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Director Protein Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... protein engineering, molecular biology, or a related discipline, with significant wet-lab ... Motivated, collaborative, self-directed, efficient * Meticulous, detail-oriented and organized ...

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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 2, 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:

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.

Scientist, Protein Production and Characterization

AlivaMab Discovery Services

San Diego, CA • On-site

$118K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Scientist to join our Protein Sciences team and contribute to both day-to-day operations and the advancement of Protein Science workflows. This position will focus on the design, optimization, and execution of transient transfection processes at various scales for antibody and protein production in mammalian expression systems. The successful candidate will leverage expertise in biophysical characterization and biochemical modification to evaluate key protein attributes. This position will report to the Associate Director of Protein Sciences and work closely with scientists in the Antibody Discovery, Antibody Engineering, Protein Sciences, and Project Management teams. The ideal candidate will drive innovation through process refinement and high-throughput automation, while advancing developability and purification strategies for novel biologic formats. This role offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment, where creative solutions and a strong scientific approach are key to success.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
  • Independently design and execute transient transfection workflows for antibodies and proteins in various mammalian expression systems
  • Provide leadership in protein purification by designing and improving methods for throughput, quality, and efficiency
  • Drive developability assessment efforts by designing and executing analytical studies to evaluate protein stability, purity, and key biophysical characteristics
  • Support production of complex construct design strategies (e.g., VLPs, nanodiscs), to enable immunization of challenging targets
  • Execute high throughput processes to support protein production workflows using Bravo and other robotic platforms
  • Effectively maintain meticulous records of lab activities using electronic notebook (Benchling); communicate findings clearly through written reports and presentations to support project progression and scientific decision-making
  • Contribute innovative ideas and collaborate effectively across teams to drive research excellence and project success in a fast-paced environment

Qualifications
Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Protein Engineering, or a related field with 1-3 years of industry experience or MS with 5-7 years of direct industry experience is required
  • Proven hands-on experience with multiple mammalian expression platforms is required
  • Proficiency with AKTA instrumentation, demonstrating a broad range of standard and specialized purification (e.g., affinity, ion exchange, HIC and SEC) and protein QC techniques is required
  • Experience with therapeutic antibody developability assessment is highly desirable
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills with meticulous attention to detail
  • Motivated self-starter with excellent organization, teamwork, and a passion for scientific innovation

About AlivaMab Biologics
AlivaMab Biologics sets its partners' antibody discovery programs on the fastest and most de-risked path through discovery and development. Trusted by top-tier pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, AMB delivers drug-quality, fully human antibodies on exceptional timelines. AMB achieves its partners' design goals, from simple to extraordinarily challenging, through the generation and function-first screening of large, molecularly diverse panels of antibodies. AMB focuses on rapid and efficient delivery of antibodies, characterized for function, kinetics and developability, and engineering for alternative formats, including multi-specifics and CARs. The AMB team's experience and passion for antibody drug discovery and development combined with the use of trusted, proven technologies, including Ablexis' AlivaMab® Mouse platforms, ensure the highest probability of success.
AlivaMab Biologics provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision-making, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Salary Range: $118,000 - $145,000 annually
This range represents AlivaMab Biologics' good-faith estimate of the base compensation for this position at the time of posting. Offered title and compensation will account for factors such as experience, education, and comprehensiveness of qualifications. The salary range excludes bonuses, equity, health benefits, PTO, other benefits, or any other forms of compensation that may be part of the total compensation package.
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