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Protein Engineering — Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director / Director

Protein Engineering — Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director / Director

Breakwater TherapeuticsSeattle, WA, United States
1 day ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Protein Engineering — Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director / Director

Location : Seattle, WA (onsite)

Company : Breakwater Therapeutics (stealth mode)

About the Company

We’re an early-stage venture-backed biotech operating in stealth mode, and we are focused on mAb-based therapeutics. We’re building a nimble team that thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly from idea to experiment, and collaborates closely across science and operations to inform decision-making.

The Opportunity

This is a foundational, first-in-lab hire. You’ll help stand up our internal lab—procure and commission equipment, establish day-to-day workflows, and set the bar for scientific rigor, safety, and documentation—while running critical protein production, characterization, and developability workstreams that de-risk and accelerate our programs.

What You’ll Do

Build and run the lab

  • Stand up the lab (BSL-2 environment), including instrument selection / commissioning, qualification, preventive maintenance, inventory, ELN / LIMS, and safety / compliance workflows.
  • Own day-to-day operations (ordering / receiving, vendor coordination, facilities interface, waste streams, calibrations).

Protein production & purification

  • Execute small-scale antibody production for assay supply (e.g., transient CHO-K1), including cloning handoff, transfection, expression, and harvest.
  • Produce recombinant antigens to support binding assays (e.g., ELISA / BLI).
  • Purify proteins using standard workflows (Affinity → polishing via IEX / SEC); perform routine analytics (UV / Vis, SDS-PAGE, CE-SDS, HPLC-SEC).

    • Binding & comparability

  • Design and run ELISAs and BLI-based binding assays; perform FcRn binding across relevant pH conditions for comparability / PK-enabling readouts.

    • Developability triage

  • Execute rapid biophysical screens (e.g., nanoDSF / DSF-light, DLS, micro / small-scale viscosity, analytical SEC) to flag liabilities early and prioritize leads.

    • Formulation scouting

  • Screen buffers / excipients and assess impacts on aggregation, stability, and viscosity; contribute to formulation strategy for high-concentration readiness.

    • Collaboration & communication

  • Operate and troubleshoot independently with strategic oversight from the CSO; summarize and present data clearly for senior leadership decision-making.
  • Coordinate with external partners / CROs to complement internal capabilities and shorten cycle times.
  • Author technical reports and contribute to regulatory submissions

    • Mentorship

  • As the team grows, provide day-to-day guidance to 1–2 Research Associates (prioritization, data review, SOP / safety adherence) while remaining a hands-on contributor.
  • Train and onboard RAs on core workflows (transient CHO expression, purification, ELISA / BLI) to ensure consistency and quality.

    • What You’ll Bring

    Minimum qualifications

  • Ph.D. (or equivalent doctorate : PhD / DPhil / ScD) in protein sciences, biochemistry, bioengineering, or related field; 5+ years of relevant industry experience preferred.
  • Hands-on expertise with mammalian transient CHO-K1 expression for antibodies and recombinant protein production.
  • Solid purification skills (Protein A / affinity, IEX, SEC) and routine analytics (SDS-PAGE, HPLC-SEC).
  • Practical experience with ELISA and BLI (Octet or similar) assay design, execution, and data analysis.
  • Experience running developability / biophysical methods (e.g., DSF / DSC-light, DLS, small-scale viscosity, analytical SEC).
  • Familiarity with formulation buffer / excipient screening and stability assessments.
  • Proven ability to operate and troubleshoot independently in a fast-moving lab; strong documentation discipline (ELN / SOPs) and data visualization skills for cross-functional audiences.

    • Preferred qualifications

  • Experience setting up a new lab or significantly expanding lab capabilities (procurement, instrument commissioning, safety programs).
  • Direct experience in mAb protein engineering, such as :
  • Affinity maturation (display libraries or computational-guided)
  • Humanization and deimmunization (B / T-cell epitope risk mitigation)
  • Fc / Fab engineering (including FcRn and effector tuning)
  • Stability / solubility / developability engineering
  • Formulation DOE for buffer / excipient optimization and high-concentration suitability
  • FcRn binding assay execution / interpretation
  • Comfort with high-throughput plate-based workflows and basic automation.
  • Working knowledge of statistics for assay development / acceptance criteria.
  • Prior collaboration with CROs / CDMOs; ability to draft / track study plans and QC data packages.
  • Knowledge of GMP requirements and ICH guidelines

    • Traits for success

  • Highly motivated self-starter with high activation energy, scientific curiosity, and a roll-up-your-sleeves mindset.
  • Flexible, detail-oriented, and quality-driven; eager to learn new methods and optimize workflows.
  • Clear, concise communicator who can distill complex data for senior leadership and cross-functional partners.

    • Tools & Environment (representative)

  • Mammalian culture (shakers / incubators / CO₂), FPLC / ÄKTA or equivalent, plate readers, BLI (Octet or similar), HPLC-SEC, DLS, nanoDSF / DSF, viscometry, basic chem / biochem lab equipment; ELN and inventory systems.

    • Title & Level

    Level open : we anticipate hiring between Senior Principal Scientist and Director ; exceptional Scientist / Senior Scientist candidates will also be considered.

    Why Join Us

  • Play a foundational role in a venture-backed startup, shaping both the science and the lab culture.
  • Work closely with seasoned company builders and scientific leadership across the Frazier Life Sciences network.

    • Equal Opportunity Employer. We are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate diversity. We’re committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.

    How to Apply : Please send your CV and a brief note highlighting relevant hands-on experience with CHO-based expression, binding assays (ELISA / BLI), and developability screening.

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