Senior Lab Planner, Life Sciences

LJC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401k

Generous PTO

Discretionary annual bonus

Learning & development programs

Job summary

LJC is seeking a Lab Planner to join our Life Sciences group in Chicago. You will lead planning, programming, and design of laboratory and research facilities, working with scientists and multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-performance, compliant environments.

You will translate workflows into planning solutions, mentor junior staff, and contribute to business development while coordinating across offices. The role requires strong regulatory knowledge and a collaborative, fast-paced approach.

Qualifications

• Experience leading planning, programming, and design of lab facilities.
• Knowledge of NIH, CDC, BSL, GMP, ISO, and LEED requirements.
• Proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD for lab planning workflows.
• Strong communication and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, programming, and design of laboratory facilities across life sciences projects.
• Develop lab layouts, workflows, and spatial requirements for functionality and safety.
• Integrate regulatory, operational, and sustainability considerations into designs.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants on innovative lab designs.
• Mentor junior staff and support business development efforts.
• Travel as required to support client engagement and planning efforts.

Skills

Lab planning

Project coordination

Regulatory compliance

Client presentations

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Laboratory Planning, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

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 is a growing architecture, design and planning firm committed to creating and delivering design solutions that improve and enhance the human experience of the built environment. Youthful in outlook, seasoned in experience, LJC offers a diverse portfolio of expertise across a range of project scales and typologies, including commercial, mixed use and residential. We believe our work is a fundamental expression of optimism in the future, and that design is a means to effect positive, enduring change.

The Role We Want You For

LJC is looking to hire a Lab Planner to join our team and serve as a key technical resource within the Life Sciences market sector. The Lab Planner will support the planning, programming, and design of complex laboratory and research facilities, working closely with clients, scientists, and multidisciplinary design teams to deliver high-performance, flexible, and compliant environments.

This role requires strong laboratory planning expertise, knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements, and the ability to translate operational workflows into thoughtful planning solutions. The Lab Planner will collaborate across LJC offices and disciplines, mentor junior staff, and contribute to the continued growth of LJC’s Life Sciences practice.

The Specifics of the Role

• Lead the planning, programming, and design of laboratory and research facilities across a range of life sciences project types.
• Develop laboratory layouts, workflows, and spatial requirements that optimize functionality, flexibility, safety, and long‑term adaptability. (develop or support senior lab planner)
• Integrate technical, operational, regulatory, and sustainability considerations into laboratory planning and design solutions.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants to develop innovative, efficient, and buildable laboratory designs.
• Support compliance with applicable health, safety, and regulatory standards, including NIH, CDC, BSL, GMP, ISO, and LEED requirements.
• Support planning and coordination Plan and coordinate laboratory casework, furniture, equipment, and utility requirements in alignment with user needs and design intent.
• Work closely with scientists, researchers, and facility stakeholders to understand workflows and translate them into clear planning and design solutions.
• Facilitate or support user group meetings, workshops, and presentations to communicate planning concepts and gather feedback.
• Support or manage multiple lab planning efforts from concept through design development, coordinating scope, budget, and schedule expectations.
• Mentor junior lab planners, architects, and designers, supporting professional development and technical growth.
• Support business development efforts through proposal contributions, planning concepts, and participation in client interviews and presentations.
• Promote a culture of one‑team collaboration across disciplines and offices.
• Travel, as required, to support client engagement, project pursuits, and planning efforts.

Requirements

Lab Planners at LJC possess:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Laboratory Planning, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10 + years of experience in laboratory planning and design within life sciences.
• Professional licensure (RA) preferred but not required.
• Strong understanding of laboratory typologies, equipment, operational needs, and planning strategies.
• Knowledge of building codes, laboratory safety guidelines, and industry regulations.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and other relevant planning and design tools.
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and critical‑thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities, including client‑facing presentations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and clients.
• LEED accreditation or demonstrated knowledge of sustainable laboratory design preferred.
• Experience with biosafety level (BSL) laboratories and/or cleanroom environments preferred.

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 $120,000 - $155,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).