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Senior Scientist Protein Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Merge Labs

Scientist - Protein Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $215K/yr

... engineers and data scientists. We work across disciplines to come up with creative ideas and solve some of the most challenging problems in biotechnology. About the role As a Protein Engineer in a ...

Jj

Senior Scientist, Biologics Optimization

Spring House, PA · On-site

$87K - $119K/yr

This role requires experiencein antibody and protein engineering, display-based technologies and ... The Senior Scientist will be expected toestablishand champion scientific best practices in function ...

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Senior Scientist Protein Engineering information

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How much do senior scientist protein engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior scientist protein engineering in the United States is $110,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main collaborative interactions a senior scientist in protein engineering can expect within a typical biotech or pharmaceutical company?

As a Senior Scientist in Protein Engineering, you’ll regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams, including molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, process development scientists, and project managers. These interactions often involve sharing data, co-designing experiments, troubleshooting technical challenges, and aligning project timelines. Effective communication skills are essential, as you'll also present findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This collaborative environment not only drives project success but also provides opportunities for professional growth and learning from other scientific disciplines.

What does a senior scientist in protein engineering do?

A Senior Scientist in Protein Engineering leads research and development projects focused on designing and optimizing proteins for specific functions, such as therapeutic use or industrial applications. They use molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biochemical techniques to modify protein structures, improve their properties, and solve complex biological problems. Senior Scientists often oversee junior researchers, collaborate across departments, and contribute to scientific publications and patent applications. Their expertise helps drive innovation in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and related fields.

What is the difference between Senior Scientist Protein Engineering vs Research Scientist Protein Engineering?

AspectSenior Scientist Protein EngineeringResearch Scientist Protein Engineering
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field; extensive experienceMaster's or PhD in relevant field; less extensive experience
Work EnvironmentLeading projects, mentoring, cross-functional collaborationConducting experiments, data analysis, supporting projects
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, research institutionsAcademic labs, biotech companies, research institutions

Senior Scientist Protein Engineering typically involves leading projects, mentoring team members, and applying extensive expertise, whereas Research Scientist Protein Engineering focuses on executing experiments and supporting research efforts. Both roles require advanced degrees and are common in biotech and pharma industries, but the senior role emphasizes leadership and strategic input.

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

To thrive as a Senior Scientist in Protein Engineering, you need advanced knowledge in molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein design, typically supported by a Ph.D. in a relevant field and significant laboratory experience. Familiarity with techniques such as directed evolution, high-throughput screening, and bioinformatics tools like PyMOL and Rosetta, as well as experience with lab automation systems, is essential. Creative problem-solving, strong leadership, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for leading research teams and collaborating across functions. These skills and qualities are vital for driving innovative protein engineering projects that result in impactful scientific and commercial outcomes.
More about Senior Scientist Protein Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Scientist Protein Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Senior Scientist Protein Engineering job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Senior Scientist Protein Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Scientist Protein Engineering jobs are:
Senior Scientist Protein Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Scientist Protein Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,545 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Senior Scientist, Protein Engineering

Xaira Therapeutics

South San Francisco, CA

$150K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

About the Role

As a member of the Protein Engineering team, you will play a critical role in the discovery and development of next-generation protein therapeutics. You will be responsible for designing, engineering, producing, and characterizing therapeutic proteins and antibodies, with an emphasis on optimizing functional properties and developability. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in protein engineering, a strong understanding of antibody formats and developability metrics, and a collaborative mindset. This is a hands-on, on-site position.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with Disease Biology and Therapeutic Protein Design teams to evaluate new targets, define therapeutic hypotheses and target product profiles, and develop integrated drug discovery strategies.
  • Design and execute protein engineering strategies to optimize affinity, specificity, format, and developability.
  • Express, purify, and characterize tool and therapeutic proteins, including antibodies, using chromatographic techniques and biophysical/biochemical assays.
  • Coordinate binder discovery campaigns, working closely with internal teams to prioritize screening strategies, interpret results, and advance lead molecules.
  • Collaborate with screening, pharmacology, biology, and computational protein design teams to integrate experimental data, guide molecule optimization, and advance therapeutic protein programs toward clinical development.
  • Present data at protein engineering and cross-functional team meetings.
  • Maintain accurate, timely, and well-documented experiment records in ELN.
  • Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, regulatory documentation, and scientific presentations.
  • Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols; contribute to lab organization and operational efficiency.
  • Stay current with advances in antibody engineering and protein design.
  • Mentor and develop junior scientific staff to foster a high-performing and collaborative team.
  • Manage and oversee CROs for outsourced protein production, assay development, and screening, ensuring data quality and timely delivery.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline, with a strong foundation in molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, or a related field.
  • 4+ years of industry experience in biotech or biopharma R&D supporting large molecule therapeutic programs.
  • Extensive hands-on experience in protein engineering, including structural and functional characterization of antibodies and proteins using state-of-the-art analytical methods.
  • Deep expertise in antibody formats, production, purification, and characterization.
  • Proficiency in developability assessments and stability studies.
  • Fluency with protein visualization and structural modeling software (e.g., PyMOL, AlphaFold).
  • Experience with protein-protein interaction assays (e.g., SPR, BLI) is preferred.
  • Experience interacting with Process Development teams and contributing to IND-enabling documentation is preferred.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to propose novel scientific approaches and a genuine interest in exploring relevant therapeutic hypotheses.
  • Proactive, self-starter mindset with excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
  • Enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment, with a demonstrated ability to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing across multidisciplinary teams.
  • A strong record of scientific achievement as evidenced by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals or granted patents.

Compensation

Annual

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. We offer a competitive package that includes base salary, bonus, and equity.  The base pay range for this position is expected to be $150,000 to $170,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.

Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.

TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Xaira Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or employees. Xaira Therapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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