Smart Building Solutions Architect (Research Labs & Office)

Technical Lead / Architect Smart Building Solutions (Research Labs & Office)

South San Francisco, CA

12+ months

Role Overview

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on Technical Architect / Lead Smart Building Solutions to drive the intelligent automation and technical infrastructure of our state-of-the-art Research Laboratories and Corporate Office facility. In this role, you will sit at the critical intersection of IT, Site Services/Lab Operations, and specialized external vendors to design, build, and deploy an enterprise-grade smart building ecosystem.

You will lead the end-to-end technical strategy integrating lab-grade IoT sensor networks, cloud architectures, specialized BMS/Lab Control protocols, and AI/ML-driven analytics. Your work will directly impact research continuity, environmental precision (air exchanges, containment, temperature/humidity stability), energy optimization, and workplace experience across both high-tech lab and office spaces.

Key Responsibilities

Lab & Office Smart Infrastructure

Specialized System Architecture: Architect resilient edge-to-cloud IoT solutions bridging high-demand Research Lab environments (fume hoods, cleanrooms, specialized HVAC, gas monitoring, cold storage) with modern corporate office automation.

Protocol & Data Integration: Unify legacy and modern protocols (BACnet, Modbus, MQTT, OPC UA, LORaWAN, Lab execution systems, REST APIs) into secure, low-latency telemetry pipelines.

Hands-On Execution: Deliver hands-on technical guidance, code/script reviews, proof-of-concept (PoC) builds, and strict validation frameworks for mission-critical deployments.

Advanced IoT & AI Deployment

Precision IoT Hardware: Evaluate, select, and integrate high-precision sensors and gateways for lab environmental tracking, occupancy, asset tracking (equipment/sample monitoring), and spatial safety monitoring.

AI & Predictive Analytics: Implement AI/ML pipelines for predictive maintenance on lab-critical utilities, automated fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), energy load optimization, and real-time environmental anomaly detection.

Cross-Functional & Vendor Leadership

Lab Ops & Site Services Alignment: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with Lab Operations, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Facilities Management to translate strict scientific operational needs into secure technical architecture.

Vendor & Integrator Governance: Lead technical evaluation, RFPs, and integration efforts with specialized lab control vendors, proptech partners, and system integrators.

IT & OT Cybersecurity: Partner with Corporate IT to implement zero-trust architectures, strict network segmentation between high-risk lab OT environments and office IT networks, and compliance frameworks.

Qualifications & Skills

Core Technical Experience

• Lab/Critical Facilities Expertise: 6+ years of experience designing smart building, IoT, or automation solutions within mission-critical environments (R&D labs, life sciences, pharmaceutical facilities, or cleanrooms).
• IoT & Protocols: Deep practical experience with IoT edge gateways, time-series data management, industrial protocol converters, and high-frequency sensor ingestion.
• AI & Data Pipelines: Hands-on experience deploying AI/ML models on time-series telemetry (e.g., predictive analytics for critical lab equipment, automated HVAC load balancing, environmental drift detection).
• Programming & Cloud: Proficient in Python, C/C++, Node.js, or Go; strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS IoT Core, Azure IoT Hub, Google Cloud).

Specialized Knowledge & Soft Skills:

• Strong understanding of Lab EHS standards, specialized ventilation requirements (ACH, differential pressure), and containment protocols.
• Expert knowledge of OT/IT security convergence, including network isolation (VLANs, Purdue Model, Zero Trust) for lab safety networks.
• Proven ability to collaborate with scientific researchers, facility engineers, enterprise IT directors, and hardware vendors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Digital Twins for critical facilities and equipment asset management (e.g., Azure Digital Twins, BIM integrations).
• Exposure to GxP / GLP environments or scientific data compliance standards.
• Certifications in AWS/Azure Cloud Architecture, Certified IoT Professional, or TOGAF.

Education: At least a bachelor s degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Software/Electronics Engineering, Information Systems, or a closely related field is required for the project