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Drug Design Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Prim

Design Technician

Denver, CO

$24 - $25/hr

We are hiring for Design Technicians to provide new distribution and service designs for customers ... Q3 Contracting is a drug-free environment, and all candidates are subject to drug testing.

Prim

Design Technician

Denver, CO

$24 - $25/hr

We are hiring for Design Technicians to provide new distribution and service designs for customers ... Q3 Contracting is a drug-free environment, and all candidates are subject to drug testing.

Chipton Ross

Design Engineer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$68.51/hr

Job #219361 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Design Engineer for a contract opportunity in Littleton ... Employment will be contingent on clearing a drug screen and background check. Both must clear prior ...

Chipton Ross

Design Engineer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$68.51/hr

Job #219363 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Design Engineer for a contract opportunity in Littleton ... Employment will be contingent on clearing a drug screen and background check. Both must clear prior ...

MSCCN

Electrical Design Engineer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$100K/yr

DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING REQUIRED: All Bastion employees must be able to pass a pre-employment ... Missile design experience. Preferred Experience * Experience with a combination of design, test ...

Chipton Ross

FPGA Design Engineer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$100/hr

Job #216852 Chipton-Ross is seeking an FPGA Design Engineer for a contract opportunity in Littleton ... Employment will be contingent on clearing a drug screen and background check. Both must clear prior ...

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Drug Design information

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How much do drug design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for drug design in Colorado is $18.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $20.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is drug design?

Drug design is the process of discovering and developing new medications based on the knowledge of biological targets. Scientists use techniques like computer modeling and chemical analysis to create molecules that interact specifically with proteins or enzymes involved in diseases. This approach helps to optimize the effectiveness and safety of new drugs before they are synthesized and tested in the laboratory. Drug design plays a crucial role in developing targeted therapies and accelerating the drug discovery process.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in drug design teams?

Professionals in drug design often encounter challenges such as balancing innovation with regulatory requirements and managing the complexity of biological systems. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams—including chemists, biologists, and computational scientists—can require strong communication skills to align on goals and methodologies. Additionally, tight project timelines and the need to iterate on compound structures based on early testing results are frequent hurdles. Staying updated with the latest technologies and methodologies is also essential for success in this rapidly evolving field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in drug design, and why are they important?

To excel in Drug Design, a strong background in chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and often a graduate degree in a related field are essential. Familiarity with molecular modeling software, cheminformatics tools, and high-throughput screening systems is typically required. Analytical thinking, creativity, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for identifying novel drug candidates and collaborating across disciplines. These skills enable the efficient development of safe, effective pharmaceuticals in a complex and highly regulated industry.

What is the difference between Drug Design vs Medicinal Chemist?

AspectDrug DesignMedicinal Chemist
Required CredentialsDegree in Chemistry, Pharmacology, or related fields; often advanced degreesDegree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related fields; often advanced degrees
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firmsResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms
Industry UsageFocuses on designing new drug candidates using computational and experimental methodsFocuses on synthesizing and optimizing chemical compounds for drugs

Drug Design and Medicinal Chemist roles overlap significantly, with both working in pharmaceutical research and requiring similar educational backgrounds. Drug Design emphasizes the conceptual creation of new drugs, often using computational tools, while Medicinal Chemists focus on synthesizing and refining these compounds. Both careers are vital in drug development and frequently searched together by professionals interested in pharmaceutical innovation.

How much do drug design engineers make?

Drug design engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced roles or those with specialized skills in computational modeling or medicinal chemistry can earn higher salaries, especially in biotech or pharmaceutical industries.

How to get a career in drug design?

A career in drug design typically requires a strong educational background in chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmacology, often at least a bachelor's degree with advanced degrees like a master's or Ph.D. for research roles. Skills in molecular modeling, computer-aided drug design, and familiarity with laboratory techniques are important, along with experience using specialized software and understanding of biological systems. Gaining internships or research experience can also improve job prospects in this field.

Is drug development a good career?

Drug design is a specialized field within pharmaceutical research that involves creating new medications through understanding chemical interactions and biological targets. It offers opportunities in research, laboratory work, and interdisciplinary collaboration, often requiring advanced degrees and knowledge of chemistry, biology, and data analysis. The career can be rewarding for those interested in science and innovation, with job prospects in biotech companies, research institutions, and regulatory agencies.

What are popular job titles related to Drug Design jobs in Colorado?

For Drug Design jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drug Design jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Design jobs in Colorado are:

Drug Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Design job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,041 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Principal Scientist, Computational Chemistry

Cogent Biosciences

Boulder, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Who We Are:
Cogent Biosciences is a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on developing novel precision therapies to treat a broad range of patients with unmet medical needs. Cogent's lead program, bezuclastinib, is designed to selectively and potently inhibit exon 17 mutations found within the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, including KIT D816V. KIT D816V is responsible for driving a rare and serious condition called Systemic Mastocytosis, and exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. Bezuclastinib has exhibited promising initial data across all three trials: APEX in AdvSM, SUMMIT in NonAdvSM, and PEAK in GIST, including an encouraging safety profile across 600+ patients in single-agent and combination dosing.
The Role:
We are seeking an Experienced Computational Chemist who thrives at the intersection of molecular modeling, data-driven decision making, and innovative drug design. In this role, you will directly influence discovery programs by generating actionable structure-based insights, developing predictive models, and partnering with multidisciplinary teams to guide molecular design from hits to optimized leads. This is a full-time, on-site position based at our R&D facility in Boulder, Colorado.
Responsibilities:
  • Apply structure-based and ligand-based drug design methods-including docking, protein modeling, and a range of computational techniques-to support projects from hit discovery through lead optimization.
  • Collaborate with project team members, engaging them in iterative structure-based drug design cycles to generate hypotheses, evaluate targets, triage hits, and guide SAR exploration.
  • Present modeling insights clearly and effectively to cross-functional project teams, ensuring data is interpreted in the right context.
  • Develop, refine, and maintain robust computational workflows on HPC Linux environments, enabling scalable execution of large-scale simulations.
  • Train and mentor colleagues on computational chemistry tools, cheminformatics standards, data formats, and key workflow practices.

Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry or a related field, with 3+ years of relevant industrial experience.
  • Expertise in structure-based design, docking, virtual screening, pharmacophore modeling, and other computational approaches for lead optimization.
  • Expertise in MOE modeling software, with working knowledge of other commercial and open-source computational chemistry platforms preferred.
  • Strong hands-on experience with cheminformatics platforms and tools, including Spotfire.
  • Strong programming skills with experience in building custom scripts or automated pipelines, is a plus.
  • Proficiency in Linux/UNIX, shell scripting, and HPC frameworks (e.g., SLURM, LSF, PBS/Torque).
  • Experience optimizing large computational workloads on cluster or cloud infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with molecular representations and cheminformatics standards (SMILES, SDF, descriptors, fragment-based encodings).
  • A solid publication record and excellent scientific communication skills.
  • Proven effectiveness working within cross-functional, data-driven scientific teams.

Salary Range:
$165k - 190k USD
Target Bonus: 15%
Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and location.
Our Locations
Waltham, MA: Our headquarters is located in the Greater Boston life sciences community, with an open, collaborative office environment designed to support teamwork and connection. Employees benefit from convenient on-site amenities, including free on-site parking and gym facilities in the building.
Boulder, CO: Our Boulder location is home to Cogent's discovery research organization and a key scientific hub with strong leadership based on site. Situated in the greater Denver-Boulder biopharmaceutical corridor, this office plays a central role in advancing our discovery efforts and pipeline.
Our Offer To You
At Cogent Biosciences, we offer a competitive salary, bonus, and ongoing stock awards, alongside a benefits package that sets us apart. We cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and your family, and help reduce out-of-pocket costs by funding up to 75% of in-network deductibles. Our benefits also include a 401(k) match with immediate vesting, generous paid time off, 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, paid family and medical leave for all employees regardless of location, and company-paid short-term disability coverage for up to 20 weeks. Additional perks like wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and inclusive family-forming support help you thrive at work and beyond.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

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