Design Project Manager, Life Sciences

LJC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Annual Bonus

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

A leading architecture and engineering firm is seeking a Design Project Manager to lead multidisciplinary design teams in delivering complex life sciences facilities. This client-facing role requires expertise in managing project scope, budget, and schedule while ensuring compliance with GMP and FDA regulations. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in a regulated environment and strong leadership skills. Join a firm that values collaboration and innovation in a fast-paced, high-impact work environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in engineering or architectural design for GMP, FDA, or regulated environments.
• Proven experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences facility design.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams for life sciences projects.
• Manage project scope, budget, and schedule to ensure successful delivery.
• Serve as the primary coordination point between design and construction teams.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or a related technical field

Tools

Microsoft Office

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

About 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. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

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. This role spans the full design lifecycle - from early planning and concept development through construction support - ensuring projects meet operational, regulatory, schedule, and budget expectations.

This is a highly visible, client-facing role within LJC/Clayco’s design-build model. You will balance technical understanding, team leadership, and project management rigor while partnering closely with construction, process, and engineering leaders to deliver efficient, compliant, and buildable solutions.

While this role is ideally suited for an experienced design project manager, LJC is also open to senior technical discipline leads (architecture or engineering) who demonstrate strong leadership skills, client presence, and readiness to step into a broader project management role.

The Specifics of the Role

• 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.

Requirements

• 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; familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, or similar design tools preferred.
• Ability to travel to project sites and client facilities as required.
• Resilient, adaptable, and motivated by fast-paced, complex project environments.

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide
• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco and LJC?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 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!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $140,000 - $175,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).