Director of Protein Engineering

Job overview

The Director of Protein Engineering role is full-time and onsite in Bothell, WA. The expected base salary is $180,000–$240,000 per year. SystImmune develops cancer treatments, including multi-specific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates, and this role leads its FUSE team. The director owns and advances the yeast display platform, leads scientists and research associates, and directs discovery and engineering campaigns. The role connects platform capabilities with oncology pipeline needs by partnering across discovery biology, antibody discovery, CMC, and computational teams to deliver optimized lead molecules.

What you'll do

• Lead, mentor, and develop scientists and research associates
• set technical direction, hiring plans, and team operating rhythms
• own and advance the yeast display platform and integrate it with the FUSE automation wet lab
• define platform performance metrics and continuous improvement
• direct antibody and ADC discovery and engineering campaigns
• guide binder optimization strategies
• ensure data quality, reproducibility, SOPs, LIMS usage, and documentation standards
• use NGS, flow cytometry, and computational tools to inform design and selection.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

director of protein engineering

yeast display

biologics

antibody engineering

oncology

adc

laboratory automation

team leadership

bothell wa

systimmune

$180k-$240k/year

onsite

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• 100% paid employee medical, dental, and vision premiums
• short- and long-term disability
• 401(k) with company match
• 15 PTO days, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays.

Why this role

Requires a PhD in a related field, 10+ years in biologics discovery and development, and 8+ years of hands-on yeast display experience. Leadership experience and delivery of engineered binders or therapeutic leads are required qualifications.

About the employer

Systimmune is hiring for this role. Industry: Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Sector: 54.