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Protein Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AllSTEM Connections

Senior AI Protein Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

A well-funded, interdisciplinary medical research institute in Los Angeles is seeking a Senior AI Protein Design Engineer to spearhead a new initiative in de novo therapeutic engineering. This is a ...

Arzeda

Scientist, Protein Testing

Seattle, WA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Design, develop, and mature enzymatic assays end to end, from ideation and proof-of-concept through reliable, repeatable, higher-throughput use. * Improve assay sensitivity, specificity ...

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Protein Design information

See salary details

$42K

$114.5K

$201.5K

How much do protein design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for protein design in the United States is $114,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Protein Design vs Protein Engineering?

AspectProtein DesignProtein Engineering
Required CredentialsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology, BioinformaticsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, biotech companies, academiaResearch labs, biotech companies, academia
Industry UsageDesigning novel proteins, drug development, synthetic biologyModifying existing proteins for improved function or stability

Protein Design focuses on creating new proteins with specific functions, often using computational methods. Protein Engineering involves modifying existing proteins to enhance or alter their properties. Both roles require similar skills and are used in research, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries, but their goals differ: one designs from scratch, the other optimizes existing proteins.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in protein design, and how are they addressed within a team setting?

Professionals in protein design often encounter challenges such as predicting accurate protein folding, ensuring stability, and achieving desired biological activity. These complexities are typically addressed through close collaboration with computational biologists, structural biologists, and experimental scientists. Teams frequently hold cross-functional meetings to troubleshoot issues, share findings, and iterate on design strategies based on laboratory results. This collaborative environment helps leverage diverse expertise and accelerates the development of novel proteins with desired functions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a protein design scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Protein Design Scientist, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and computational modeling, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Proficiency with tools such as Rosetta, PyMOL, and molecular dynamics simulation software, as well as experience with protein expression and purification techniques, is essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are important soft skills to drive innovation and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for designing functional proteins, troubleshooting experiments, and advancing research goals in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development.

What is protein design?

Protein design is the process of creating new proteins or modifying existing ones to have specific functions or properties. This can involve using computational tools, laboratory techniques, or a combination of both to predict and engineer amino acid sequences that will fold into desired three-dimensional structures. Protein design is used in various fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and research, to develop novel enzymes, therapeutics, or materials. The field requires a strong understanding of biology, chemistry, and computer science to achieve successful outcomes.
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Protein Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protein Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,491 per year, or $55 per hour.

Scientist I/II, Protein Engineering

Alta Resource Technologies, Inc.

Boulder, CO • On-site

$82K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

About Alta
Alta Resource Technologies (Alta) is a next generation mining company that uses synthetic biology to separate critical minerals from conventional and unconventional resources, including e-waste. Founded in 2023, the company is expanding its team in Boulder, CO. The exponential growth of new tech industries, as well as the information technology sector, are driving historic growth in mineral demand and stressing existing supply streams. Meeting new demand, diversifying the supply chain, and producing minerals in a more sustainable manner requires the rapid development, deployment and scaling of new technologies. This mineral challenge represents a historic opportunity for technology development and value creation. Alta is proud to be at the vanguard of this mega trend.
About the Role
Alta is seeking a Scientist I/II in Protein Engineering to join our Applied Biology team. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing assays for data-driven protein design campaigns towards discovering and validating enhanced binding specificity. This role will be a key contributor to building high-throughput screening capabilities and developing assays for ion binding and bioconjugation.
A successful candidate will have expertise in assay development that supports protein discovery workflows in small molecule, ion, or metal binding proteins. The candidate will collaborate with data scientists, strain engineers, analytics, and chemistry groups to generate robust and reliable assays that scale. The individual will join a group of collaborative scientists with diverse skill sets and must have strong communication and critical thinking skills with a rigorous approach to science.
Key Responsibilities
  • Work within a team to develop and execute high-throughput assays for protein characterization including for protein quantification, bioconjugations, and binding capacities.
  • Design and implement microtiter plate workflows for directed evolution campaigns.
  • Work with scientists for rapid turnaround of testing data to aid in novel protein discovery and leverage the outcomes for additional protein design campaigns.
  • Interpret test data and protein analysis data for guiding round-over-round improvements.
  • Develop and onboard novel assays for protein characterization.
  • Collaborate with strain engineers to achieve reliable microtiter production.
  • Ensure excellent practices in documentation of all protocols and experiments.

Required Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field with 1-3+ years of research experience.
  • Expertise in high-throughput protein assays and library-scale workflows.
  • Experience with metalloproteins, protein-ion or small molecule interactions, or bioconjugate biochemistry.
  • Experience with assay analysis for modeling novel candidate leads.
  • Experience in protein discovery and directed evolution campaigns to improve protein characteristics.
  • Experience in design and implementation of automated workflows.
  • Deep knowledge of classic and state-of-the-art molecular biology and multiplex library-scale approaches to directed evolution campaigns.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of experimental design, the scientific method, and statistical analysis.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work within different teams.
  • Strong organizational and documentation skills.
  • Please note: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in bioinformatics pipelines and scripting to aid in data analysis and protein design.
  • Experience with generative protein design and structural modeling.

What We Offer
  • The opportunity to lead a breakthrough program redefining U.S. supply chain resilience in critical materials.
  • A mission-driven, high-trust team operating at the intersection of innovation, national security, and sustainability.
  • High Impact & Visibility: direct interaction and reporting to executive leadership.

Compensation & Benefits
The starting pay range for this position is $82,000 - $120,000, commensurate with educational background and work experience.
Benefits include:
  • 401(K)
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans (or equivalent)
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Company Holidays

EOE
Alta Resource Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds strengthen our team and drive better outcomes for our clients and partners.
We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and the needs of the business. Alta participates in e-Verify for all positions.
If you require accommodations at any point in the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.
For information about Alta's privacy practices, see our Privacy Policy.

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