Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering
Principal Scientist - Protein Engineering
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
About the Company
A venture-backed biotech startup based in Thousand Oaks, California is focused on solving one of the most fundamental challenges in therapeutic development: targeted delivery to difficult-to-reach tissues. The multidisciplinary team is building a modular platform to expand the therapeutic index of biologics. The company values scientific rigor, creativity, and close collaboration, and is seeking curious, driven colleagues to help shape the next chapter of its journey.
Role Overview
The Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering will lead the protein engineering function and manage a small team. Responsibilities include structure-guided design, application of AI-based modeling and design tools, high-quality experimental execution, and rigorous data governance. The role also supports data packages for patent applications, internal reviews, and external presentations, and coordinates closely with cross-functional teams and CRO partners to meet program milestones.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Operations
- Plan and manage workflows, resources, timelines, and risks for protein engineering activities; coordinate with internal and external teams.
- Lead and mentor junior scientists; establish data quality standards, review plans and data, and develop team capabilities.
- Implement and maintain data integrity systems: sequence/construct registries, plasmid maps, protein lot inventories, and affinity/kinetics databases.
- Scope, contract, and manage CROs to ensure on-time, fit-for-purpose outputs.
- Plan, produce, release, and deliver test articles for research-stage animal studies with protein-based therapeutic candidates.
Design & Discovery
- Drive structure-guided protein engineering to optimize affinity, specificity, stability, and developability for binders/shuttles targeting BBB receptors and other targets.
- Apply and interpret AI-assisted structural modeling and design tools, including assessment of model confidence and limitations.
- Lead internal and external binder/shuttle discovery campaigns.
Characterization & Analytics
- Design, execute, and interpret protein binding assays; develop SOPs, controls, and data-review checklists.
- Oversee orthogonal biophysical/analytical methods and coordinate deeper characterization with Analytical/CMC teams.
Communication, IP & Strategy
- Synthesize results into clear figures/tables and concise narratives for invention disclosures, patent applications, internal updates, and BD materials.
- Contribute quantitative rationale to target/product reviews and program decisions.
Basic Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Bioengineering, Structural Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field and 5+ years of industry experience.
- Demonstrated team leadership and effective cross-functional communication.
- Hands-on expertise in structure-guided protein engineering and SPR assay design and analysis.
- Experience applying AI/ML-enabled structural tools to protein design problems.
- Operational rigor in sequence/inventory control, SOP development, data QC, and CRO/vendor management.
- Track record of advancing engineered proteins from design through characterization to program decisions or in vivo studies.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with receptor-mediated delivery, BBB biology, or bioconjugates.
- Depth in analytical/biophysical characterization and developability profiling.
- Prior contributions to patent filings or data rooms for partnerships.
- Familiarity with ELN/LIMS.
What's Offered
- A mission-driven team with deep scientific roots and a collaborative culture.
- Competitive salary, equity package, and benefits.
- A modern R&D facility equipped for high-throughput discovery and translational biology.
- Opportunity to grow into a leadership role as the team scales.
FAQs
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