Head of Protein Engineering - Biotech

Head of Protein Engineering - Biotech - Cuernavaca   Cuernavaca (Mexico) or Munich (Germany) - Full time

Company    Our client is an   early-stage biotechnology product company   developing a   proprietary smart nano-delivery platform   based on   protein-engineered nanocapsules   .
The technology enables   on-demand release of active compounds   through   protein-based sensing mechanisms   , significantly reducing chemical usage, cost and environmental impact.
While the first commercial application is focused on   high-value agriculture   , the   core technology is deeply rooted in pharma-like molecular design   , with strong potential applications in   pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and life sciences   .
The company operates across   Mexico, Argentina and Europe   , is running advanced pilot programs, and is preparing for its next institutional funding round.

Mission    Own and lead the   protein engineering strategy   , with a   strong focus on antibody-based and antibody-like systems   .
Design, develop and optimize   protein sensors whose mechanism of action is analogous to antibody–antigen interactions   .
Lead the   molecular design and validation   of sensing proteins responsible for the smart release mechanism of the nanocapsules.
Translate   bioinformatic and structural protein data   into experimentally validated protein constructs.
Define and execute   high-throughput screening strategies   to test large numbers of protein variants in parallel.
Ensure scientific robustness of   binding specificity, affinity, selectivity and stability   of engineered proteins.
Lead and mentor a   multidisciplinary scientific team   (bioinformatics, microbiology, chemistry, process development).
Structure scientific roadmaps aligned with   product development, scale-up and investor milestones   .
Act as the   scientific authority   for protein-based sensing mechanisms internally and externally.
Balance   deep scientific rigor with startup execution   , speed, cost awareness and scalability constraints.

Your Profile    PhD or equivalent experience in   Protein Engineering, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics or related fields   .
Mandatory and extensive hands-on experience with antibodies or antibody-like systems   .
Proven background in   antibody engineering, antibody design, binding assays or immune-inspired sensing mechanisms   .
Strong understanding of   protein–protein interactions   , structure–function relationships and molecular recognition.
Experience working with   high-throughput screening platforms   for protein variants.
Previous exposure to   pharma, biotech, or biologics-driven environments   is highly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to   lead scientific teams   and define complex R&D strategies.
Ability to operate in an   early-stage startup   , combining scientific excellence with pragmatism.
Strong communication skills and capacity to interface with   investors and non-scientific stakeholders   .
Fluent English is mandatory   .
Willingness to work   on-site in Cuernavaca (Mexico) or Munich (Germany)  .

Benefits     Full-time senior leadership role   .
High-impact position critical to   technology validation, scalability and fundraising success   .

Location:

Cuernavaca (Mexico) or Munich (Germany)  , aligned with laboratory capabilities (high-throughput systems).
Competitive compensation aligned with senior biotech profiles and company stage.
Significant scientific ownership and long-term growth potential within the company.