Senior Scientist / Engineer: Synthetic Biology & Bioengineering

Intertwine Associates•Mount Pleasant, SC

4d•$90,000 - $220,000•Remote

About The Position

Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment as a Senior Scientist / Engineer supporting federal agencies and other clients across synthetic biology, bioengineering, and the life sciences. Collaborate with government program managers, agency leadership, and client teams to shape bold research initiatives; support the development, funding, and management of new and existing R&D programs; and help clients accelerate better outcomes for health, security, and the bioeconomy. Provide direct technical support to R&D performer teams, program managers, and stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem. Bring deep technical expertise in synthetic biology and/or bioengineering, and apply it to emerging technologies in the context of translation, manufacturability, regulatory constraints, and biosecurity. Provide technical and strategic support across areas such as genetic circuit and cell engineering, engineered cell therapies, gene editing, nucleic acid therapeutics and delivery, protein engineering and directed evolution, cell-free systems, microbial engineering and biomanufacturing, and AI-driven biological design. Conduct landscape analyses and technical diligence on emerging capabilities, vendors, performers, and scientific trends, and advise on the scientific plausibility, feasibility, manufacturability, and adoption potential of proposed approaches. Assess the path to impact alongside the science: scale-up and process development, quality and GMP considerations, regulatory strategy, supply chain, and the adoption barriers that determine whether a technology reaches the people it is meant to serve. Review and assess technical proposals, performer submissions, milestones, deliverables, and program risks. Provide feedback, organize reviewer comments, and draft recommendations, project summaries, and presentation materials. Help identify subject-matter experts, potential performers, test and evaluation partners, and transition stakeholders across academia, industry, and government. Assist in program management functions, including preparing for technical meetings, conducting site visits, consolidating performer progress, identifying schedule risks, and creating briefing materials. Maintain awareness of relevant scientific, regulatory, biosecurity, and market developments. Strong client or customer engagement is required in this role. You will interface directly and continuously with government program managers, agency or client leadership, performer teams, and external stakeholders, and are expected to represent Intertwine Associates and the client with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgment at every touchpoint. This is a remote position with approximately 10-20% CONUS travel. Assignments are matched to client needs and to each candidate's expertise and eligibility.

Requirements

PhD in synthetic biology, bioengineering, molecular or cell biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, immunology, microbiology, or a related discipline; or equivalent advanced research experience.
Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in one or more of: genetic circuit or cell engineering, engineered cell therapies, gene editing, nucleic acid therapeutics and delivery, protein engineering, microbial engineering, biomanufacturing, or computational and AI-driven biological design.
Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate technical data, experimental plans, and development pathways.
Experience synthesizing complex scientific information into concise written and visual products for decision support.
Experience supporting complex R&D efforts involving academic, clinical, and/or industrial stakeholders.
Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, both internally and externally with members of the public.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, and to prioritize work.
Highly detail-oriented, organized, and proactive.
Strong work ethic and a passion for scientific discovery and its real-world impact.
U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency may be required per contract.
Ability to obtain a federal government Public Trust or security clearance where the assignment requires one.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience translating an engineered biology platform toward the clinic, the field, or manufacturing scale.
Experience with CMC, GMP, or regulatory interactions for biologics, cell or gene therapies, or engineered organisms.
Familiarity with biosecurity, dual-use research, and responsible innovation frameworks.
Experience with computational or AI-driven biological design and data-intensive biology.
Experience supporting DARPA or related federal “ARPA” agencies (IARPA, ARPA-E, HSARPA, ARPA-H), or other federal R&D, health, defense, or science agencies.
Science policy experience (for example, a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship or a comparable program).
Two or more years of experience in federal, healthcare, or scientific consulting.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with government program managers, agency leadership, and client teams to shape research initiatives.
Support the development, funding, and management of R&D programs.
Provide direct technical support to R&D performer teams, program managers, and stakeholders.
Apply technical expertise in synthetic biology and/or bioengineering to emerging technologies.
Provide technical and strategic support in areas such as genetic circuit and cell engineering, engineered cell therapies, gene editing, nucleic acid therapeutics and delivery, protein engineering and directed evolution, cell-free systems, microbial engineering and biomanufacturing, and AI-driven biological design.
Conduct landscape analyses and technical diligence on emerging capabilities, vendors, performers, and scientific trends.
Advise on the scientific plausibility, feasibility, manufacturability, and adoption potential of proposed approaches.
Assess the path to impact, including scale-up, process development, quality and GMP considerations, regulatory strategy, supply chain, and adoption barriers.
Review and assess technical proposals, performer submissions, milestones, deliverables, and program risks.
Provide feedback, organize reviewer comments, and draft recommendations, project summaries, and presentation materials.
Identify subject-matter experts, potential performers, test and evaluation partners, and transition stakeholders.
Assist in program management functions, including preparing for technical meetings, conducting site visits, consolidating performer progress, identifying schedule risks, and creating briefing materials.
Maintain awareness of relevant scientific, regulatory, biosecurity, and market developments.
Interface directly and continuously with government program managers, agency or client leadership, performer teams, and external stakeholders.
Represent Intertwine Associates and the client with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgment.