Scientist I/Senior Engineer I, Pilot Lab Lead

The role

The Scientist I/Senior Engineer I, Pilot Lab lead will oversee a pilot laboratory responsible for producing engineered RNA and targeted lipid nanoparticles. This person will manage direct reports and execute gram-scale manufacturing campaigns.

What you will do

• Plan, execute, and deliver recurring gram-scale eRNA and tLNP manufacturing campaigns.
• Lead and participate in manufacturing activities including IVT, chromatography, T-mixer lipid formulation, conjugation, filtration, and fill-finish.
• Manage, coach, and develop a small team of scientists and/or engineers.
• Oversee daily pilot laboratory operations including production scheduling, capacity planning, and inventory.
• Develop, implement, optimize, and transfer scalable eRNA and tLNP processes.
• Provide technical leadership for upstream and downstream eRNA production.
• Troubleshoot complex process, equipment, and manufacturing issues.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements to increase throughput and robustness.
• Author and review protocols, batch records, SOPs, technical reports, and equipment procedures.
• Analyze process and analytical data and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Required qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or developing technical personnel.
• Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, bioprocessing, or biologics manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience executing pilot-scale or gram-scale manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing, scaling, transferring, or routinely executing biological production processes.
• Experience with relevant unit operations such as TFF, chromatography, filtration, concentration, or buffer exchange.
• Strong technical writing, documentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver manufacturing campaigns on schedule.
• Scientist I: PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline; MS with at least 6 years of relevant industry experience; or BS with at least 8 years of relevant industry experience.
• Senior Engineer I: Master’s degree in engineering or a related discipline with at least 4 years of relevant industry experience; or BS in an engineering discipline with at least 6 years of relevant in

Nice to have

• Direct experience producing LNPs or tLNPs at gram scale for in vivo studies.
• Experience with RNA or eRNA synthesis, purification, and drug-substance manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with T-mixer formulation and TFF process development or execution.
• Experience operating in a pilot-scale, process-development, GLP, or GMP-adjacent environment.
• Experience introducing new equipment or processes into an active manufacturing laboratory.

About the company

Sail Biomedicines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.