Director of Protein Engineering

Job Title: Director of Protein Engineering

Department: Research

Date Posted: 1/26/2026

The Director level Protein Engineer will lead and drive innovative therapeutic protein discovery within Research focusing on the discovery, design, and optimization of novel therapeutics for cancer treatment. The ideal leader will have extensive hands-on experience in molecular biology, protein expression/purification, and the characterization of antibodies and multi specific formats and a proven track record of guiding complex biologics from early-stage design through to candidate selection.

• Drive multiple drug discovery programs concurrently, ensuring efficient progression from conceptual design to the selection of clinical development candidates, meeting aggressive project timelines.
• Lead the design, development and engineering of novel protein therapeutics, including antibodies and bispecific/multimeric molecules, to enhance function, stability, safety and develop ability for oncology applications.
• Utilize molecular engineering approaches driven by AI/ML, novel display technology, directed evolution and structure-guided design, to optimize protein candidates.
• Perform hands-on protein expression in transient eukaryotic systems (e.g., HEK
  293, CHO cells) and generate stable expression cell lines.
• Execute protein purification using various chromatography techniques (affinity, IEX, SEC, etc.) and FPLC/HPLC systems.
• Conduct comprehensive analytical and functional characterization of engineered proteins using techniques such as SDS-PAGE, ELISA, flow cytometry, SPR/BLI, and endotoxin measurement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive projects from target validation through candidate nomination.
• Troubleshoot experiments, develop new protocols, and document findings in electronic lab notebooks and technical reports.
• Present data and research updates effectively at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in protein engineering, cancer biology, and immunotherapy to propose and implement innovative technologies.
• All other duties as assigned

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field (or MS with equivalent industry experience).
• A minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience in recombinant protein engineering and expression within an academic or industrial setting.
• Technical Skills
• Extensive hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including DNA manipulation, cloning, and mutagenesis.
• Proficiency in protein expression, purification, and characterization.
• Familiarity with computational modeling tools and bioinformatics software (e.g., PyMOL, Geneious) for physical chemical characterization for protein design is desirable.
• Experience with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), T-cell engagers, or other immune-based therapeutic modalities is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive, hands-on attitude.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with meticulous attention to detail in documentation and record-keeping.
• Ability to work both independently/team leader and collaboratively within a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment.

The pay range for this role is $200,000-$250,000 annually. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. The total compensation package for this position may also include bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable variable compensation.

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