Technical Project Manager

About the role

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our first-of-its-kind optogenetic platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology enables dynamic, tunable control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, and reproducibility advantages across the most complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins.

We’re looking for a Technical Project Manager with experience in leadership/management of innovative scientific projects to manage critical customer programs in Prolific’s pipeline. As Prolific has developed a unique form of cellular control using optogenetics, these projects can include, but are not limited to:

• R&D efforts focused on building new capabilities
• Enabling pharmaceutical partners to build optogenetic capabilities at their sites
• Full cell line development and preclinical scale up of customer molecules integrated into our optogenetic cell lines

Responsibilities

• Lead scoping, technical planning, coordination, and results reporting for client-facing projects
• Technical project scoping, planning, and schedule oversight of internal and client-facing projects
• Resource planning with senior leadership to forecast project needs, scope alignment, and schedule coordination
• Close collaboration with technical leads to ensure clear communication and efficient coordination
• Adapt and take on new responsibilities to help the company scale project management as the company grows
• Creation and support of new project standards and practices and improvement initiatives with project management colleagues
• Project reporting functions, such as monthly project updates, dashboard reporting, and critical project milestone/data reports
• Collaborate and communicate with Research & Development, cell line development, process development, analytics, hardware, business development and product development teams for cross-functional coordination to make key decisions on tech transfers and technical support
• Collaborate and communicate with client/customer teams including technical leads, business development representatives, and senior leadership
• Collaborate and communicate with third-parties, suppliers and partners for necessary capital equipment to support our teams

Qualifications

• Masters (5+ years) or PhD (2+ years) with project management in cell line development or process development in a biopharmaceutical or similar industry
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is desired, but not required
• Direct technical experience with cell engineering, cell line development, or process development/scale-up is desired

What you’ll need to succeed

• Good verbal and written communication skills with a focus on clarity and conciseness in a team-oriented environment
• Willingness to bring technical acumen to help with team challenges and addressing technical obstacles
• Attention to detail and ensuring that operations and processes run in a repeatable and safe manner
• Ability to prioritize and balance between planning and being action oriented in order to move projects forward
• Thoughtful coworker who cares deeply about the company's mission and culture
• Thrives in a dynamic environment and can take on the plurality of challenges that are inherent to startups
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and can support others in times of change
• Fosters a team environment and actively seeks impactful feedback from colleagues

Benefits

• Generous equity package in an early stage company
• Retirement plan with company contribution
• Flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums
• Company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Career coaching
• Mental health support
• Free team lunches everyday
• Great snacks
• Companywide social events

Location

Emeryville, CA

Pay

This role is salaried, exempt, and paid semi-monthly. Starting salary will be dependent upon specific experience, knowledge, and skillset. The range for the Manager level will typically fall between $140k–$175k.