

• Establish and maintain client relationships.
• Participate in project capture planning in collaboration with business development team.
• Contribute to the development of proposals and presentations.
• Be a difference-maker in winning work at interviews.
• Contribute as a knowledge leader in speaking engagements, authoring technical papers, participation in professional organizations, etc.
• Create and present program expertise and capabilities to prospective clients.

Industry Expertise

• Be an industry thought leader and knowledge expert.
• Conduct technical presentations at national and international industry conferences and seminars.
• Publish technical articles in industry publications.
• Actively participate in client professional organizations and societies (i.e. Tradeline, ISPE, SCUP, etc.).
• Actively participate in company-sanctioned social media venues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, science, engineering, or related field.
• 10-15 years related experience in R&D laboratory operations, chemical manufacturing engineering, or specialized planning within an AEC firm or industry.
• A minimum 7 years project management experience
• Must be able 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
• Must be willing to travel
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in MPS culture

Preferred Qualifications

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