Head of AI-Driven Protein Engineering
Location: San Francisco, CA
HireMinds is seeking your expertise as a Head of AI-Driven Protein Engineering to help lead our client's efforts in using next-generation computational tools to design and optimize biologics. You'll bring experience in design and library constructions with molecules including antibodies, enzymes, and novel scaffolds-with Biotech or Pharmaceutical company experience. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on scientific leader who thrives at the intersection of experimental protein science and cutting-edge AI.
You'll drive therapeutic protein design campaigns, translating high-level discovery strategies into well-executed experiments. As both a scientific strategist and a doer, you'll lead a growing team of protein engineers and computational biologists while partnering closely with AI researchers and wet-lab scientists to validate and iterate designs.
This is a high-impact leadership role with the opportunity to shape the direction of the companies R&D efforts and help define what's possible with AI in biologics discovery.
You'll Be Responsible For:
- Lead protein and antibody design campaigns for both internal proof-of-concept studies and partner-driven programs
- Collaborate with ML researchers and wet-lab teams to iterate on protein design workflows and model integration
- Design and execute experiments that validate AI-generated protein sequences based on biochemical, structural, and functional criteria
- Interpret data from expression, binding, stability, and activity assays to refine model predictions and design criteria
- Build and lead a high-performing team of computational and experimental protein engineers
- Work cross-functionally with business development and leadership to shape partnerships and expand capabilities
- Improve internal infrastructure, including design tools, data pipelines, and lab workflows
- Stay ahead of the next frontier of protein engineering and AI advancements, applying them to solve real-world challenges in drug discovery
You'll Bring Expertise:
- Ph.D. or equivalent industry experience in protein science, antibody engineering, biochemistry, computational biology, or related fields
- A hands-on leadership in protein or antibody engineering, with a strong foundation in biochemistry, structural biology, or molecular biology
- Experience in rational design and/or directed evolution of biologics, with a track record of guiding experimental campaigns from design through validation
- Familiarity with or highly motivated to work alongside machine learning tools such as AlphaFold, RFdiffusion, or ProteinMPNN-even if you don't build the models yourself
- A collaborative problem-solver who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and can bridge the gap between computational and experimental teams
- Comfortable in an early-stage setting, with the ability to build processes, mentor talent, and influence culture
- Driven by impact-whether improving therapeutic profiles, solving bottlenecks in discovery, or helping bring novel medicines to patients
Why Join? You'll work alongside AI and protein science pioneers-collaborating across disciplines to create programmable, high-performance biologics. With competitive compensation package, a mission-driven environment, and the opportunity to help define the next frontier in therapeutic discovery.
Salary Range: $200,000-$250,000.00