Director, Antibody Engineering and Discovery

iBio is an AI-driven innovator developing therapies for cardiometabolic, obesity, and cardiopulmonary diseases. iBio’s mission is to decrease drug failures, shorten development timelines, and open up new frontiers against the most promising therapeutic targets.

iBio is based in San Diego, CA. For more information, visit  .

We are seeking an experienced scientific leader to direct our Antibody Engineering and Discovery team, overseeing protein expression, purification, molecular engineering, characterization, and functional screening. This role will lead programs from antibody sequences and hits emerging from iBio’s discovery platform through lead optimization and delivery of well-characterized molecules for in vivo proof-of-concept studies with the translational team.

The ideal candidate combines deep antibody engineering expertise with broad biologics drug discovery experience and strong technical expertise in cell-based assays. Experience developing multispecific antibodies, antibody-peptide fusions, and peptide conjugates is central to the role. This leader will combine team management with direct scientific problem-solving to advance differentiated molecules across conventional and emerging biologic formats.

This role reports to the Vice President, Research and Early Development and is based onsite in San Diego, CA.

• Lead and develop the Antibody Engineering and Discovery team, establishing clear priorities, roles, objectives, and accountability across protein production, engineering, and screening activities.
• Own the progression of platform-derived antibodies from initial characterization through engineering, lead selection, and readiness for in vivo proof of concept. Define stage-appropriate decision criteria and resolve key scientific and technical risks.
• Lead the design and optimization of antibody‑peptide fusions and peptide conjugates, integrating protein engineering, peptide pharmacology, and conjugation chemistry. Select molecular architectures, attachment sites, and linkers based on functional activity, stability, exposure, and develop ability. Advance monoclonal antibodies, multispecifics, and other complex formats as program priorities require.
• Oversee construct design, mammalian expression, purification, and production of research‑grade molecules. Troubleshoot low yield, mispaired chains, aggregates, fragments, and other product‑related impurities, and deliver material of suitable quality and quantity for screening and in vivo studies.
• Lead development and execution of robust cell‑based assays for antibody screening, hit confirmation, and lead optimization, including binding, receptor signaling, agonism or antagonism, and disease‑relevant functional readouts.
• Integrate binding kinetics, potency, selectivity, epitope information, and biophysical data to guide molecule selection. Assess develop ability, including solubility, aggregation, thermal and storage stability, and peptide or linker integrity.
• Partner with platform, computational, and structural biology teams to translate sequence and structural insights into testable engineering hypotheses and efficient design‑build‑test cycles.
• Partner with the translational team to define species cross‑reactivity, surrogate needs, functional benchmarks, and material requirements for in vivo studies. Establish a clear handoff supported by reproducible potency, identity, purity, stability, endotoxin control, and compatibility with dosing conditions.
• Collaborate with CMC and early development colleagues to identify manufacturability and downstream development risks early and support transfer of constructs, methods, and characterization data as programs advance.
• Recruit, coach, and…