Design Lead - Lab/Admin,

Kelly Services; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Services is engaged in a major greenfield bioconjugation and biologics campus project in Goochland County, Virginia. The design lead will oversee Lab/Admin, Welcome Center, and Security design efforts to meet GMP and pharmaceutical expectations.

The role requires a strong track record in capital project design delivery, ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, and collaboration with an external Design-Build contractor. Onsite in Richmond, VA with limited travel.

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.
• Working knowledge of laboratory functional design and general office space planning.

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 with the Design-Build contractor to maintain design intent and ensure cost and schedule commitments.
• Own overall design delivery for the node through 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 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

Design leadership

Engineering design

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Stakeholder leadership

Communication

Design-Build

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

Design Leadership – Lab/Admin Node

• 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.