Life Sciences Leader

Arup; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup in San Diego seeks a senior leader to drive the development of its science business in Southern California. You will lead the mechanical and electrical design for medium to large Life Sciences projects, serve as Engineer of Record, and manage multiple concurrent efforts with a focus on quality, sustainability, and client engagement.

You will collaborate with the West Science Leader and Business Development to grow the opportunity pipeline, mentor teams, and represent Arup at industry

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical engineering and CA PE license.
• 15+ years of mechanical/electrical design for the built environment.
• 10+ years delivering medium to large Life Sciences projects as Engineer of Record.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and client relationship skills.
• Experience growing a new office and securing work.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and electrical design for Life Sciences facilities as Engineer of Record.
• Manage multiple projects with planning, resourcing, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Act as primary technical contact with clients and collaborators.
• Mentor project teams and foster collaboration and innovation.
• Incorporate sustainable design strategies across projects.
• Negotiate contracts and engagement terms to optimize delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Project management

Mentoring

Life Sciences

Mechanical design

Electrical design

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer license (California)

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

The opportunity:

• Be a key part of the leadership team for the new San Diego office, having primary responsibility for the development of our science business in Southern California.
• Partner with the West Science Leader and other senior leadership to align growth plans with broader business goals and strategic initiatives, including identification of key clients and projects.
• Support business development efforts by leveraging sector knowledge, supporting proposals, and nurturing client relationships. Bring new, SD-focused relationships to Arup based on based experience and local knowledge.
• Actively participate in local industry events, representing Arup as a speaker or panelist, bringing awareness to our capability in SD and the wider region.
• Engage locally with key clients and partners to grow the opportunity pipeline.
• Lead and deliver mechanical engineering design for medium to large-scale Life Sciences projects (laboratories, R&D, pharmaceutical, manufacturing facilities) as Engineer of Record.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, including planning, resourcing, scheduling, budgeting, and ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for clients and collaborators, facilitating meetings, presentations, and design discussions.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to project teams, fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Integrate sustainable design principles and innovative engineering solutions into projects.
• Negotiate project contracts and conditions of engagement to optimize delivery and minimize risk.
• Regularly engage with the West Science Leader and Business Development Lead to establish key client relationships and target accounts.
• Success in this role will be measured by client engagement, project opportunities pursued, project wins, and the establishment of a Science hub in San Diego.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical engineering.
• Valid Professional Engineering license in California.
• 15+ years of experience in mechanical / electrical engineering design for the built environment.
• 10+ years delivering medium to large-scale Life Sciences projects as Engineer of Record.
• Demonstrated experience leading project teams and mentoring engineers.
• Demonstrated experience of growing a new office and work winning skills
• Strong client relationship management and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, and resources.
• Familiarity with business development processes and ability to contribute to proposal efforts.
• Experience integrating sustainable design strategies into mechanical or electrical engineering solutions.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Exposure to national standards and codes relevant to Life Sciences facilities.

Preferred:

• Experience in science-focused industry events and forums.
• Exposure to strategic planning and business growth initiatives.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities