Senior Process Engineer, Vector Development

Reporting into a lead within the Vector Engineering/Development team depending on seniority, CARGO is hiring a downstream viral vector Process Development Senior Engineer on the Technical Operations team. The candidate will contribute to and support development of downstream GMP-compatible manufacturing processes for production of CARGO’s viral vectors. The ideal candidate will have a background in downstream viral vector concentration and purification techniques, especially focused on chromatographic purification methods. The successful candidate will work closely with the Process Sciences team and the broader CMC team. This individual will also collaborate cross-functionally to ensure timely development and manufacture, and release of vector products, as well as support regulatory submissions.

The position is lab-facing/on-site at our San Carlos, CA office.

WHAT YOU’LL DO AT CARGO THERAPEUTICS

Key responsibilities; these will evolve over time as the portfolio matures:

• Support planning and execution of experiments and associated analysis and reporting
• Provide downstream process development support in a team-based environment for viral vector technical development studies performed both internally and externally
• Support technology transfer to partners at external contract manufacturing organization including compilation of documentation (protocols, test methods, reports)
• Participate in laboratory set up and equipment procurement, and establish internal process development practices with special emphasis on chromatographic separation methods
• Author relevant documentation (protocols, technical development, qualification reports)
• Organize, communicate, and present data to key stakeholders, senior management, and external partners
• Interface and work collaboratively with CDMO and testing lab partners

• Proactively enable cross-functional collaborations with internal stakeholders, external partners, and consultants

THE RIGHT STUFF: Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific area such as biotechnology, bioprocess, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, or virology (required), with 8+ years of experience for BS, 6+ years’ for MS, or 3+ years’ for PhD
• 2+ years of relevant experience in downstream viral vector concentration and purification techniques; lentiviral vector experience preferred
• Must have a strong understanding of viral vector production methods, cell culture, and other relevant methods of vector characterization; lentiviral vector experience preferred
• Experience using AKTA chromatography systems and associated Unicorn software
• Experience with anion exchange chromatography
• Ability to work in a highly adaptive environment and learn new skills for changing priorities.
• Flexible and creative, with ability to think outside the box
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Must be a strong team player and willing to work collaboratively in a small team environment
• Flexibility with work schedule/on-site availability (i.e., occasional weekend work) as we are building the team

• Willingness to travel (up to 10-20%)

Preferred Experience & Qualifications

• Prior experience in downstream viral vector process development preferred, especially as related to lenti and/or retroviral vectors
• Experience with viral vector scale-down models (5-10L scale) preferred
• Experience with cross flow/tangential flow (TFF) concentration of viral vectors using hollow fiber modules is a plus
• Experience with Design of Experiment (DoE) and Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA) based approaches is preferred
• Experience with multi-color flow cytometry is a plus
• Experience with electronic lab notebooks and inventory system is preferred

• Proficiency in Office, Design of Experiments, JMP, Prism, and other productivity and data analysis tools is a plus

PAY RANGE

The combined pay range for this role is $112,000 - $154,000. Title and salary will be based on our assessment of skills and experience relevant to our needs for the role.

ABOUT CARGO THERAPEUTICS

CARGO Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company positioned to advance next generation, potentially curative cell therapies for cancer patients. CARGO’s programs, platform technologies, and manufacturing strategy are designed to directly address the limitations of approved cell therapies, including limited durability of effect, safety concerns and unreliable supply. CARGO is currently evaluating its lead program, CRG-022, an autologous CD22 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy candidate, in a potentially pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) whose disease relapsed or was refractory (R/R) to CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. CARGO also plans to evaluate CRG-022 in patients at earlier stages of disease, including LBCL and other hematologic malignancies. Beyond its lead program, CARGO is leveraging its proprietary cell engineering platform technologies to develop a pipeline of programs that incorporate multiple transgene therapeutic “cargo” designed to enhance CAR T-cell persistence and trafficking to tumor lesions, as well as to help safeguard against tumor resistance and T-cell exhaustion. CARGO’s founders are pioneers and world-class experts in CAR T-cell therapy, and its team has significant experience and success developing, manufacturing, launching and commercializing oncology and cell therapy products. For more information, please visit the CARGO Therapeutics website at https://cargo-tx.com/.

Join us to help make a difference!

EEO & EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

CARGO Therapeutics, Inc. is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company. We provide equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, or veteran status. CARGO Therapeutics, Inc. also complies with all applicable national, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification required of applicable law.

CARGO Therapeutics requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of their start date. This requirement is a condition of employment at CARGO Therapeutics, and it applies regardless of whether the position is located at a CARGO Therapeutics site or is fully remote. If you are unable to receive the vaccine due to a disability or serious medical condition, or because it is prohibited because of your sincerely held religious beliefs, you will have an opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation.