Chief Strain Engineering & Platform Architect

Switch Bioworks; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Switch Bioworks, based in San Carlos, CA, seeks a Director of Strain Engineering to define and lead the strain engineering platform and a high-performing team. You will manage budget, guide external partnerships, and own strategy for design-build-test-learn cycles across bacterial strains and non-model organisms.

The role requires hands-on leadership at the bench, building a scalable organization and driving Morgance-like advancements in production-ready strains within collaborative,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MS in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or related field.
• 10+ years in strain engineering or related field; leadership experience.
• Startup experience preferred; ability to scale teams and pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead the bacterial strain engineering platform.
• Direct bench work while managing a growing scientific team.
• Define strategy for design-build-test-learn cycles; manage budget and schedule.

Skills

People leadership

High-throughput screening

Genetic engineering

LIMS/ELN experience

Project management

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology or related

Tools

Benchling LIMS

Job description

Switch Bioworks, based in San Carlos, CA, seeks a Director of Strain Engineering to define and lead the strain engineering platform and a high-performing team. You will manage budget, guide external partnerships, and own strategy for design-build-test-learn cycles across bacterial strains and non-model organisms.

The role requires hands-on leadership at the bench, building a scalable organization and driving Morgance-like advancements in production-ready strains within collaborative,