LJC · 13 hours ago
Design Project Manager, Life Sciences
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$140K/yr - $175K/yr
10+ years expLJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. As a Design Project Manager – Life Sciences, you will lead multidisciplinary design teams in the delivery of complex, regulated facilities for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and advanced life sciences clients, ensuring projects meet operational, regulatory, schedule, and budget expectations.
ArchitectureInterior Design
Hiring Manager
Haleigh Brissette
Responsibilities
Lead and manage multidisciplinary architectural and engineering design teams on life sciences projects of varying scale and complexity
Plan, track, and manage project scope, budget, schedule, and staffing to ensure successful delivery and profitability
Serve as the primary point of coordination between design teams, construction teams, and external consultants to support LJC/Clayco’s integrated design-build delivery
Lead multidisciplinary coordination reviews to ensure cohesive, well-integrated design solutions, while confirming discipline-level quality control processes are executed
Identify and proactively manage project risks, scope changes, and technical challenges throughout the design lifecycle
Oversee the development of designs from early planning and concept through detailed design and construction documentation
Ensure designs align with GMP, FDA, and other applicable regulatory requirements, engaging subject matter experts as needed
Review design deliverables, submittals, RFIs, and change documentation to maintain alignment with design intent and project objectives
Participate in site visits and coordination meetings to verify design intent is being executed and constructability concerns are addressed early
Serve as the primary design-side contact for assigned projects, maintaining clear, consistent, and proactive communication with clients
Lead design presentations, technical reviews, and project update meetings with clients and internal leadership
Build trusted client relationships through accountability, responsiveness, and technical credibility
Support front-end project efforts by contributing to proposal development, interviews, pursuit strategies, and early project definition
Mentor engineers and designers, supporting professional growth and development of future project leaders
Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment aligned with Clayco’s culture and values
Contribute to the development and refinement of LJC’s design standards, tools, workflows, and best practices for life sciences projects
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or a related technical field
10+ years of experience in engineering or architectural design for GMP, FDA, or other regulated manufacturing environments
Prior experience as a design project manager or demonstrated leadership as a senior technical discipline lead on complex projects
Proven experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences facility design
Strong understanding of construction methods, process systems, and regulatory-driven design requirements
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex coordination efforts
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with confidence presenting to clients and senior stakeholders
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Ability to travel to project sites and client facilities as required
Resilient, adaptable, and motivated by fast-paced, complex project environments
Preferred
Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, or similar design tools
Benefits
Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Company
LJC
LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
LJC has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2024 (11)
2023 (9)
2022 (5)
2021 (5)
2020 (6)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
unknown2018-10-24Acquired
Leadership Team
L
Lamar Johnson
President and CEO
Recent News
2025-10-13
2025-04-26
Company data provided by crunchbase