Architecture (Life Science/Lab Focused)

SMMA; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Program

Hybrid work-from-home policy

401(K) matching

Paid time-off and family leave

Job summary

SMMA seeks a design professional with 4–10 years of experience to join our architecture practice in Cambridge, MA. The role focuses on technical projects in life sciences and technology, collaborating with diverse teams.

The firm offers ownership, a hybrid work policy, and robust benefits as part of an employee-owned culture. Salary ranges from $75,000 to $105,000, with emphasis on collaboration and design excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or professional degree required.
• 4–10 years of professional experience in similar projects.
• Pursuing architectural licensure; LEED, WELL, or other sustainable accreditations a plus.
• Familiar with BIM-centered workflow and digital design tools.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/healthcare facilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Organize and collaborate on complex technical projects.
• Prepare design presentation packages, renderings, and reports communicating design intent.
• Develop Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Documents sets.
• Coordinate with internal and external engineering disciplines.
• Lead and support client design and programming presentations.
• Develop complex Code approaches and solutions with subject matter experts.
• Develop construction and project budgets for design and documentation tasks.
• Assist with Construction Administration tasks including submittals and RFIs.
• Collaborate with project teams to compile data and support design phases.
• Communicate effectively with professionals from diverse specialties.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Team collaboration

Proactive attitude

Education

Bachelor's or Professional degree

Tools

BIM workflow

Digital design tools

Job description

SMMA is seeking a 4-10-year experienced design professional to join our practice within our architecture discipline in our Cambridge, MA office. This role is ideal for someone who is interested in working on technical projects (i.e. science & technology) and collaborating with diverse teams.

About the Firm

70 years ago, SMMA pioneered an approach that integrates architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning to turn the most tangled design problems into refined and unexpected answers. Together, our diverse, integrated team of experts works across disciplines, sharing perspectives, inspirations, and ideas. We are bound by mutual trust, aligned by shared values, and united in focus on a single goal—our client’s goal.

Our work straddles seven markets— Life Sciences, Technology, Development, Government, Higher Education, K-12, and Workplace with the opportunity to work across a wide range of projects and specialisms.

SMMA is a 100% employee-owned company, where every team member is an invested stakeholder. Our collective ownership fuels our passion for excellence, driving us to attract top talent and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Here, your voice matters, your ideas shape our future, and your success directly contributes to our shared growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Capable of organizing, contributing, and collaborating on complex technical projects.
• Responsible for preparing design presentation packages, renderings, and reports that communicate design intent to the project team and clients.
• Organize and collaboratively develop the Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Document sets.
• Focused collaboration and coordination with all internal and external engineering disciplines.
• Capable of leading and supporting client design and programming presentations.
• Organize and develop complex Code approaches and solutions in collaboration with various subject matter experts.
• Develop construction budgets, and project budgets, applying this understanding in design and documentation tasks.
• Assist with Construction Administration tasks, including processing submittals, RFIs, and issuing bulletins.
• Collaborate with project teams by compiling data, coordinating programming, and synthesizing information for the design and documentation phases.
• Effective communication skills capable of successfully interacting with professionals from a broad spectrum of specialties.
• Support project leaders in maintaining organization and communication within deliverables and task tracking.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Professional degree
• 4-10 years professional experience, project work experience similar to SMMA’s portfolio preferred
• In pursuit of Architectural licensure; LEED, WELL, or other sustainable accreditations a plus
• Familiar with a BIM-centered workflow and other common and novel digital design and management tools
• Capable of building relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Committed to pursuing excellence in written, visual, and verbal communication
• Flexible, proactive, and optimistic
• 1+ year of experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, higher education, laboratory, technology, or manufacturing facilities preferred.

Company Benefits & Perks

• Employee-owned firm with Employee Stock Ownership Program
• Hybrid work-from-home policy
• Competitive benefits including paid time-off, company-funded MA Paid Family and Medical Leave, company-paid dental plan, company-paid life insurance, and 401(K) matching
• Employee Assistance Program (includes confidential emotional support, legal guidance, and financial resources)
• Mentor/protégé program
• Educational reimbursement
• Licensure and membership reimbursement
• “Lunch and Learns” with internal and external speakers

Please note: SMMA does not offer H-1B visa sponsorship for this position.

The approximate pay range for this position is $75,000 - $105,000.

Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications.