Senior Scientist, R&D Design Transfer & Product Development

Natera; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity awards

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Natera in California seeks a Senior Design Transfer Scientist to lead the transfer of IVD NGS assays from R&D to Operations, balancing hands-on lab work with data analysis and meticulous documentation in a fast-paced, regulated setting.

You will drive design transfer validation, TMV, DHF/DMR maintenance, change control and CAPA investigations, while collaborating cross-functionally to ensure supply chain readiness and on-market support.

Qualifications

• PhD with 4+ years of industry experience OR
• Master's with 7+ years experience OR
• Bachelor's with 10+ years experience in relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute process validations (IQ/OQ/PQ) and stability studies.
• Support TMV development and generation of manufacturing specs.
• Lead Risk Management activities and maintain DHF/DMR.
• Lead change control and assess impact of design changes.
• Investigate deviations, perform root cause analysis, implement CAPA.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to establish material pipelines and present updates.

Skills

Molecular Biology Experience

Experimental & Analytical Skills

Communication

Execution

Regulatory Knowledge

Study Plans & Reports

Statistics (JMP)

IVD/Medical Device Experience

Manufacturing/Scale-Up

Automated Liquid Handling

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/related field

Master's in related field

Bachelor's in related field

Tools

JMP

Hamilton

Tecan

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Design Transfer Scientist will lead and support the transition of In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) assays from R&D to Operations. This role is responsible for planning, executing, and documenting all design transfer activities while ensuring strict compliance with regulatory and quality standards. The ideal candidate will balance hands-on laboratory work, data analysis, and documentation. As a cross-functional collaborator, you will interface with multiple functional groups to drive project deliverables to completion in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design Transfer & Validation: Plan and execute process validations (IQ/OQ/PQ), stability studies, and study protocols; perform data analysis and author final reports


• Test Method Development: Support test method development, characterization, and Test Method Validation (TMV), including the generation of manufacturing specifications


• Quality & Risk Management: Lead Risk Management activities (including FMEAs) to identify and mitigate product risks; establish and maintain Design History Files (DHF) and Device Master Records (DMR)


• Sustaining & Change Control: Lead change control activities to evaluate and determine the impact of design changes to on-market products


• CAPA & Troubleshooting: Investigate product or process deviations, perform root cause analysis, and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)


• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Supply Chain to establish raw material and consumable pipelines; present status updates, data, and technical proposals to cross-functional stakeholders

Education & Experience

• PhD. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field with 4+ years of relevant industry experience; OR


• Master's degree in the fields above with 7+ years of relevant industry experience; OR


• Bachelor's degree in the fields above with 10+ years of relevant industry experience

Qualifications

• Molecular Biology Experience: hands-on expertise in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows such as DNA/RNA extraction, targeted enrichment, or whole genome library preparation and/or deep expertise with other DNA molecular biology techniques such as PCR, qPCR and multiplex PCR


• Experimental & Analytical Skills: Ability to own a study from start to finish including designing experiments, executing in the lab, analyzing data and documenting results. Must be able to perform basic statistical analysis.


• Communication: Excellent cross-functional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to present complex technical data clearly to non-technical audiences


• Execution: Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities and drive deliverables to completion


• Knowledge of Design Controls, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and regulatory standards (FDA, ISO 13485, CLSI) within GLP/GMP environments is highly desired


• Experience authoring study plans, protocols and study reports is highly desired


• Experience with statistical software (such as JMP) is highly desired


• Prior experience in IVD product development or commercialization is preferred


• Experience in manufacturing, scale up, and Quality Control (QC) is preferred


• Experience with automated liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan) is preferred

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera's robust Total Rewards program, including:

• Annual performance incentive bonus


• Long-term equity awards


• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)


• 401(k) with company match


• Generous paid time off and company holidays


• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range: $136,600-$170,700 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

What We Offer

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/.

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.