Research Scientist-Wet Lab Protein Engineer

Aero Vironment (AV) advances innovative technologies through scientific research, engineering, and cross-functional collaboration to address complex challenges in defense, aerospace, and national security. Our biomaterials research focuses on leveraging biological systems to develop durable, high-performance materials with potential applications in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. AV is seeking a Research Scientist - Wet Lab Protein Engineer that will support protein and strain engineering initiatives through basic and applied research.

This position involves working on-site in the Biomanufacturing & Biomaterials Laboratory. This role will focus on discovering, characterizing, and optimizing enzymes for diverse operating environments using model and non-model organisms.

• Rational design, directed evolution, and semi-rational mutagenesis of proteins to tailor enzymatic activity and stability under diverse environmental conditions (e.g., pH, temperature, non-aqueous solvents).
• Biochemical assay development, enzyme kinetics, and protein characterization to validate target functionality.
• Executing molecular biology protocols. This may include plasmid construction, cloning, recombinant expression, CRISPR/gene editing, nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) extraction, and target manipulation.
• Designing and tuning metabolic pathways to biosynthesize precursor molecules, complex hydrocarbons, and material monomers.
• Designing microplate-based assays, microfluidic workflows, or FACS-based screens to rapidly profile host and enzyme performance.
• Collaborate with computational and fermentation scientists to aid protein design optimization and contribute to the development of biomanufacturing workflows.
• Apply modern genetic engineering techniques to isolate candidate proteins and develop host strains.
• Utilize high-throughput screening methods to identify and evaluate candidate proteins and host strains.
• Collaborate with computational and experimental scientists to develop and optimize biomolecules and biomanufacturing processes.
• Contribute to the development of novel hydrocarbons, ceramic materials, and advanced optical materials.

• M.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering Biophysics, or a related field, required. (PhD, preferred) including designing, optimizing, and characterizing proteins and biologics using state of the art molecular biology and high throughput screening techniques.
• U.S. Citizenship is required due to government facility access requirements.
• Demonstrated proficiency in core molecular biology techniques (plasmid construction/cloning, nucleic acid isolation, PCR/qPCR, etc.).
• Proficiency in protein expression and purification.
• Strong quantitative analysis and experimental troubleshooting capabilities.

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering Biophysics, or a related field, required.
• Automation/High-Throughput Screening:
  Experience with high-throughput liquid handling robots or automated screening workflows.
• Demonstrated experience developing and running robust selection/screening assays (e.g., yeast/phage display, plate-based fluorescence, or cell-free translation systems).
• Bio-Interfacial Modeling:
  Knowledge of how proteins behave when tethered to solid surfaces (e.g., resin or silica).
• Library Generation:
  Hands-on expertise in library construction (e.g., Golden Gate cloning, Gibson Assembly, site-saturation mutagenesis, error-prone PCR).
• Protein Purification:
  Familiarity with affinity tag based recombinant protein purification using an FPLC.
• Fermentation Knowledge:
  Familiarity with bioreactor operation modes during scale-up.
• Familiarity with computational tools…