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Director Protein Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aragen

Scientist / Sr Scientist

Morgan Hill, CA

$101K - $138K/yr

Our capabilities span antibody discovery, protein engineering, cell line development, process ... Site-directed mutagenesis * Plasmid characterization * Sequence verification * Lead RNA and DNA ...

Aragen

Scientist / Sr Scientist

Morgan Hill, CA · On-site

$101K - $138K/yr

Our capabilities span antibody discovery, protein engineering, cell line development, process ... Site-directed mutagenesis * Plasmid characterization * Sequence verification * Lead RNA and DNA ...

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All JobsProtein Engineering JobsDirector Protein Engineering JobsDirector Protein Engineering Jobs in California

Director Protein Engineering information

See California salary details

$72K

$192.2K

$250.7K

How much do director protein engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for director protein engineering in California is $192,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $139,600.00 and $249,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director protein engineering do?

A Director of Protein Engineering leads teams in designing, optimizing, and developing proteins for various applications, such as therapeutics, biotechnology, or industrial enzymes. They oversee research strategies, manage cross-functional collaborations, and ensure project goals align with company objectives. This role requires expertise in molecular biology, structural biology, and protein design, along with strong leadership and project management skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the director protein engineering position?

A Director Protein Engineering typically requires a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, or related fields, along with extensive experience in protein engineering, assay development, and team leadership. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like molecular modeling software, high-throughput screening systems, and relevant regulatory compliance certifications is important. Exceptional project management, communication, and strategic decision-making skills help in guiding cross-functional teams and driving innovation. These competencies ensure effective oversight of research programs, facilitate collaboration, and enable advanced problem-solving to achieve organizational goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Protein Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Protein Engineering jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Protein Engineering jobs in California?

For Director Protein Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Protein Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Protein Engineering jobs in California are:

Director Protein Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Protein Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $192,160 per year, or $92.4 per hour.

Senior Scientific Director, Protein Engineering

Scorpion Therapeutics

San Diego, CA • On-site

$250 - $350/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About The Role

Senior Scientific Director, Protein Engineering provides scientific and strategic leadership for Neurocrine’s protein engineering and biologics discovery capabilities. Leads a team of protein engineers and expands technical expertise/platforms to enable next-generation biotherapeutics.

Your ContributionsScientific Leadership
  • Lead and provide strategic direction for the Protein Engineering function; set scientific priorities for the biologics portfolio
  • Guide programs from target assessment through lead generation, optimization, candidate selection, and transition into development
  • Drive innovation in antibody and protein engineering technologies
  • Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, platforms, and computational approaches
Organizational Leadership
  • Lead, mentor, and develop protein engineering talent; recruit additional scientific talent
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative, inclusive scientific culture
  • Build capabilities via investment in new technologies, workflows, and expertise
  • Establish/maintain collaborations with CROs, academics, and technology providers
Drug Discovery & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner cross-functionally to advance biologics programs through discovery and IND-enabling studies
  • Lead candidate selection, developability assessment, and optimization strategies
  • Provide data-driven recommendations for governance and portfolio decisions
  • Ensure protein engineering work aligns with timelines, quality standards, and objectives
RequirementsRequired
  • PhD (10+ years) OR Master’s (20+ years) OR Bachelor’s (22+ years) in relevant discipline
  • Demonstrated scientific leadership advancing antibody/protein therapeutics from discovery through IND-enabling development
  • Extensive expertise in protein/antibody engineering and structure-function relationships
  • Expertise in protein conjugation, multispecifics, ADCs, or other next-gen biologics
  • Experience leading high-performing scientific teams and building protein engineering capabilities
  • Deep knowledge of biologics discovery workflows (molecular design, lead optimization, developability, candidate selection)
  • Strong construct design, recombinant expression (mammalian/microbial), purification, biochemical/biophysical characterization
  • Knowledge of antibody discovery technologies (e.g., display platforms, affinity maturation, engineered scaffolds)
  • Experience managing CRO/external collaborations; strong publication/patent record
  • Excellent scientific communication; ability to translate strategy into executable plans
Preferred
  • Experience developing therapeutic antibodies/biologics in neuroscience, endocrinology, immunology, or inflammation
  • Computational protein design, ML-enabled engineering, or AI-assisted design
  • High-throughput screening, protein display, developability assessment
  • Familiarity with LC-MS characterization
  • Knowledge of regulatory expectations for IND submission
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