Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering

Job Description

We are seeking an innovative and experienced scientist to join the Discovery Biologics Protein Engineering department in South San Francisco to lead both functional area scientists and drug discovery programs. The Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering role carries leadership responsibilities as a functional SME and project team lead interfacing with multiple cross-site groups within the Discovery Biologics department and therapeutic areas. 

 

We recognize that in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a group of scientists to drive our core mission.

 

What you will do:

• Use advanced antibody and protein engineering methods to design and optimize novel biotherapeutics

• Support molecular biology acceleration for complex molecular engineering

• Work closely with HT protein engineering and computational protein engineers to integrate augmented designs and computational approaches toward accelerated derisking and optimization of biologics for best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics

• Lead and participate in cross-functional biologics programs from discovery to IND, integrating early research, progression through candidate nomination and selection, with deep experience of drug design and target candidate profiles

• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability, and inclusion

 

What you will need to be successful in this role:

 

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Protein Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Immunology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Computational Protein Design, or related STEM field with 8+ years of applied experience, or an MS and 10+ year of applied experience or a B.S. and 14+ years of applied experience

• Demonstrated deep experience in advancing protein therapeutics from discovery to development, preferably in immune cell engagers

• Has established of a strong external reputation through high-impact publications, presentations, and scientific community engagement

• Excellent verbal and written communication and collaboration abilities

Required skills:

• Expertise in functional optimization of biologics, especially immune cell engagers, with demonstrated knowledge in guiding advantageous molecular designs in a competitive landscape

• In-depth and current knowledge of antibody and protein therapeutics, with proven skills in molecular biology and antibody and protein optimization/engineering approaches

• Expert-level hands-on experience in protein engineering across wet-lab and computation-based methods

• Strong technical knowledge of multiple aspects of biologics production including protein engineering, expression, purification, and characterization

• Project leadership experience across discovery stages, from target evaluation, hit identification through preclinical development of therapeutic candidates

• Prior direct people management, including demonstrated mentorship and a track record of talent development

• Track record of driving scientific or platform innovations

• Recognized team player with strong collaboration skills and openness

• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability, and inclusion

Preferred skills:

• Experience advancing protein therapeutics beyond traditional mAbs, including VHHs, multi-specifics, fusion proteins, and ADCs

• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability, and inclusion

Your role at our company is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement.

 

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively for the common good. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Antibody Engineering, Antibody Therapeutics, Biologics, Mentorship, People Management, Protein Engineering, T Cell Immunology, Therapeutic Proteins

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$176,200.00 - $277,300.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/25/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.