NPI Scientist

Madrona Venture Labs; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nautilus seeks a Scientist or Senior NPI Scientist to bridge R&D and manufacturing. You will develop and refine methods for production and testing of antibodies and related reagents, contribute to scale-up, tech transfer, and process validation in a fast-moving setting.

Responsibilities include drafting SOPs and specs, investigating issues, and partnering with R&D to establish QC release criteria. The role is based in San Carlos, CA, full-time onsite, requiring hands-on laboratory work and

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology or related field with 2–3 years of industry experience; or MS with 3-5 years, or BS with 5-7+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Deep knowledge of protein biochemistry, protein purification, reagent formulation or analytical chemistry.
• Experience in BOM setup using Arena/Agile software, costing analysis, supply chain set-up, vendor management.
• Hands‑on experience working in controlled development or manufacturing environment (ISO9001 & ISO 13485).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to document processes clearly and help train others to execute SOPs.
• Proficiency in Excel; familiarity with project tracking tools (Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or similar).
• Willingness to work hands‑on in the lab and production environment.
• Demonstrate project management skills with an ability to meet project timelines and deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Own the transfer of newly developed biochemical reagents, proteins, antibodies and sequencing assays from R&D phase to commercial.
• Design, develop and optimize scale-up studies, improve yield, stability and robustness of complex formulations and processes.
• Author documents including SOPs, batch records, and technical reports, while ensuring compliance with quality standard.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and provide technical support to resolve production-line anomalies during pilot and production phases.
• Partnering with the R&D to help establish QC release criteria and specifications for all manufactured reagents.
• Performing hands‑on laboratory and production work, including reagent formulation, conjugation, and analytical sample preparation.

Skills

Antibody conjugation

Protein expression and purification

Process scale-up

Documentation

Project management

Analytical chemistry knowledge

Excel

Education

PhD in chemistry/biochemistry/molecular biology or related

MS with 3-5 years of industry experience

BS with 5-7+ years of relevant industry experience

Tools

Arena/Agile software

Smartsheet

Microsoft Project

Job description

At Nautilus, we have a big and important mission: improve the health of millions by unleashing the potential of the proteome to accelerate drug development and enable a new world of precision and personalized medicine. We are developing a single-molecule protein analysis platform of unprecedented sensitivity, scale, and ease of use that we believe will democratize access to the proteome — one of the most dynamic and valuable sources of biological insight. To accomplish this, we are pursuing hard scientific problems with an entrepreneurial mindset and creating a world-class team of builders, innovators, and dreamers across a wide range of disciplines.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Scientist or Senior NPI Scientist who will serve as a critical link between R&D teams and manufacturing. Your focus will be developing and refining methods for the production and testing of our processes, technologies, and products.

As a member of our team, you will contribute to new product scale-up, process optimization, technology transfer, and process validation activities. You will draft production procedures and product specifications for antibody reagents, and help investigate and resolve issues for smooth transfers. Our ideal candidate brings a solid understanding of antibody structure and function, together with hands‑on laboratory experience in antibody conjugation and in protein expression and purification.

This position is located in San Carlos, CA and requires full-time onsite presence.

Responsibilities

• Own the transfer of newly developed biochemical reagents, proteins, antibodies and sequencing assays from R&D phase to commercial.
• Design, develop and optimize scale-up studies, improve yield, stability and robustness of complex formulations and processes.
• Author documents including SOPs, batch records, and technical reports, while ensuring compliance with quality standard.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and provide technical support to resolve production-line anomalies during pilot and production phases.
• Partnering with the R&D to help establish QC release criteria and specifications for all manufactured reagents.
• Performing hands‑on laboratory and production work, including reagent formulation, conjugation, and analytical sample preparation.

Requirements

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology or a related field with 2–3 years of industry experience; or an MS with 3-5 years, or a BS with 5-7+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Deep knowledge of protein biochemistry, protein purification, regent formulation or analytical chemistry (HPLC, MS, FPLC)
• Experience in BOM setup using Arena/Agile software, costing analysis, supply chain set-up, vendor management.
• Hands‑on experience working in controlled development or manufacturing environment (ISO9001 & ISO 13485).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to document processes clearly and help train others to execute SOPs.
• Proficiency in Excel; familiarity with project tracking tools (Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or similar).
• Willingness to work hands‑on in the lab and production environment.
• Demonstrate project management skills with an ability to meet project timelines and deliverables.

Nautilus Team Culture

• We are curious go-getters: this is a team of life‑long learners who aren't afraid to tackle the big challenges and we embrace the journey.
• We are detail-oriented: we do great science by working smart & with diligence where we learn from our trials and mistakes.
• We are easy to work with: we want our workplace to be one where everyone can share their perspective and be treated with respect and kindness.

Our Values

• Be Excellent
• Be a Good Human
• Catalyze Customer Success
• Dream Big
• Drive for Results
• Enjoy the Voyage
• Succeed as One Team