---
title: 'Scientist II, Upstream Development for Protein Development and Manufacturing at Vaxcyte'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-ii-upstream-development-for-protein-development-and-manufacturing-xwvc5ge95a25'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Scientist II, Upstream Development for Protein Development and Manufacturing at Vaxcyte

- **Company:** Vaxcyte
- **Location:** San Carlos California, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-06-29
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/vaxcyte/jobs/5279290008?gh_jid=5279290008

## Job description

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance.

WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:

*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.

*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.

*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.

*MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

Vaxcyte is seeking a talented and experienced Scientist II, to join the Upstream Process Development group within the Protein Development and CMC team. This is an exciting opportunity to join an outstanding team pursuing bacterial fermentation development at Vaxcyte.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and qualities:

- A skilled upstream scientist with expertise in developing and characterizing bacterial fermentation processes for protein production.
- Hands-on experience operating and maintaining bioreactors, including Ambr® 250, at laboratory scale.
- Experience with pilot scale fermentation and recovery equipment is a plus.
- Skillful in analyzing and presenting data for process improvements, troubleshooting, and optimization.
- An exceptional team player who works seamlessly with others, speaks up, and remains focused on achieving the best results to achieve company goals.
- An experienced scientist who works with growing independence, collaborates across functional teams, and mentors junior colleagues.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.

Essential Functions:

- Contribute significantly to the development and characterization of upstream fermentation processes.
- Serve as a primary technical contributor to operational activities related to bioreactor set-up, monitoring, harvest, and maintenance.
- Develop, test, and implement recipe scripting for fed-batch fermentation feeding controls.
- Provide engineering support for design, implementation, and qualification of scale-down models.
- Author SOPs (standard operating procedure), process flow diagrams and batch records.
- Analyze and present fermentation data at internal project meetings. Participate in upstream database management and documentation in electronic notebooks.
- Collaborate with Downstream Process Development, Pilot Plant, MSAT, or Analytical Development as needed.
- Provide guidance or mentorship to junior team members.

Requirements:

- PhD with 2-5 years, MS with 7 years, or BA/BS with a minimum of 10 years of relevant Pharma/Biotech industry experience. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.
- Strong scientific background and hands-on experience with fermentation and/or primary recovery unit operations.
- Good understanding in fundamentals of bioreactor design, operation and controls.
- Strong knowledge of aseptic techniques
- Mechanical and technical knowledge of primary recovery unit operations such as homogenization, centrifugation, and depth filtration, is a plus
- Understanding of fermentation scale up and development of scale down models
- Familiarity with DoE (Design of Experiments) principles and software.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements of biotherapeutics. Late-stage process characterization experience is a plus.

Reports to: Senior Scientist, Upstream Development and Manufacturing

Location: San Carlos, CA

Work Arrangement (may be adjusted based on business needs, job responsibilities, or changes to company policy):

Onsite (5 days per week onsite)

Compensation:

The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Salary Range: $146,000 - $171,000

## Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

Please be aware of fraud or scams from individuals, organizations and/or internet sites claiming to represent Vaxcyte in recruitment activities. Vaxcyte has an established recruitment process for all positions prior to issuing an offer for employment and we will never extend unsolicited employment offers or ask candidates to provide financial or sensitive personal information as part of the application process. All legitimate communication from Vaxcyte will come from an official @vaxcyte.com email address. Qualified and interested candidates should apply to current openings at [vaxcyte.com/careers](https://vaxcyte.com/careers/).

## About Vaxcyte

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage biotechnology company re-engineering how vaccines are made to eliminate bacterial infections, using a cell-free protein synthesis platform to develop high-fidelity, broad-spectrum vaccines.
- **Entity Type**: Public (Ticker: PCVX)
- **Headquarters**: San Carlos, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2013 (as SutroVax; rebranded to Vaxcyte in 2020)
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (the company emerged from Sutro Biopharma’s spin-out)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Vaccines (Infectious Disease)
- **Target customers**: Global healthcare systems, public health organizations, and ultimately patients (B2B/Institutional); the company develops vaccines for both pediatric and adult populations.
- **Mission or purpose**: To protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial infections, eliminating diseases like invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella.

## Products & Services
- **VAX-31 (31-valent PCV)**: A broad-spectrum pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate in Phase 3 for adults and Phase 2 for infants. Designed to cover over 95% of circulating IPD serotypes in U.S. adults 50+ and ~94% in infants. FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation granted.
- **VAX-24 (24-valent PCV)**: A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate in Phase 2 for infants, designed to cover more serotypes than any infant PCV on the market today.
- **VAX-A1 (Group A Strep)**: A preclinical conjugate vaccine candidate for Group A Strep, a disease with no currently approved vaccine. Phase 1 first-in-human study (adults) underway in Australia.
- **VAX-GI (Shigella)**: A novel preclinical vaccine candidate targeting Shigella, a leading cause of diarrheal disease.
- **Platform Technology**: A proprietary cell-free protein synthesis platform that enables site-specific, carrier-sparing conjugation to produce precisely targeted vaccines with enhanced immunogenicity.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: ~$16.7 billion (as of early July 2026)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding raised (private) is not applicable; as a public company, key metrics include cash position (~$2.0 billion as of Q1 2026) and R&D investment. The company is pre-revenue.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Major institutional investors include Baker Bros. Advisors, Fidelity, and funds managed by BlackRock. Key partnership: exclusive license agreement with Sutro Biopharma for its cell-free protein synthesis platform.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Up to $1 billion commitment to expanding U.S. manufacturing with a new facility in North Carolina.
  - VAX-31 Phase 3 program (OPUS-1, OPUS-2, OPUS-3) topline data expected Q4 2026 – H1 2027.
  - Headcount growth: actively hiring across 100+ roles (Analytical, Commercial, Clinical, Conjugation, Quality, Regulatory).
  - Recognized as a Great Place to Work and Best Workplace in BioPharma (multiple years).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Broadest-spectrum PCV candidates**: VAX-31 is the broadest-spectrum pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the clinic, targeting up to 31 serotypes.
- **Differentiated platform**: Cell-free protein synthesis allows for the creation of complex, high-fidelity vaccines that can overcome bacterial defense mechanisms (e.g., capsule-switching) that limit conventional cell-based vaccines.
- **Carrier-sparing technology**: Site-specific conjugation enables a higher valency (more serotypes) without compromising immunogenicity or tolerability.
- **Manufacturing scale**: Significant investment in U.S.-based production capacity provides a long-term supply chain advantage and aligns with "Investing in America" initiatives.

## Strategic Focus
- **Primary**: Advance VAX-31 and VAX-24 through late-stage clinical trials to secure regulatory approval and establish a new standard of care for pneumococcal disease.
- **Pipeline expansion**: Advance VAX-A1 (Group A Strep) and VAX-GI (Shigella) candidates through early clinical development.
- **Manufacturing**: Scale up internal manufacturing capabilities to support commercial launch and global supply.
- **Commercial readiness**: Building a commercial organization (e.g., hiring a VP of U.S. Market Access & Pricing, Senior Director of Product Launch) to prepare for potential VAX-31 launch.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as a "kindness-first" mindset with a focus on audacious goals, collaboration, and mutual support. Recognized as a *Great Place to Work* and *Best Workplace in BioPharma* (Fortune).
- **Work Model**: Hybrid, Remote, and Onsite options available depending on role. San Carlos HQ offers a hybrid schedule.
- **Total Rewards**: 100% paid health, dental, and vision insurance; 401k matching; flexible PTO and holidays; paid parental and sick leave; equity awards (stock options & RSUs); Employee Stock Purchase Plan; lifestyle spending account; mental health and wellness resources.
- **Growth & Development**: Strong emphasis on learning culture, professional advancement through coaching, and career development programs.
- **Mission-driven**: Employees are directly contributing to creating vaccines that protect every child born and every adult at risk from bacterial infections globally.

## Sources
1. [vaxcyte.com](https://vaxcyte.com/)
2. [vaxcyte.com/careers](https://vaxcyte.com/careers/)
3. [vaxcyte.com/job-listings](https://vaxcyte.com/job-listings/)
4. [vaxcyte.com/culture](https://vaxcyte.com/culture/)
5. [vaxcyte.com/pipeline](https://vaxcyte.com/pipeline/)

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