Senior Architect - Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences

Overview

SSOE is seeking a Senior Architect with experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences facilities to help design environments that advance scientific discovery, product quality, and patient safety. Working on complex cGMP manufacturing facilities, laboratories, and research spaces, you’ll develop innovative, compliant solutions that support some of the industry's most critical operations. As a key technical leader, you’ll collaborate within an integrated design-build team to drive projects from concept through delivery, applying your expertise in building codes, GMP regulations, and facility design.

This role offers the opportunity to tackle challenging projects, mentor emerging professionals, expand your technical leadership, and make a lasting impact on the future of pharmaceutical and life sciences infrastructure.

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

A Typical Day Might Include:

The following duties are typical of the position but are not all encompassing.

• Lead and drive the architectural design and planning process for a portfolio of complex pharmaceutical and life sciences projects, including cGMP manufacturing suites, pilot plants, process development laboratories, quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) laboratories, research and development (R&D) laboratories, and associated warehouse and utility support facilities.
• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day oversight to internal architectural project teams, ensuring the production of coordinated, high-quality construction documents that meet stringent client specifications, current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations, FDA guidance, and industry standards.
• Guide the seamless integration of architectural design by collaborating closely with all of SSOE’s engineering disciplines to ensure holistic coordination, constructability, and operational performance within a GMP environment.
• Interpret and apply the relevant codes for all project phases, including in-depth interpretation and application of the International Building Code (IBC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Fire Code (IFC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 45 (Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals), NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code), NFPA 400 (Hazardous Materials Code), and the full suite of accessibility codes and standards (ADA, ABA).
• Apply knowledge of occupancy classifications (H, B, F-1), control area strategies per IBC, building height and area allowances, fire area separations, fire protection and suppression systems including gaseous and water mist systems for sensitive environments, egress strategies from classified spaces, fire-resistive construction, and accessibility requirements specific to laboratory and controlled production environments.
• Interpret building code and GMP regulatory intent in ambiguous or specialized scenarios and provide authoritative guidance to internal teams, clients, and regulatory authorities.
• Lead peer reviews, quality assurance/quality control checks, and constructability reviews, with a particular focus on GMP compliance, architectural finish detailing (seamless, cleanable, chemically resistant), cleanroom envelope integrity, and avoidance of ledges,…