Senior Lab Planner

SmithGroup Companies, Inc.; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 3 weeks (within first year)

8 paid federal holidays

15 extra Fridays off

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Career coaching

Job summary

SmithGroup, Inc. is seeking a Senior Lab Planner to join our team, preferably residing within commuting distance to Midwest or East offices including Ann Arbor, Detroit, Chicago or Washington DC.

The role focuses on programming, planning, and leadership for high-tech and lab facilities across healthcare, science and technology; travel up to 40% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or equivalent.
• Minimum 20 years of experience in programming and planning of laboratory and high-technology facilities.
• Experience with academic, research and STEM facilities for college, university, and commercial clients.
• Project experience in vivaria and diverse project types, complexity and scale.
• Ability to travel locally, nationally & internationally up to 40%.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data-based systems, along with Bluebeam.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients/users to develop or validate program requirements for lab and high-tech facilities.
• Develop space programs and planning grids, lab organization and service distribution concepts.
• Lead documentation of laboratory systems and development of laboratory spaces to create next generation settings for discovery.
• Manage one or more projects including negotiating project scope and fees, job production and quality, and fee management.
• Participate in marketing efforts through proposal development, interview participation and presentations.
• Develop trusting relationships with clients.
• Mentor junior staff and participate in performance coaching.
• Participate in the recruitment and interviewing process as requested.

Skills

Lab planning

Client collaboration

Project management

Technical reporting

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Requisition ID12603-Posted09/25/2026-SmithGroup, Inc.-Planning-United States

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.

SmithGroup is looking for aSenior Lab Planner to join our team. The individual selected for this role would preferabbly need to reside within a commutable distance to one of our Midwest or East offices: Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Madison, Milwaukee, Philadephia, Pittsburgh, or Washington DC.

Working with us, you will:

• Meet with clients/users to develop or validate program requirements for lab and high-tech facilities.
• Develop space programs and physical plans at a variety of scales.
• Collaborate with the project team in planning facilities by developing planning grids, lab organization and service distribution concepts.
• Lead the documentation of laboratory systems such as casework, lab equipment, and development of laboratory spaces to create next generation settings for discovery.
• Manage one or more projects including negotiating project scope and fees, job production and quality, and fee management.
• Participate in marketing efforts through proposal development, interview participation and presentations.
• Develop trusting relationships with clients.
• Mentor junior staff and participate in performance coaching.
• Participate in the recruitment and interviewing process as requested.

An ideal candidate has:

• A bachelor’s degree in Architecture or equivalent.
• Minimum 20 years of experience in programming, planning of laboratory and high-technology facilities.
• Experience with academic, research and preferably STEM facilities for college, university, and commercial clients.
• Project experience in vivaria as well as a range of project types, complexity and scale.
• The ability to manage and work collaboratively with clients, project teams and project processes with ease.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite and data-based systems, along with Bluebeam.
• The ability to travel locally, nationally & internationally up to 40%.

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000 to $204,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail] .

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state and local laws.