Profluent is an AI-first protein design company developing deep generative models to invent novel, functional proteins that revolutionize biomedicine. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Profluent fuses generative AI with high-throughput experimental biology. Backed by top-tier investors (including Altimeter Capital, Bezos Expeditions, and Spark Capital), the company has raised over $150M to date.
Role Overview
- Position: Project Manager
- Location: Emeryville, CA
- Base Compensation Range: $115,000 - $150,000 / year
- Sponsorship: None (Requires ongoing U.S. work authorization without future sponsorship)
The Project Manager acts as the operational backbone of Profluent's internal and external programs. Partnering directly with Alliance Management and scientific teams, this role translates complex scientific contracts, Statements of Work (SOWs), and partner milestones into highly organized, visual, and trackable project plans. You will map out and manage cross-functional critical paths across machine learning model training loops, bioinformatics pipelines, and wet-lab validation sprints.
Responsibilities
Timeline & Milestone Mapping
- Translate partner milestones, research plans, and scientific contracts into day-to-day internal execution plans.
- Create, monitor, and dynamically update detailed Gantt charts across multiple concurrent programs to map out critical paths, resource dependencies, and delivery dates.
- Align internal Agile sprints across Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, and Wet Lab Biology teams with external alliance timelines.
Risk Management & Tracking
- Partner closely with the Alliance Manager to monitor project health, proactively identifying timeline variances, resource bottlenecks, or potential delays.
- Track project workstreams to ensure compliance with partner milestone triggers, routine quarterly reporting rhythms, and material transfer protocols.
- Provide data-driven updates, burn-down charts, and timeline visualizations using project mapping tools and ML/Bioinformatics dashboards for internal leadership and external Joint Steering Committees.
Process Optimization
- Develop and implement lightweight, user-centered project management workflows that improve team velocity and coordination while minimizing administrative overhead.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Experience: 3–5 years of dedicated project management experience within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry.
- Education: BA/BS in Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, or a closely related scientific field. Must understand the operational timelines associated with wet-lab gene-editing systems and AI model training loops.
- Technical Tooling: Proven track record of managing complex, multi-variable project timelines and cross-functional dependencies using Jira and Smartsheet.
- Contract Competency: Experience reviewing scientific contracts, research plans, and SOWs to extract operational deliverables.
- Core Skills: Exceptional cross-functional communication, stakeholder management, and meticulous organizational skills. Ability to lead and coordinate complex technical domains through influence without direct authority.
Preferred Attributes
- Certifications: Active PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, PMI-ACP, or a Senior Scrum credential.
- Advanced Jira Skills: Experience configuring custom Jira workflows, managing complex backlogs, and utilizing roadmap plugins (e.g., Advanced Roadmaps, Structure).
- Environment: Experience thriving in early-stage, fast-paced, and ambiguous startup environments.
What Profluent Offers
- Competitive base salary with meaningful equity participation.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with a strong employer match.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy promoting work-life balance.
- Dedicated professional development opportunities at the cutting edge of AI and biology.
Equal Opportunity & Compliance
Profluent Bio, Inc. is 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, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Legal authorization to work in the United States and compliance with federal employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) is required upon hire.
