Associate Principal Scientist, Automation & Screening (Biologics Discovery)

Location: South San Francisco, California, United States; onsite role. US and Puerto Rico residents only. Domestic and international relocation is available. Visa sponsorship is available.

Base salary: $159,600–$251,200 per year, plus potential annual bonus and long-term incentive.

Company

hirify.global develops therapeutic antibodies and biologics through antibody generation, discovery, screening, characterization, protein sciences, data sciences, engineering, and therapeutic-area collaboration.

What you will do

• Develop and advance automated workflows for antibody discovery and characterization.
• Lead complex laboratory automation and high-throughput screening activities across multiple biotherapeutic discovery programs.
• Program, configure, integrate, and troubleshoot automated liquid-handling platforms, robotic arms, and related software.
• Translate scientific needs into scalable workflows, experimental plans, and decision-enabling capabilities.
• Manage priorities and resources across concurrent discovery workstreams while resolving complex technical issues.
• Manage, coach, provide feedback to, and support the professional development of a small team of automation scientists.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years, Master’s degree with 6+ years, or Ph.D. with 4+ years in a relevant biological science or related field, plus relevant experience.
• Scientific leadership experience directing complex laboratory automation or high-throughput screening activities across multiple programs.
• Hands-on experience with automated liquid-handling platforms such as Hamilton Microlab STAR, robotic arms, and related automation software, including method programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Python, SQL, R, or related tools for data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration.
• Strong experience with binding and cell-based assays, including ELISA and flow cytometry or fluorescence-activated cell sorting.
• Ability to translate scientific needs into scalable workflows, define experimental plans, resolve complex technical issues, and manage priorities and resources across concurrent biotherapeutic discovery workstreams.
• Experience managing or supervising a small team of automation scientists, including coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills in a matrixed research organization.

Nice to have

• Experience training laboratory users, standardizing automated methods, and overseeing safe and compliant laboratory operations.
• Experience evaluating or implementing antibody discovery technologies such as microfluidics, genetic or messenger RNA immunization, single-cell screening, or other high-throughput approaches.
• Strong knowledge of antibody discovery, characterization, NGS, protein engineering, and biologics modality design.
• Contributions to publications, intellectual property, technology strategy, or external collaborations.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaboration across protein sciences, data sciences, engineering, and therapeutic-area teams.
• Inclusive, diverse, and respectful research environment that encourages constructive challenge and collective problem-solving.
• Medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate leave, and sick days.
• Day shift with no travel required.