Design Lead - Lab/Admin,

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom in Richmond, VA is seeking a senior design leader to drive the Lab/Admin, Welcome Center, and Security spaces for a new bioconjugation and biologics campus. You will shepherd design through concept, basic, and detailed phases, ensuring compliance with GMP and regulatory standards.

You will coordinate with the Design-Build contractor, manage design reviews, and guide laboratories and admin spaces with strong stakeholder engagement and risk-managed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Architecture (mechanical, electrical, architectural, or related discipline preferred).
• 6–12 years of engineering/design delivery experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or comparable GMP-regulated capital projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency in laboratory and/or administrative/office building design.
• Proven track record delivering capital projects through Design-Build delivery methods.
• Strong, clear communicator comfortable leading multidisciplinary teams and facilitating complex decisions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of design accountability for the Lab/Admin, Welcome Center, and Security program elements.
• Lead identification and application of Engineering Design Standards, Specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate directly with the Design-Build contractor to maintain design intent and ensure compliance with commitments on cost and schedule.
• Own overall design delivery for the node through all phases (concept, basic, and detailed design).
• Lead reviews, facilitate design sessions, and drive consensus among diverse user groups.
• Guide requirements development for laboratories, administrative spaces, security, and public areas.
• Support design schedule management, invoice validation, and value engineering.
• Integrate lab-specific systems (utilities, casework, equipment, gases) with MEP and process disciplines.
• Act as point-of-contact for problem resolution between contractors, engineering teams, and end users.
• Champion verification, traceability, and best-practice replication from prior capital projects.
• Represent the Lab/Admin node in program-wide status reporting and cross-node coordination forums.

Skills

Leadership

Design standards

Regulatory requirements

Project management

Communication

Team facilitation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Architecture

Job description

About The Opportunity

Join an exciting program supporting the design and delivery of a state-of-the-art, greenfield bioconjugation and biologics campus in Goochland County, Virginia. This role will lead the design efforts for the Lab/Admin building, Welcome Center, and Security scope, ensuring new and renovated capital assets meet world-class standards for pharmaceutical, biotech, and GMP-regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of design accountability for the Lab/Admin, Welcome Center, and Security program elements.
• Lead identification and application of Engineering Design Standards, Specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate directly with the Design-Build contractor to maintain design intent and ensure compliance with commitments on cost and schedule.
• Own overall design delivery for the node through all phases (concept, basic, and detailed design).
• Lead reviews, facilitate design sessions, and drive consensus among diverse user groups.
• Guide requirements development for laboratories, administrative spaces, security, and public areas.
• Support design schedule management, invoice validation, and value engineering.
• Integrate lab-specific systems (utilities, casework, equipment, gases) with MEP and process disciplines.
• Act as point-of-contact for problem resolution between contractors, engineering teams, and end users.
• Champion verification, traceability, and best-practice replication from prior capital projects.
• Represent the Lab/Admin node in program-wide status reporting and cross-node coordination forums.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Architecture (mechanical, electrical, architectural, or related discipline preferred).
• 6–12 years of engineering/design delivery experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or comparable GMP-regulated capital projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency in laboratory and/or administrative/office building design.
• Proven track record delivering capital projects through Design-Build delivery methods.
• Strong, clear communicator comfortable leading multidisciplinary teams and facilitating complex decisions.
• Experienced in project management, design review, negotiation, and issue resolution.
• Working knowledge of laboratory functional design and general office space planning.
• Able to influence without direct authority and build credibility among internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with change control processes and design/verification estimating concepts.

Essential Attributes

• Deep understanding of US capital project delivery processes and Design-Build contractor operations.
• Demonstrated leadership with excellent problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.
• Sound judgment, ability to anticipate scope changes, facilitate resolution, and drive safely for quality, speed, and value.
• Experience with project-specific governance, verification, and risk assessments.

Engagement Model

• Full-time, strictly onsite presence required in Richmond, VA (immediate start).
• Functional reporting to the Program Design Lead; daily coordination with node project management and external Program EPCM team.
• Position term aligned to the Lab/Admin design-to-turnover schedule; possible extension based on project needs.
• Minimal travel expected, with occasional visits to contractor offices as required.

Benefits

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Why Kelly® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting‑edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long‑term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.