Project Manager - Technology and Life Sciences (TLS)

McGough; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 115,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance coverage

Retirement plans

Parental leave

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Job summary

McGough is seeking a Project Manager for Technology & Life Sciences (TLS) to lead complex TLS projects in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, pharmaceutical, biotech, and cleanroom environments.

The role entails coordinating process-driven facilities, managing schedule, cost, and quality, and partnering with clients to ensure facility design supports operational performance and scalability.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical) or Construction Management.
• 4+ years of experience managing complex TLS/tech manufacturing projects.
• Experience with cleanroom construction, process systems, and critical environments.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems and their integration with manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with client/owner engineering or operations teams.
• Proven ability to manage highly technical projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong communication and detail orientation.
• Self-starter and capable of working with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide project leadership from concept through commissioning, validation, and turnover for TLS programs.
• Coordinate integration of process systems, cleanrooms, and critical utilities.
• Ensure facility design aligns with client manufacturing requirements and operational goals.
• Drive schedule certainty, cost control, and quality in mission-critical environments.
• Support cross-functional coordination between design teams, vendors, and client teams.
• Assist in preconstruction activities including scope validation and cost modeling.
• Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning, and turnover activities with rigorous QA.

Skills

Communication

Self-motivation

Detail-oriented

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Excel

Job description

Overview

McGough is a respected partner that brings six generations of experience to high profile, unique and complex construction projects. We take great pride in our people and their extraordinary expertise in planning, development, construction and facility management. McGough employee tenure reflects the commitment and pride we share in our work. Ask anyone who knows us - the caliber of our people sets us apart.

Position

PROJECT MANAGER - TECHNOLOGY and LIFE SCIENCES (TLS)

The Project Manager - Technology & Life Sciences (TLS) will support highly technical projects within advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medtech, and cleanroom environments. This role helps coordinate process-driven facilities that integrate sophisticated mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and automation/control systems.

This position is uniquely suited for candidates with strong engineering or owner-side experience who understand client manufacturing processes, critical environments, and regulatory requirements. The PM serves as a strategic partner to clients, ensuring that facility design and construction align with operational performance, process reliability, and long-term scalability.

Responsibilities & Tasks

• Project Leadership & Delivery
  • Support large, complex TLS projects from concept through commissioning, validation, and turnover. Lead and manage small to medium size projects for long term growth.
  • Support the integration of process systems, cleanroom environments, and critical utilities.
  • Ensure alignment between facility design and client manufacturing/process requirements.
  • Drive project execution with focus on schedule certainty, cost control, and quality in mission-critical environments.
  • Contribute to cross-functional coordination between design teams, trade partners, equipment vendors, and client engineering teams.
• Client & Process Integration
  • Develop deep understanding of client processes (e.g., semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical production, biotech labs).
  • Ensure facility systems support process flows, contamination control, and operational efficiency.
  • Provide constructability input on process equipment layout, tool install, and utility distribution.
  • Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities.
• Technical Systems Oversight
  • Development of design and construction of complex MEP and control systems, including:
  • Cleanroom HVAC systems (ISO classifications, pressure cascades, air changes)
  • Process piping and specialty gas systems
  • Electrical distribution, backup power, and redundancy strategies
  • Building automation systems (BAS), SCADA, and controls integration
  • Ensure coordination of critical systems with process equipment and facility infrastructure
  • Manage risk associated with system performance, uptime, and regulatory compliance
• Preconstruction & Engineering Collaboration
  • Support technical preconstruction efforts including scope validation, cost modeling, and constructability reviews.
  • Collaborate with design engineers to optimize system performance, cost, and constructability.
  • Validate alignment between process requirements, facility design, and construction execution.
  • Participate in value engineering with a focus on lifecycle performance and operational reliability.
• Financial & Operational Management
  • Maintain accountability for project financial performance, forecasting, and profitability.
  • Monitor cost impacts of highly technical systems and equipment integration.
  • Ensure accurate budgeting for specialized scopes including cleanrooms, controls, and process utilities.
• Safety & Quality in Critical Environments
  • Champion safety culture with emphasis on high-risk systems (chemical, electrical, confined spaces).
  • Diligent documentation and adherence to stringent quality standards required for cleanroom and regulated environments.
  • Support in management of quality control processes including system testing, commissioning, and validation readiness.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Pursuit & Business Development
  • Support technical components of proposals and interviews, emphasizing process and system expertise.
  • Engage early with clients to understand manufacturing goals and facility requirements.
  • Support business development in advanced manufacturing and life sciences markets, establish/build/maintain client and design partner relationships.
• Preconstruction
• Construction Execution
• Commissioning & Turnover
• Other Responsibilities
  • Attend and participate in project management and other company meetings.
  • Attend any training - personal and/or professional development - that is relevant to the position.
  • Actively participate in company-sponsored events.
  • Perform functions of Project Manager as may be necessary for project success.
  • Support and follow standard of work.
  • Participate in Lean events and support the McGough Way.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Four-year degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related) or Construction Management with strong technical background.
• 4+ years of experience managing complex projects in Technology, Life Sciences, or advanced manufacturing sectors.
• Demonstrated experience with cleanroom construction, process systems, and critical environments.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems, controls, and their integration with manufacturing processes.
• Experience working directly with client/owner engineering or operations teams.
• Proven ability to manage highly technical projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with ability to translate between engineering and construction teams.
• Thorough and detail-oriented.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task within time constraints.
• Self-starter and motivated with minimal supervision.
• Strong computer skills, including Excel.

Preferred:

• Experience on owner/client side (facility engineering, capital projects, manufacturing support).
• Familiarity with regulatory environments (FDA, GMP, ISO cleanroom standards, etc.).
• Experience with commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV).
• Background in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, biotech, or similar industries.
• Lean construction experience (Last Planner System).

Office & Travel

Office: Various jobsites and/or corporate/regional office.

Travel: In addition to regional meetings, overnight travel may be involved.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position involves sitting for extended periods of time while working at a computer terminal. Employees must be able to communicate effectively in a typical office environment with a standard level of office noise. Occasional standing, bending, walking and lifting is also required.

Employees will be required to visit construction jobsites, which may expose the employee to dirt, dust, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions and extreme temperatures. In addition, employees must be able to move around prospective or current project sites. This includes climbing ladders, walking on uneven surfaces, walking long distances, and climbing stairs.

Compensation & Benefits

In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, the base salary range for this position is $115,000 to $160,000, excluding fringe benefits or potential bonuses. If you join McGough, your final base salary will be determined by several factors, including geography, location, skills, education, and experience. Furthermore, we place significant value on pay equity among our current team members as part of any final job offer.

Please note that the range provided above reflects the hiring range for this role. Hiring near the top end of this range would be atypical, as we aim to allow room for future salary growth. Additionally, McGough offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes insurance coverage for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. We also provide generous retirement plans, voluntary benefit plans, parental leave, substantial paid time off, and holiday pay.