Associate Engineer I

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, periodontitis and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 

WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:

*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.

*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.

*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.

*MODEL EXCELLENCE: The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

Vaxcyte is seeking an energetic and talented Associate Engineer I to contribute to the Polysaccharide development and manufacturing group within the CMC team. Vaxcyte is developing a multi-valent polysaccharide-based conjugate vaccine, based on a novel carrier protein produced using the Xpress CF platform. Polysaccharides are a critical component in conjugate vaccines.

The successful candidate will have practical laboratory experience related to biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, or vaccine industries. Specifically, the candidate will have experience developing processes for downstream purification of proteins or other biomolecules of interest. The candidate will be eager to utilize and learn new laboratory skills as this person will be responsible for collaboration on experimental design and execution of experiments to further the polysaccharide development and manufacturing programs. This position will require >50% time in the lab initially and this person will be able to independently detail experimental procedures/results in written and presentation formats. The successful candidate may interface closely with the CMC team, write detailed technical reports, present experimental results internally, and may potentially interface with external CMO partners.

Essential Functions:

• Support downstream process development experiments, including process characterization studies.
• Operate and maintain equipment for polysaccharide production, including automated microfluidizers, TFF systems, ÄKTA chromatography systems, automated filtration units, and continuous centrifuges.
• Conduct assays and analyze results for polysaccharide and impurity assays, including Anthrone, Lowry, SEC-MALS, and HPAEC-PAD.
• Prepare buffers and reagents as needed for experiments.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of development experiments and project activities in laboratory or electronic notebooks.
• Review completed protocols and batch records.
• Present and communicate experimental data to the polysaccharide team.
• Participate actively in technical discussions within the polysaccharide team.
• Write, review, and approve R&D protocols, batch records, and reports to support process development.
• Collaborate within a team environment and provide support as needed to advance team objectives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related discipline, with 0-2 years of industry experience.
• Hands-on experience and theoretical understanding of key processing operations such as chromatography, TFF, depth filtration, continuous centrifugation, and microfluidization.
• Theoretical understanding of key analytical methods used for characterizing process quality and performance attributes.
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) principles; experience with DoE software is a plus.
• Process characterization experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles to scale processes from lab to pilot scale.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, and JMP; experience with process modeling software is a plus.
• Working knowledge of GMP requirements.
• Availability to travel internationally to CMOs, as some international travel may be required.
• Proven ability to succeed in a cross-functional team environment, effectively managing multiple projects and contributing to team outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Reports to: Senior Associate Engineer, Polysaccharide Process Development

Location: San Carlos, CA

Compensation:

The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Salary Range: $73,000 – $91,000

Vaxcyte, Inc.

825 Industrial Road, Suite 300

San Carlos, CA 94070

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.