Biotech Project Manager, Early Discovery

Overview

Profluent is an AI-first protein design company. Founded in 2022, we develop deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. Based in Emeryville, CA, we are backed by leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Bezos Expeditions, Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures, and have raised over $150M to date.

Profluent is redefining protein design by fusing generative AI with high-throughput experimental biology. As a Project Manager at Profluent, you will partner directly with our Alliance Management and Science teams to orchestrate the execution of our internal and external programs. In this role, you will be the operational backbone of our programs, translating complex scientific initiatives into highly organized, visual, and trackable project plans.

Your primary focus will be building and maintaining comprehensive timelines that map out multi-disciplinary workflows across bioinformatics, machine learning, and wet-lab validation, ensuring we deliver on our partner milestones on time.

Responsibilities

• Translate partner milestones into internal execution plans. Sit at the intersection of our Biology Wet Lab, Bioinformatics, and Machine Learning teams to ensure internal sprints align with external timelines
• Create, track, and dynamically update detailed Gantt charts across multiple concurrent programs. Visually map out critical paths, resource dependencies, and milestone delivery dates
• Partner closely with the Alliance Manager to monitor project health. Proactively identify risks, timeline variances, resource bottlenecks, or potential delays, providing data-driven updates to support partner communications
• Utilize project mapping tools and ML/Bioinformatics dashboards to generate clear status reports, burn-down charts, and timeline visualizations for both internal leadership and external joint steering committees

Qualifications

• 3 - 5 years of dedicated project management experience within the biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry. Experience developing lightweight, user-centered project management processes and tools that improve team effectiveness rather than overhead
• BA in Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, or a related field. This role will not need to run assays or write code, but they must be able to understand the timelines associated with wet-lab gene editing systems and AI model training loops
• Experience monitoring project workstreams to ensure compliance with partner milestone triggers, required quarterly or routine reporting rhythms, and material transfer protocols
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-variable project timelines using tools such as Jira and SmartSheet. You know how to define a critical path and manage dependencies across different scientific disciplines
• Capable of reviewing scientific contracts, research plans, and SOWs, successfully translating them into day-to-day operational project plans and timelines
• Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills across diverse technical domains. Ability to lead through influence and coordinate work across teams without direct authority
• Highly organized with a meticulous eye for detail, thriving on turning highly complex, ambiguous scientific goals into structured, scannable execution steps

Preferences

• Active PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMI-ACP, or Senior Scrum credential) is highly preferred
• Advanced proficiency with Jira is preferred - configuring workflows, managing complex backlogs, and utilizing Jira tools (or plugins like Advanced Roadmaps/Structure) to map out timelines
• Familiarity with early-stage, fast-paced startup environments is highly preferred

What We Offer

• High-growth opportunity with meaningful impact on the future of protein design
• Competitive compensation package with equity participation
• 401(k) with a strong employer match
• Comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance
• Generous PTO policy and commitment to work-life balance
• Professional development opportunities in a cutting-edge field at the intersection of AI and biology

Profluent Bio, Inc is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.

Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must have ongoing work authorization in the United States that does not require employer sponsorship. Sponsorship will not be provided now or at any time in the future for this position.

Employment Eligibility Verification
Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired must verify their identity and work eligibility and complete the required employment verification form upon hire