Senior Protein Design Scientist

Senior Protein Design Scientist

Join us and make your mark on the world! Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for big ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory's mission.

Pay Range $202,500 - $308,184 Annually

$202,500 - $256,824 Annually for the SES.4 level

$243,060 - $308,184 Annually for the SES.5 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We have an opening for an accomplished and innovative Senior Protein Design Scientist to advance our R&D initiatives as part of the Center for Predictive Bioresilience (CPB). CPB is an exciting and fast-paced engineering center combining predictive computational modeling, machine learning, and experimental biology to develop medical countermeasures. This position will be in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate, matrixed to the CPB.

As a senior scientific leader, you will drive the next generation of our protein engineering platform, integrating advanced computational and experimental approaches to deliver impactful solutions for medical countermeasures and biotechnological innovation. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, including biochemists, microbiologists, bioinformaticians, and analytical chemists, to execute ambitious enzyme engineering programs. A key focus will be the development and deployment of AI/ML pipelines for enzyme design and the integration of high-throughput automation throughout experimental validation processes.

You will play a pivotal role in building and mentoring high-performing teams, cultivating strategic partnerships, and launching collaborative research programs with pharmaceutical, industrial, and government partners. Your passion for developing innovative technologies will help unlock new commercial and scientific opportunities, shaping the future direction of the CPB and the broader field of protein design.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the responsibilities outlined below will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role, you will:

• Provide technical leadership for protein design and engineering programs, setting strategy and direction for multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop, implement, and provide highly advanced biotechnical analysis and solutions to resolve highly complex biotechnical and programmatic issues.
• Architect and execute R&D strategies for protein engineering and biocatalysis platforms, integrating bioinformatics, analytics, and chemistry.
• Develop and implement innovative AI/ML pipelines for enzyme engineering and high-throughput experimental validation.
• Provide highly advanced guidance and mentorship to scientists across biochemistry, microbiology, bioinformatics, and analytical chemistry, fostering and supporting their technical growth and collaboration.
• Oversee operational management, optimizing project workflows, reducing cycle times, and improving program efficiency.
• Coordinate and interface directly with senior management and external sponsors to communicate technical milestones, solicit input from, and provide advice to leaders in the program.
• Utilize technical expertise and analytical skills to communicate results through formal and complex technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed scientific journals as appropriate.
• Lead the launch and execution of research programs and strategic partnerships with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), pharmaceutical, industrial, and government partners, spanning diverse applications to expand capabilities and support commercialization.
• Drive platform innovation, deploying new technologies in analytical chemistry, cell line development, and direct-to-biology screening.
• Secure external funding by co-authoring grant proposals and leading strategic collaborations to advance core technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.5 level:

• Serve as a subject matter expert, providing scientific and technical direction for highly complex and sensitive protein design projects.
• Champion the development and deployment of revolutionary methods and technologies, influencing the future direction of the organization and the field.
• Advise senior management and external stakeholders on strategic technical decisions, representing the organization as the senior technical expert in high-impact collaborations and committees.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific or technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Expert-level knowledge and application of enzyme engineering, directed evolution, high-throughput screening, and biocatalysis. Significant experience with a broad range of bioengineering applications, such as biotherapeutics, biosensors, and vaccines.
• Significant experience in developing and implementing R&D strategies for platform technologies.
• Significant experience and background and demonstrated ability to successfully lead multidisciplinary scientific teams and manage complex research programs.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate computational and experimental approaches, including AI/ML and bioinformatics.
• Proven success in launching and managing collaborative research programs with external partners.
• Expert-level strategic planning, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills and significant experience in preparing highly complex analyses and successfully delivering highly advanced technical presentations, as well as expert facilitation and collaboration skills to effectively influence and advise senior management and external sponsors.

Additional qualifications at the SES.5 level:

• Recognized subject matter expertise in protein engineering and design, with significant impact acknowledged both internally and externally.
• Extensive experience championing and leading innovative, high-impact scientific programs that advance the field.
• Extensive experience and proven track record of successfully leveraging resources and partnerships to develop new project portfolios and drive innovation.

Qualifications we desire:

• Experience integrating AI/ML tools into protein engineering workflows.
• Direct experience with grant writing, co-authoring proposals, and leading pre competitive collaborations.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

Additional Information

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years. If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires either no security clearance, or a Department of Energy (DOE) L-level or Q-level clearance depending on the particular assignment.

If you are selected and a security clearance is required, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. L and Q-level clearances require U.S. citizenship.

If no security clearance is required, but your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities. The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position. To be qualified for this position, candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment