Lab Planner - Tech Research & Development

General Information

Posting Date

09-16-2026

Time Type

Full-Time

Job ID

9046

Areas of Expertise

Technology

Job Category

Architecture

Critical Facilities, Sciences

Locations

San Jose, CA, US

Posting Location: Seattle, WA, US

Description

Your Role

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Gensler's San Jose office partners with the world's leading technology companies to shape the environments driving innovation and the future of artificial intelligence. We are seeking a Senior Tech R&D Lab Planner to join our Advanced Technology team, bringing expertise in the planning and design of complex research, development, testing, and technical environments.

This role is ideal for an experienced lab planning professional with 10+ years of experience designing highly specialized facilities. While architectural licensure is preferred, it is not required.

As a key member of our team, you will help create cutting-edge environments that support advanced hardware development, semiconductor research, robotics, artificial intelligence, and next-generation manufacturing. Projects may include dry labs, clean rooms, chamber rooms, data hall labs, SCIFs, semiconductor testing facilities, GPU rack testing environments, and advanced research spaces. While experience across all these facility types is not expected, the ideal candidate brings curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for expanding their expertise within a rapidly evolving sector.

You will leverage strong programming, planning, and stakeholder engagement skills to develop innovative lab solutions that balance technical requirements, operational workflows, user needs, and spatial efficiency. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of how research environments integrate with workplace settings, creating flexible, high-performing spaces that support collaboration, innovation, and growth.

The successful candidate is highly collaborative and thrives in multidisciplinary environments, partnering closely with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and clients throughout the project lifecycle. Given the global reach of our Silicon Valley clients, you will also collaborate with colleagues across Gensler's international network, contributing to projects that span regions and disciplines.

In addition to shaping exceptional technical environments, you will play an important leadership role within the studio by mentoring and developing emerging designers, sharing industry knowledge, and advancing Gensler's expertise in R&D and advanced technology environments.

What You Will Do

• Work directly with clients, internal teams, researchers and related end-users to develop laboratory planning strategies at all levels of detail including new construction and renovations.
• Offer and support creative, sustainability-focused laboratory planning, technical design and detailing decisions that are in line with project goals, yet pushing the envelope beyond traditional approaches to lab design, particularly in private industry
• Provide technical lab, documentation oversight and quality control (QC) reviews. Provide or follow verbal and written instructions to revise, develop and produce plans, elevations and details appropriately.
• Direct document production in accordance with identified project specific checklists, Gensler standards and QA/QC standard program.
• Day-to-day project and client management of laboratory projects from initial planning through construction
• Assist in the development of standard materials that describe the portfolio, systems, processes of Gensler’s Advanced Tech and Mission Critical Facilities.
• Work closely with office and studio leaders to identify and recruit best-in-class talent.
• Lead the relationships with the client, contractor, agencies, as well as engineering and specialty consultants.
• Manage mid-size to large project teams, mentor junior staff.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture from an accredited school with at least 10+ years of architectural or related experience.
• Licensure is preferred but not required**
• Proficiency in Revit is preferred.
• Knowledge of laboratory programming delivery and how design impacts those systems –including space, operational, and equipment programming, as well as MEP systems and casework.
• Substantial experience working directly senior management representatives, scientists, laboratory managers and technicians, facilities and project managers, and other project stakeholders in determining and documenting programmatic requirements.
• LEED accredited preferred. Committed to the principles of sustainable design and resilient communities, able to demonstrate this commitment in a portfolio of work.
• Demonstrable working technical knowledge and skill set to guide discussions for laboratory (including vivarium) room/space development in conjunction with equipment and other technical attributes.
• Ability to work with end users to develop process flows, planning process and critical adjacencies of research and laboratory rooms for optimum efficiency and flexibility.
• Leadership experience, including managing client expectations, multi-disciplinary team, and meeting scope/schedule/budget.
• Advanced knowledge of the architectural planning and design process, construction documentation, construction administration and code requirements.
• Possess strong presentation skills with the ability to articulate ideas in interviews and other presentations.
• Skilled at developing and motivating teams of people both internally and externally, along with a desire to mentor team members.

For consideration, please submit your cover letter, resume, and portfolio in PDF format.

*The base salary will be estimated between $110,000 - $170,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience

**Notice: At Gensler an unlicensed Lab Planner will have the job title of Lab Designer and operate in this capacity for alignment with internal programs, doing business with clients and compliance with industry and government regulations. If you have questions regarding this notice, please ask our Talent Acquisition team during the application process.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal , right to work and E-verify program , as required by law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us .

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud . Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [email protected] .

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