Scientist/Senior Scientist, Protein Engineering

SystImmune; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid employee premiums for medical/dental/vision

401(k) plan with company match

15 PTO days per year, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays

Job summary

SystImmune, located in Redmond, WA, is seeking a Scientist or Senior Scientist to contribute to innovative cancer treatment development. This role focuses on designing assays and reagents while collaborating with a research team in a lab environment.

Required qualifications include a PhD in a relevant field and significant experience in biologics drug development. Compensation is competitive, with a range from $90,000 to $130,000 annually, in addition to comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD with 3+ years of industrial drug-development experience.
• 2+ years experience generating novel cell lines or developing assays.
• Experience with display technologies for discovery and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design cell-based and biochemical assays for functional screening.
• Develop high-throughput expression of antigens and antibody binders.
• Execute protein-engineering campaigns for affinity modulation.

Skills

Protein biochemistry

Cell biology

Biologics drug development

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Communication

Education

PhD in bioengineering, biochemistry, or related field

Tools

FACS

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

Job description

SystImmune is a leading and well‑funded clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redmond, WA and Princeton, NJ that specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments using bi‑specific and multi‑specific antibodies, and antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs). It has multiple assets in clinical and pre‑clinical development and offers opportunities for growth and contribution to company success.

We are seeking an innovative Scientist or Senior Scientist with industry experience in protein biochemistry, cell biology, and biologics drug development. In this laboratory‑based role, the successful candidate will design novel reagents, cell lines, and assays to support functional screening of biologics leads, execute display‑based campaigns, and collaborate with the research team to achieve protein‑design goals. The position reports to the Director of Protein Engineering and is full‑time onsite in Redmond, WA (transitioning to Bothell, WA in fall 2026).

Key Responsibilities

• Design and generate novel cell‑based and biochemical assays and associated cell lines for functional screening of lead biologics (e.g., reporter assays for specific target signaling).
• Develop and implement high‑throughput cell‑free expression of antigens and antibody‑based binder molecules for rapid screening.
• Design and execute display‑based protein‑engineering campaigns of binders and effectors, including affinity modulation, stability optimization, and development of novel properties (e.g., pH, epitope masking).
• Optimize methods for functional screening and protein‑engineering campaigns (library generation, sample preparation, NGS sequencing, flow‑cytometry‑based lead selection).
• Design platforms for faster evaluation and screening of immune‑based repertoires from immunized animals or display methods for discovery and engineering.
• Utilize data‑analysis tools to evaluate large datasets to inform iterative protein design.
• Stay informed on advances in instrumentation, software, and methodologies for high‑throughput screening and display‑based protein engineering.
• Troubleshoot technical issues, implement solutions, and maintain data quality and integrity; use LIMS and meet internal reporting standards.
• Write and review standard operating procedures, perform general laboratory duties, and prepare experimental designs and analyses.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in bioengineering, biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a related field; 3+ years of industrial drug‑development experience preferred.
• 2+ years of experience generating novel cell lines and/or developing assays.
• Experience with display technologies (yeast or phage) for discovery and engineering of binders and lead molecules (Ab, Fab, scFv, VHH, etc.).
• Extensive experience in FACS‑based selection and sorting.
• Proficiency in one or more of library design and generation, display‑based selection, protein engineering, and assay development.
• Experience with data‑analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, FlowJo) and statistical analysis of experimental results.
• Excellent problem‑solving, organizational, and multitasking skills in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for multidisciplinary teamwork.
• On‑site work is mandatory.

Work Environment

The role involves working in a cell culture laboratory with other scientists and in a standard business office with desktop equipment and a moderate noise level.

Physical Demands

The employee will sit for extended periods and operate standard laboratory and business equipment.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range $90,000 – $130,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications.

Benefits include 100% paid employee premiums for medical/dental/vision, short‑term and long‑term disability, a 401(k) plan with 50% company match up to 3% and a vesting schedule of 5 years, 15 PTO days per year, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays.

SystImmune is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity.