Principal Scientist (Antibody Engineering)

Grifols; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Grifols, a global healthcare leader, seeks a Principal Scientist to direct protein engineering and molecular biology within the Technology Development team in California. This role leads early‑stage research on recombinant antibodies, mentors staff, and collaborates across internal groups and external vendors.

Requires a PhD (or equivalent) with extensive industry experience, publications, and demonstrated leadership.

Qualifications

• PhD or higher in chemistry, biology, or engineering with strong publications.
• Extensive antibody engineering and expression/purification experience.
• Proven ability to mentor staff and manage cross-functional teams.
• Experience coordinating CROs and external collaborations is preferred.
• Strong technical writing skills for SOPs and manuscripts.
• Ability to design experiments and manage timelines in teams.
• Experience with synthetic biology and high‑throughput methods.
• Excellent communication across disciplines and management.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage experiments for next‑gen antibody therapeutics.
• Provide technical leadership for complex projects and assays.
• Mentor junior staff and manage potential team expansion.
• Coordinate external vendors and CRO collaborations.
• Develop new assays and technologies for the platform.
• Communicate results to internal and external stakeholders.
• Align goals, timelines and resources across programs.
• Interpret complex data for presentations and decisions.
• Stay current with cutting‑edge tools and methods.

Skills

Antibody engineering

Protein expression

Purification

Mammalian synthetic biology

Single-cell assays

Bioinformatics

Automation

DNA cloning

Leadership

Education

PhD in chemical/biological engineering

8+ years industry and/or Post‑PhD

MS with 12+ years industry

Bachelors with 15+ years industry

Publications and conferences

Mentoring direct reports

CROs and external collaborations

Technical writing (SOPs, manuscripts)

Interdisciplinary communication

Advanced problem solving

Job description

Would you like to join an international team working to improve the future of healthcare? Do you want to enhance the lives of millions of people? Grifols is a global healthcare company that since 1909 has been working to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. We are leaders in plasma-derived medicines and transfusion medicine and develop, produce and market innovative medicines, solutions and services in more than 110 countries and regions.

GigaGen, a subsidiary of Grifols, discovers and develops next-generation recombinant antibody therapeutics. Our core technology utilizes a microfluidic droplet system to capture and immortalize diverse immune repertoires, which can then be mined for exceptional monoclonals or enriched and used as high-potency polyclonal therapeutics. Our pipeline includes several recombinant polyclonal products for infectious diseases and a monoclonal antibody with a unique mechanism for oncology, with several projects in the clinic.

We are seeking an innovative and experienced Principal Scientist to direct protein engineering and molecular biology projects as a part of the Technology Development team. This team initiates and leads early-stage research projects with the goal to improve the platform technology and build a toolbox for our next-generation of recombinant antibody therapeutics. The successful candidate will have significant experience in antibody and antigen engineering, protein expression and purification, and advanced cloning techniques. Additional expertise in mammalian synthetic biology, single-cell assays, bioinformatics, automation, droplet microfluidics, bacterial or yeast biology, or related areas may also be beneficial. A proven track‑record of innovation as evidenced through publications and patents is expected.

Primary Responsibilities For Role

• Independently design and manage experiments for testing next‑generation antibody therapeutics, including construct design, expression and purification strategies, and implementation of novel analytical assays.
• Provide technical leadership for complex projects which may include elements of protein engineering, synthetic biology, high‑throughput sequencing, and in vitro assays.
• Contribute ideas for new assays and technologies to enable the next‑generation of GigaGen products and work with management to obtain support and resources to be successful.
• Stay abreast of cutting‑edge tools and new technologies related to GigaGen’s antibody discovery platform and coordinate for testing and implementation
• Contribute to brainstorming sessions and troubleshooting efforts within the team
• Propose and manage goals, timelines, and personnel for multiple projects, and drive internal and external communications within and across teams to ensure goals are met on time
• Synthesize and interpret complex data for internal and external presentations
• Mentor junior lab staff, with opportunities for management of one or more staff
• Initiate and manage projects with external vendors

Required Experience, Skills And Education Qualifications

• PhD in chemical/biological engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, or similar preferred
• 8+ years industry and/or Post‑PhD experience OR MS with 12+ years of industry experience OR Bachelors with 15+ years of industry experience
• Strong background in a relevant scientific field, as evidenced by publications and conference presentations
• Broad technical background covering additional areas of interest
• Experience managing and mentoring direct reports
• Experience managing CROs and external collaborations
• Technical writing skills and experience authoring SOPs, manuscripts, or other documents
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced team environment, meet deadlines, and prioritize work across multiple projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and efficient in communicating in interdisciplinary and cross‑functional teams
• Advanced ability to creatively apply scientific principles in problem solving in potentially novel areas.

Occupational Demands

Work is performed in a clinical and/or a laboratory environment. Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms. Exposure to electrical office equipment. Exposure to chemicals. Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves. Frequently sits and bends neck for 4‑6 hours per day. May stand and twist neck for 2‑4 hours per day. Occasionally walks, bends and twists waist and squats. Frequent hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists. Ability to make precise coordinated movements, of the fingers to grasp and manipulate objects. Moderate lifting of 15‑30lbs. with a maximum lift of 35 lbs. May reach above and below shoulder height. Color perception/discrimination, near vision and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/30 and to 20/100 in the other eye. Able to communicate complex information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Frequently works with diverse groups to obtain consensus on complex issues. Ability to apply abstract principles to solve complex conceptual issues. Performs a wide range of complex tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence.

The estimated pay scale for Principal Scientist role based in California, is $165,000.00 to $205,000.00 per year. Additionally, the position is eligible to participate in the company bonus pool. We offer a wide variety of benefits including, but not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision, life insurance, PTO, paid holidays and up to 5% 401(K) match and tuition reimbursement. Final compensation packages will ultimately depend on education, experience, skillset, knowledge, where the role is performed, internal equity and market data. We are committed to offering our employees opportunities for professional growth and career progression. Grifols is a global healthcare organization with employees in 30 countries focused on patient health and providing impactful results. Since our humble beginnings in 1909, Grifols has been a family company that prides itself on its family‑like culture. Our company has more than tripled over the last 10 years, and you can grow with us!

Grifols provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws, including but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Location: NORTH AMERICA : USA : CA-San Carlos:USSCAR2 - San Carlos CA-Shoreway Road-GG

Learn more about Grifols