Life Sciences Leader

Arup’s purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We are seeking a Life Sciences Leader to join one of our West Coast offices. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the growth and technical excellence of Arup’s Science sector across the West Coast. The successful candidate will lead the establishment and growth of a Science hub on the West Coast, strengthen our broader West Coast presence, support ambitious regional and national growth objectives, and position Arup as a premier partner for life sciences clients throughout the region.

The opportunity

• Be a key member of the West Coast leadership team, with primary responsibility for developing and growing Arup’s Life Sciences business across the West Coast, with a specific focus on San Francisco and Los Angeles.
• Partner with regional life sciences leaders to align growth plans with broader regional and national business goals and strategic initiatives, including identifying key clients, markets, and project opportunities.
• Support business development efforts by leveraging sector expertise, contributing to proposals, and developing and nurturing client relationships. Bring established West Coast relationships and market knowledge to help expand Arup’s presence across the region.
• Actively participate in industry events across the West Coast, representing Arup as a speaker, panelist, and industry leader while increasing awareness of our Science and Life Sciences capabilities.
• Engage with key clients, partners, and industry stakeholders across the West Coast to strengthen relationships and grow the opportunity pipeline.
• Lead and deliver mechanical engineering design for medium- to large-scale Life Sciences projects, including laboratories, R&D, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing facilities, serving as Engineer of Record where appropriate.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, including planning, resourcing, scheduling, budgeting, and ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for clients and collaborators, facilitating meetings, presentations, and design discussions.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to project teams, fostering collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence.
• Integrate sustainable design principles and innovative engineering solutions into projects.
• Negotiate project contracts and conditions of engagement to optimize delivery and minimize risk.
• Regularly engage with the West Science Leader and Business Development Lead to establish strategic client relationships, identify target accounts, and advance priority opportunities across the West Coast.
• Success in this role will be measured by client engagement, growth of the West Coast opportunity pipeline, project pursuits and wins, and the successful establishment and growth of a Science hub in San Diego.

Is this role right for you?

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical engineering.
• Valid Professional Engineering license in California.
• 15+ years of experience in mechanical / electrical engineering design for the built environment.
• 10+ years delivering medium to large-scale Life Sciences projects as Engineer of Record.
• Demonstrated experience leading project teams and mentoring engineers.
• Demonstrated experience of growing a new office and work winning skills
  Strong client relationship management and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, and resources.
• Familiarity with business development processes and ability to contribute to proposal efforts.
• Experience integrating sustainable design strategies into mechanical or electrical engineering solutions.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Exposure to national standards and codes relevant to Life Sciences facilities.

Preferred

• Experience in science-focused industry events and forums.
• Exposure to strategic planning and business growth initiatives.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits at Work

• At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal.
• As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm’s financial performance).
• Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi‑annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm.
• As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future.

Flexible Working

• We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available.

San Francisco Hiring Range

The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in San Francisco is $183,200 to $250,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of San Francisco will differ.

Different People, Shared Values

We are guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at

Arup is an equal opportunity employer

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

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