Senior Laboratory Renovation Manager / Laboratory Infrastructure SME

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Laboratory Renovation Manager / Laboratory Infrastructure Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support a U.S. Government-funded laboratory modernization and capacity-building program in Indonesia.

The position will provide technical leadership and oversight for the assessment, design review, renovation, commissioning, and handover of three laboratory renovation projects located in Jakarta, Bandung, and Medan. The objective is to upgrade designated laboratory facilities to meet Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) operational requirements and international laboratory best practices.

The Senior Laboratory Renovation Manager will serve as the Contractor’s technical lead for all facility improvement activities and will oversee local construction contractors, equipment installation activities, commissioning efforts, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) activities performed by local subcontractors.

The successful candidate must possess a strong combination of laboratory infrastructure expertise, renovation and construction management experience, and quality management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Assessment & Planning

• Participate in facility assessments and gap analyses of existing laboratory facilities.
• Evaluate laboratory infrastructure, building systems, utilities, biosafety features, workflow, and operational requirements.
• Identify deficiencies and recommend upgrades required to achieve BSL-2 operational standards.
• Support development of renovation scopes of work, cost estimates, schedules, and technical recommendations.
• Review and validate laboratory equipment requirements.

Design Review & Technical Oversight

• Review architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and laboratory engineering designs.
• Ensure designs support safe laboratory operations and biosafety requirements.
• Verify compatibility between laboratory infrastructure and proposed equipment.
• Review contractor submittals, material specifications, shop drawings, and proposed substitutions.
• Evaluate design changes and provide technical recommendations.

Renovation Management

• Oversee implementation of laboratory renovation activities at all project sites.
• Coordinate with local construction contractors and specialty subcontractors.
• Monitor project schedules, construction progress, risks, and technical issues.
• Review contractor work plans and installation methodologies.
• Conduct regular site visits and provide technical direction.
• Verify compliance with approved designs and project requirements.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

• Develop and implement project QA/QC procedures.
• Review and approve quality control plans submitted by contractors.
• Coordinate with local QA/QC subcontractors performing site inspections.
• Conduct quality audits and periodic inspections.
• Verify compliance with applicable building codes, laboratory standards, and project specifications.
• Identify deficiencies and monitor corrective actions.
• Maintain punch lists and track issue resolution.

Laboratory Equipment & Systems Integration

• Oversee installation of laboratory equipment and supporting infrastructure.
• Verify proper integration of laboratory systems including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, containment, and safety systems.
• Coordinate testing, calibration, commissioning, and certification activities.
• Validate equipment installation against manufacturer requirements.

Commissioning, Acceptance & Handover

• Lead final inspections and acceptance activities.
• Verify completion of all renovation and equipment installation activities.
• Review testing and commissioning documentation.
• Ensure deficiencies are corrected prior to project acceptance.
• Support preparation of turnover and handover documentation.
• Assist in the transition of facilities to end users.

Risk Management

• Identify technical, construction, and schedule risks.
• Develop mitigation strategies and corrective actions.
• Escalate significant issues to project leadership.
• Monitor contractor performance and compliance.

Reporting & Coordination

• Prepare technical reports, site visit reports, and inspection findings.
• Participate in meetings with project stakeholders and government representatives.
• Coordinate closely with project management, procurement, logistics, and training teams.
• Support development of project deliverables and progress reports.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil/electrical/mechanical engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in laboratory design, renovation, construction management, or laboratory infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience with healthcare, diagnostic, research, pharmaceutical, university, public health, or biosafety laboratories.
• Strong understanding of laboratory facility systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, biosafety, containment, and utility systems.
• Experience performing design reviews and construction oversight.
• Experience implementing QA/QC programs for construction projects.
• Professional fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with BSL-2, biomedical research, public health, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, or veterinary laboratories.
• Experience supporting U.S. Government-funded projects.
• Experience with laboratory commissioning and certification processes.
• Familiarity with WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual guidance.
• Familiarity with ISO 15189, ISO 17025, or equivalent laboratory quality standards.
• Experience managing multiple simultaneous renovation projects.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate is:

• Technically strong and detail-oriented.
• Able to balance technical quality, schedule, and budget considerations.
• Comfortable working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proactive in identifying risks and resolving issues.
• Effective at managing contractors and consultants.
• Capable of working independently across multiple project sites.

Position Information

• Location: Indonesia (Jakarta preferred).
• Travel: Frequent travel from Jakarta to Bandung and Medan.
• Employment Type: Full-time.
• Reporting To: Project Manager.
• Duration: 4-year based period project with potential extension.

The Senior Laboratory Renovation Manager serves as the Contractor’s technical authority for all laboratory renovation activities and is responsible for ensuring that renovated facilities are completed safely, effectively, and in accordance with project requirements and accepted BSL-2 laboratory practices.