Process Engineer I

A-Alpha Bio is an early-stage and rapidly growing drug discovery company headquartered in Seattle, WA. We are enabling the next generation of high-impact therapeutics by combining high-throughput synthetic biology to measure protein-protein interactions at scale with state-of-the-art machine learning to predict how proteins bind. We partner with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to enable the discovery of antibodies, molecular glues, and other protein interaction-related drugs. In parallel, we use our wet-lab and computational platforms to discover and develop an internal pipeline of biologics and molecular glues to improve human health.

This role is not open to remote applicants and would require relocation to Seattle, WA.

Starting Salary Range: $75,000 - $94,000 annually

Exemption Status: Exempt

Location Expectations: Hybrid

Role Description

At A-Alpha Bio, we're on a mission to improve human health by unlocking the potential of protein-protein interactions - and we're now seeking an experienced Process Engineer I to support our yeast-based AlphaSeq platform for drug discovery and optimization.

• As an engineer, you'll improve, scale up, and troubleshoot existing processes.

• As a catalyst, you'll work cross-functionally to drive the transfer of new methods into Technical Operations.

• As an innovator, you'll brainstorm, run experiments, gather data, and make informed decisions to improve efficiency and quality in Technical Operations.

Qualified candidates will possess hands-on experience executing molecular techniques in a regulated biotechnology environment. This position will involve hands-on lab work approximately 50% of the time.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the translation of R&D methods to reproducible standardized operating procedures (SOPs), as well as transition these methods to Technical Operations.

• Develop foundational understanding and executional expertise of Technical Operations methods.

• Execute iterative method development, perform end-to-end testing, and develop and integrate automation.

• Support development of QC methods, establishing metrics and acceptance criteria.

• Assist in testing, selection, and onboarding of equipment.

• Contribute to LIMS and software development.

• Support tracking and trending of KPIs and root cause investigations.

• Guide other staff in the application of process improvement tools and methodologies.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with 3+ years of relevant technical experience in the biotechnology industry, including 1+ years of specialized process engineering experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques.

• Operator experience in a regulated biotechnology manufacturing or high-throughput screening environment (e.g., CLIA, cGXP).

• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and use data to support decision-making.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to take initiative, multitask, prioritize, adapt rapidly to changes, and work collaboratively as part of a team with diverse experiences and skill levels.

• Keen attention to detail and attainment of deadlines.

Preferred

• Strong molecular biology background including PCR, cloning, sequencing, transformations, and next-generation sequencing.

• Lean Six Sigma Training or Certification.

• Experimental yeast biology experience.

• Familiarity with Design of Experiments, statistical analysis, and Root Cause Analysis methods.

• Knowledge of Benchling R&D Cloud.

• Experience operating, developing, and implementing methods for automated liquid handling systems.

• Experience with LIMS development, validation, and integration into lab processes.

We offer competitive compensation, including benefits, flexible time off, and equity in a fast-growing start-up. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States. At this time, A-Alpha Bio is unable to offer visa sponsorship in any form.

About A-Alpha Bio

A-Alpha Bio is a biotechnology company that leverages synthetic biology and machine learning to measure, predict, and engineer protein-protein interactions. Our AlphaSeq platform applies synthetic biology to experimentally measure millions of protein interaction affinities simultaneously. Protein binding data is incorporated into our AlphaBind platform to train machine learning models that predict binding from sequence. We use both platforms to discover and optimize high-impact therapeutics for our pipeline and in partnership with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

In 2018, A-Alpha Bio spun out of the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design and Center for Synthetic Biology - both communities filled with brilliant and highly entrepreneurial scientists. Since the company's inception, we have focused on an oncology-centered internal pipeline along with pharma and biotech partnerships to collaboratively train predictive machine learning models and discover and optimize drugs for therapeutic areas ranging from infectious disease to neurodegeneration. New members of the team should expect a fast-paced, highly dynamic, and interdisciplinary work environment. We are building a diverse, meritocratic, and supportive team that shares our values of speaking the truth, shooting for the moon, taking the reins, playing for the team, and improving the world.

A-Alpha Bio is headquartered in a custom designed lab and office space in downtown Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. While the startup lifestyle occasionally requires grueling hours, we strongly value the need for a work-life balance. We are fortunate to be situated in a region that is renowned for its premier outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, kayaking, sailing, and more. At A-Alpha, you'll find many who love the outdoors, but also gamers, amateur chefs, explorers, sports fans, bakers, crafters, photographers, brewers, jetsetters, animal lovers, and artists. Whatever your passions, you belong at A-Alpha Bio!