Principal, Process Architecture

BW Design Group; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

BW Design Group is seeking a Principal Process Architect in Boston, MA, to lead facility design and enhance client relationships. The role involves working with industry experts on innovative solutions for premier pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

You will manage complex projects with responsibilities from initial client engagement to site implementation, requiring substantial experience in architectural design for life sciences. Candidates should have a strong technical background and excellent leadership skills.

Compensation ranges from $170,000 to $240,000 annually based on qualifications and location.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 20 years of facilities architectural design experience.
• Ability to design cGMP manufacturing and lab facilities.
• Experience leading front-end phases of design.
• Understanding of operating facility requirements and regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal building codes.
• Experience designing ISO clean rooms and lab facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead facility design from inception to construction documentation.
• Develop comprehensive facility master plans and capital roadmaps.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, EMA, ICH Q7, and safety codes.
• Provide technical leadership in the development of life science projects.
• Support with permitting, bidding, and implementation of construction projects.

Skills

cGMP manufacturing design

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor of Architecture

Registered architect (RA) license

Master of Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

Job description

Who You’ll Work With

You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world‑class professional consultant and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment.

Job Description

When you join Design Group as a Principal Process Architect, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. In this role, you will work with a team of industry experts to help the world’s leading companies solve their most difficult problems. You will join our Architecture/Engineering Process Practice and partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver the highest quality solutions to our clients with consistency and accuracy.

What You’ll Do

The Principal Process Architect role is a key member of the Life Science Commercial Team with responsibilities beginning with initial client contact, developing early stakeholder (client) alignment based on relationships built on technical competency, proactive client engagement and development of innovative solution. Principal will lead front end design programming for pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing facilities requiring site survey, space programming and equipment evaluation/selection, economic analysis/justification, risk assessments, and regulatory impact reviews. In addition to working on front end phases, you will be expected and responsible for performing technical business development actively, which would include:

• Participating in DG capabilities presentations to clients
• Contributing to proposal development
• Authoring publications and white papers
• Presenting multiple times per year at industry conferences or networking events

You’ll work individually and in teams to support capital projects and implement solutions for our clients. Together, you will help our clients make critical changes to improve their performance and realize their most important goals.

• Provide technical leadership in the development and design of life science projects (biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device) from inception to development of project scope to delivery of drawings and specifications packages suitable for construction
• Develop comprehensive facility master plans and long‑term capital roadmaps aligned with business growth and technology adoption strategies
• Design facility layouts, building systems, and infrastructure supporting manufacturing operations across multiple modalities
• Coordinate integration of manufacturing equipment into facility infrastructure and architectural design
• Create scalable facility architectures that support expansion, equipment replacement, and technology modernization
• Ensure facility design complies with FDA, EMA, ICH Q7, and applicable building/safety codes
• Support construction projects during permitting, bidding, contract awards, procurement, implementation, financial administration, and sequencing, utilizing the BIM process
• Utilize Autodesk Revit, Recap and Navisworks software
• Propose, define, develop and oversee integrated (EPCMV) projects within budget and on schedule
• Maintain knowledge of current life science industry standards, innovate best practices, incorporate regulatory requirements, and create shared strategies for project scopes
• Oversee designers and mentor technical professionals
• Develop and maintain client relationships
• Generate billable fees commensurate with experience level, commercial terms, company expectations, and industry standards
• Interface with Barry-Wehmiller Design Group professionals to maintain cohesive and technically correct solutions and resolve highly complex technical issues
• Provide technical training to clients and internal teams
• Make an impact day‑to‑day with your skills and expertise, strengthening that relationship with our clients and team

What You’ll Bring

• A minimum of 20 years of facilities architectural design experience leading facility design including project programming/conceptualization, production of construction documents, permit acquisition, and site implementation
• The ability to design cGMP manufacturing and lab facilities
• Experience leading Front‑end phases of design (master planning, feasibility study, conceptual design)
• An understanding of operating facility requirements, general arrangement drawings, operational flows, adjacency schemes, environmental classifications, and interpretation and justification of regulatory requirements
• A working knowledge of local, state, and federal building codes (IBC in particular)
• Experience in designing greenfield facilities and renovating existing buildings
• Experience designing ISO clean rooms, labs, and processing spaces
• Experience designing cold storage and refrigerated processing environments
• Experience coordinating design with process engineers on industrial installation of production equipment (preferred)
• Experience interfacing with clients and in establishing long‑term client relationships
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Project (preferred)
• A willingness to travel for project requirements including installation and start‑up activities, client and company sponsored meetings, trainings, industry related seminars, forums, and conventions
• A Bachelor of Architecture
• A registered architect (RA) license (NCARB preferred)
• A Master of Architecture (preferred)

The approximate pay range for this position is $170,000 - $240,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.