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Cell Line Development Scientist Jobs in California

Prolific Machines

Technical Project Manager

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

... scientific projects to manage critical customer programs in Prolific's pipeline. As Prolific has ... Full cell line development and preclinical scale up of customer molecules integrated into our ...

Prolific Machines

Technical Project Manager

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

... scientific projects to manage critical customer programs in Prolific's pipeline. As Prolific has ... Full cell line development and preclinical scale up of customer molecules integrated into our ...

Prolific Machines

Technical Project Manager

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

... scientific projects to manage critical customer programs in Prolific's pipeline. As Prolific has ... Full cell line development and preclinical scale up of customer molecules integrated into our ...

ImmunEdge, Inc

Head of CMC

Redwood City, CA · On-site

... science. We are building a culture based on kindness, collaboration, and a deep passion for ... Scope covers CMC strategy, cell line and process development, analytical development and ...

Immunedge Inc

Head of CMC

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$277K - $416K/yr

... science. We are building a culture based on kindness, collaboration, and a deep passion for ... Scope covers CMC strategy, cell line and process development, analytical development and ...

ImmunEdge, Inc

Head of CMC

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$277K - $416K/yr

... science. We are building a culture based on kindness, collaboration, and a deep passion for ... Scope covers CMC strategy, cell line and process development, analytical development and ...

DutchTechX

Analytical Scientist I

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Analytical Science team is looking for a talented scientist to collaboratively work with our R& ... Collaborate with cell line development and bioprocess teams for delivery of key internal technology ...

Prolific Machines

Analytical Scientist I

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Analytical Science team is looking for a talented scientist to collaboratively work with our R& ... Collaborate with cell line development and bioprocess teams for delivery of key internal technology ...

Prolific Machines

Analytical Scientist I

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Analytical Science team is looking for a talented scientist to collaboratively work with our R& ... Collaborate with cell line development and bioprocess teams for delivery of key internal technology ...

Prolific Machines

Analytical Scientist I

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Analytical Science team is looking for a talented scientist to collaboratively work with our R& ... Collaborate with cell line development and bioprocess teams for delivery of key internal technology ...

Aragen

Scientist / Sr Scientist

Morgan Hill, CA · On-site

$101K - $138K/yr

Our capabilities span antibody discovery, protein engineering, cell line development, process ... We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist/Senior Scientist, Protein Sciences & Biologics ...

Aragen

Scientist / Sr Scientist

Morgan Hill, CA · On-site

$101K - $138K/yr

Our capabilities span antibody discovery, protein engineering, cell line development, process ... We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist/Senior Scientist, Protein Sciences & Biologics ...

Atum - DNA 2.0

Customer Success Scientist

Newark, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

ATUM is a leader in cell line development, gene synthesis, and protein engineering. We are seeking a highly motivated, Customer Success Scientist to join our team. Job Summary: As a Customer Success ...

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All JobsCell Line Development Scientist JobsCell Line Development Scientist Jobs in California

Cell Line Development Scientist information

See California salary details

$20

$38

$60

How much do cell line development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for cell line development scientist in California is $38.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.98 and $45.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a cell line development scientist do?

A Cell Line Development Scientist is responsible for creating and optimizing cell lines used in the production of biopharmaceuticals, such as therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies. Their work involves selecting, engineering, and characterizing cell lines to ensure high productivity, stability, and quality of the desired product. They use advanced techniques in molecular biology, cell culture, and genetic engineering to achieve these goals. Additionally, they document and analyze data, comply with regulatory standards, and collaborate with other departments to support drug development processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cell line development scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cell Line Development Scientist, you need expertise in molecular and cell biology, mammalian cell culture, and a relevant life sciences degree (often a PhD or MSc). Experience with cloning, gene editing tools (like CRISPR), bioreactors, and data analysis software such as FlowJo or JMP is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing high-quality cell lines efficiently, ensuring robust research outcomes and supporting biopharmaceutical production.

What are some common challenges faced by cell line development scientists during the cell line selection process?

Cell Line Development Scientists often encounter challenges such as ensuring high productivity and stability of the selected cell line, dealing with genetic drift over multiple passages, and minimizing variability in protein expression. Achieving regulatory compliance and thorough documentation is also critical, as processes must be traceable and reproducible. Collaboration with upstream and downstream process teams is essential to address issues early and optimize cell lines for large-scale manufacturing requirements.

What is the difference between Cell Line Development Scientist vs Research Associate in Biotech?

AspectCell Line Development ScientistResearch Associate in Biotech
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Life Sciences, PhD often preferredBachelor's or Master's in related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on cell line creation and optimizationGeneral biotech or research labs, supporting various projects
Employer & Industry UsageBiotech and pharmaceutical companies, research institutionsBiotech firms, research organizations, academic labs
Common Search & ComparisonCell Line Development Scientist vs Research Associate in Biotech

The main difference is that a Cell Line Development Scientist specializes in creating and optimizing cell lines for production, requiring more advanced skills and experience. In contrast, a Research Associate in Biotech typically supports broader research activities with less focus on cell line development. Both roles are essential in biotech research but differ in scope and expertise.

What are popular job titles related to Cell Line Development Scientist jobs in California?

For Cell Line Development Scientist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cell Line Development Scientist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Cell Line Development Scientist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Cell Line Development Scientist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Cell Line Development Scientist job openings:

Cell Line Development Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cell Line Development Scientist job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,367 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Technical Project Manager

Emeryville, CA • On-site

Prolific Machines
Biotechnology Research and Development • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Prolific Machinesexternal

$140K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our first-of-its-kind optogenetic platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology enables dynamic, tunable control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, and reproducibility advantages across the most complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates's Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV.


We're looking for a Technical Project Manager with experience in leadership/management of innovative scientific projects to manage critical customer programs in Prolific's pipeline. As Prolific has developed a unique form of cellular control using optogenetics, these projects can include, but are not limited to:

  1. R&D efforts focused on building new capabilities.

  2. Enabling pharmaceutical partners to build optogenetic capabilities at their sites.

  3. Full cell line development and preclinical scale up of customer molecules integrated into our optogenetic cell lines.

As part of a broad technical organization tasked with commercializing Prolific Machine's unique technology, the successful candidate will lead scoping, technical planning, coordination, and results reporting for our client-facing projects. They will work with technical leads from R&D, Technical Operations, Hardware, and Business Development to support  cross-team collaboration and communication, as well as coordinate with senior leadership for reporting project outcomes. This position will report into the Head of the Project Management Office. This role will be based on-site in Emeryville, CA.

Accountabilities:
  • Technical project scoping, planning, and schedule oversight of internal and client-facing projects.
  • Resource planning with senior leadership to forecast project needs, scope alignment, and schedule coordination.
  • Close collaboration with technical leads to ensure clear communication and efficient coordination.  
  • Adapting and taking on new responsibilities to help the company scale project management as the company grows.
  • Creation and support of new project standards and practices and improvement initiatives with project management colleagues.  
  • Project reporting functions, such as monthly project updates, dashboard reporting, and critical project milestone/ data reports.
Collaborate and communicate with:
  • Research & Development, cell line development, process development, analytics, hardware, business development and product development teams for cross-functional coordination to make key decisions on tech transfers and technical support.
  • Client/ customer teams including technical leads, business development representatives, and senior leadership.
  • Third-parties, suppliers and partners for necessary capital equipment to support our teams.
Some things about you:
  • You have good verbal and written communication skills with a focus on clarity and conciseness in a team-oriented environment.
  • You are willing to bring your technical acumen to help with team challenges and addressing technical obstacles.
  • You care about attention to detail and ensuring that our operations and processes run in a repeatable and safe manner.  
  • You are able to prioritize and can balance between planning and being action oriented in order to move projects forward.
  • You are a thoughtful coworker who cares deeply about the company's mission and culture.
  • You thrive in a dynamic environment and can take on the plurality of challenges that are inherent to startups.
  • You are able to adapt to changing priorities and can support others in times of change.
  • You foster a team environment and you actively seek impactful feedback from your colleagues.
What you'll need to succeed:
  • Masters (5+ years) or PhD (2+ years) with project management in cell line development or process development in a biopharmaceutical or similar industry. 
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is desired, but not required. 
  • Direct technical experience with cell engineering, cell line development, or process development/scale-up is desired.   
$140,000 - $175,000 a year
This role is salaried, exempt, and paid semi-monthly. Starting salary will be dependent upon specific experience, knowledge, and skillset. The range for the Manager level will typically fall between $140k-$175k.

Benefits: Generous equity package in an early stage company, retirement plan with company contribution, flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums, company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, career coaching, mental health support, free team lunches everyday, great snacks, and companywide social events!

Diversity: Prolific Machines values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can bring their authentic selves to work and have equal opportunities to succeed. Prolific Machines is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)

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