Full-Time

MSAT Senior Engineer/Scientist

Bioconjugation

Abzena

Abzena

201-500 employees

CDMO for complex biologics and ADCs

Compensation Overview

$150k - $170k/yr

San Diego, CA, USA

In Person

Master's, PhD

Category
Biology & Biotech (1)
Required Skills
Quality Assurance (QA)

Get referred to Abzena

See people who can refer or advise you

Requirements
  • PhD or MS in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in biopharma MSAT or technical operations, with a focus on ADC and/or AOC processes
Responsibilities
  • Adhere to all GDP, GLP, and cGMP requirements as well as Abzena policies, procedures, and mission while fulfilling duties, responsibilities, and tasks.
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of USP, 21 CFR, and ICH guidelines applicable to bioconjugation and cGMP manufacturing.
  • Serve as the MSAT subject matter expert (SME) for bioconjugation processes including ADCs and AOCs across early development through commercial lifecycle stages.
  • Provide technical leadership for technology transfer from internal or external process development teams into cGMP manufacturing, including facility fit assessments, scale up planning, and risk assessments.
  • Lead technology transfer of bioconjugation processes into cGMP manufacturing from internal teams and external development partners.
  • Author and revise cGMP batch records and master batch production documents for early phase, late phase, and commercial programs.
  • Draft and maintain cGMP documentation, including BOMs, specifications, SOPs, technology transfer documents, PFDs, and P and IDs, as required to support execution and readiness.
  • Lead or support process investigations, deviations, CAPAs, and root cause analysis related to conjugation, UF/DF, and chromatography operations.
  • Provide in-person and real-time manufacturing production support required for project success.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to process robustness, documentation, and manufacturing efficiency. Including compatibility and assembly strategy for single use components, including connector selection, weld and seal parameters, and failure modes. Drive assembly standardization across programs to reduce execution risk.
  • High potency and containment alignment, translate OEB controls into practical manufacturing requirements for equipment, PPE, waste, and cleaning. Lead cross functional reviews with EHS, Facilities, and QA for campaign readiness
  • Technical training and knowledge management. Develop training content for new processes, new equipment, and new batch record revisions. Maintain a living knowledge package per program, including lessons learned, known failure modes, and standard responses.
  • Design and implement process characterization, scale-up, and control strategies in collaboration with PD, Manufacturing, and QA/QC teams.
  • Maintain a strong working knowledge of cGMP raw materials, consumables, assemblies, in-process materials, designs, and part numbers to complete detailed cGMP records.
  • Participate in or lead PPQ campaigns, including planning, execution support, and regulatory documentation contributions.
  • Control strategy ownership, define and maintain the process control strategy, including CPP setpoints, acceptable ranges, sampling plans, and in-process controls.
  • Support regulatory inspections, client audits, and due diligence activities as the MSAT technical lead for assigned programs.
  • Contribute to cross-functional project teams to deliver clinical and commercial batches of bioconjugates on time and within scope.
  • Demonstrates technical proficiency, scientific creativity, and collaboration with others.
  • Operate to the highest ethical and moral standards.
  • Ability to multi-task, supporting multiple projects simultaneously ensuring all deadlines are on budget and on time.
  • Discuss and present manufacturing campaign data and analysis to internal project teams and respective clients
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • This is a senior level individual contributor position with future plans to expand into a manager level MSAT role with oversight of Bioconjugation technology transfers.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with CDMOs
  • Experience with high-potency APIs and handling OEB 4–5 level materials.
  • Familiarity with process validation (PPQ), commercial tech transfer, and lifecycle management.
  • Understanding of ICH, FDA, and EMA regulatory expectations for complex biologics and bioconjugates.

Abzena is a CDMO that provides integrated services for complex biologics and bioconjugates, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). It supports projects from antibody discovery through GMP manufacturing for clinical trials and commercial supply, using its in-house platforms and expertise. It differentiates itself with end-to-end development and manufacturing capabilities, supported by proprietary technologies like ThioBridge and Composite Human Antibody, and global facilities in San Diego, Bristol, and Cambridge. Its goal is to help biologics programs progress efficiently from discovery to market by offering specialized, partnered development and manufacturing services and potential licensing of its technologies.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Babraham, United Kingdom

Founded

2001

Get referred to Abzena

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Frost Sullivan named Abzena a 2026 leader, strengthening sales credibility with big pharma.
  • Tasrif and Promatix wins in July 2026 validate Abzena’s platforms and partnership pipeline.
  • Onshoring demand is rising, and Abzena’s U.S.-UK footprint fits supply-chain diversification.

What critics are saying

  • Abzena still depends on volatile biotech funding cycles and client program wins in 2026.
  • Headcount fell from 530 in 2023 to 500 in March 2026, signaling efficiency pressure.
  • A single major CMC failure or FDA inspection gap could crush trust and trigger customer exits.

What makes Abzena unique

  • Abzena won Frost Radar ADC leadership on March 17, 2026 for ThioBridge and integration.
  • Its Bristol, Pennsylvania, and San Diego sites combine discovery, bioconjugation, and GMP manufacturing.
  • Abzena’s CHAb and AbZelectPRO platforms deepen customer lock-in across biologics and bioconjugates.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

0%
Abzena
Jul 15th, 2026
Outsourced Pharma capability Update - Cell Line Development June 2026.

Outsourced Pharma capability Update - Cell Line Development June 2026. Early cell line decisions define everything that comes after: yield, stability, manufacturability, and timelines. That's why Abzena PLC presented at the Outsourced Pharma Capabilities Update on June 16th, which is focused on Cell Line Development strategies. Abzena's VP & Scientific Leader of Cell Line Development, John E. Gill IV, presented a talk on "Integrated Cell Line Development: Manufacturability to GMP-Ready by Design." John broke down how a truly integrated approach, one built with GMP readiness and manufacturability in mind from day one, changes the trajectory of complex biologic programs. The result: - Accelerated timelines to GMP - Reduced downstream risk - Cell lines engineered to meet GMP standards, not retrofitted to them - A smoother, faster path from discovery to clinical & commercial manufacturing When GMP readiness is designed in from the start, not added later, programs don't stall. They move forward faster.

Abzena
Mar 17th, 2026
Frost radar report: Antibody-Drug Conjugate contract development & manufacturing organizations.

Frost radar report: Antibody-Drug Conjugate contract development & manufacturing organizations. Abzena is recognized as a technology-forward, innovative CDMO in the Frost radar(tm): ADC contract development and manufacturing report, 2025. In this comprehensive analysis of the Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) market, global research analysts Frost & Sullivan, an independent firm, evaluated leading service providers and recognized Abzena as a Leader in both Innovation and Growth. As the author of the report, Unmesh Lal, VP of Healthcare & Life Sciences at Frost & Sullivan, shared, "With deep analytical expertise, flexible licensing models, and a dual US-UK footprint, Abzena combines scientific rigor with commercial agility. Its 'grow-with-the-client' strategy is converting early-stage partnerships into long-term manufacturing relationships, solidifying its position as a premier end-to-end CDMO for complex biologics." * How Abzena's proprietary ThioBridge(R) site-specific conjugation platform improves the design & delivery of ADCs. * How a fully integrated end-to-end development and manufacturing model eliminates tech-transfer risks and reduces timelines & costs. * How assay development for complex ADC & AOC characterization provides the data needed to de-risk clinical programs & build confidence with regulators and investors * How a dual US and UK integrated footprint provides a secure supply chain and deep FDA and EMA regulatory expertise.

Clinical Research News
Sep 16th, 2025
Abzena Enhances AbZelectPRO(TM) Cell Line Offering with New GS Knockout Platforms

Abzena enhances abzelectpro(tm) cell line offering with new GS knockout platforms san diego, CA - september 15, 2025 - abzena, the leading end-to-end integrated CDMO for complex biologics and bioconjugates, announced the expansion of its abzelectpro(tm) cell line development (CLD) platform with the launch of two next-generation glutamine synthetase ("GS") knockout CHO-K1 expression systems, including a double knockout ADCC+ platform for afucosylated proteins.

Bio-IT World
Jul 22nd, 2025
Appointment; Abzena Appoints Geoffrey M. Glass as Chief Executive Officer

San Diego, CA - July 22, 2025 - Abzena, the leading end-to-end integrated CDMO + CRO for complex biologics and bioconjugates, today announced that Geoffrey M. Glass has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.

PR Newswire
May 15th, 2025
Abzena Announces Establishment Of Scientific Advisory Board To Support Innovation Strategy

SAN DIEGO, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abzena, the leading end-to-end integrated CDMO + CRO for complex biologics and bioconjugates, has announced today the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of biopharma industry experts with diversified expertise in Discovery Research & Development (R&D) and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC). The new advisory board will work closely with Abzena's scientific and commercial leadership to provide strategic guidance and expert insights that support Abzena's continued commitment to growth and innovation.Matt Stober, CEO of Abzena, said, "The establishment of the Scientific Advisory Board was a strategic decision to help guide the future of Abzena. We have seen considerable momentum over the past few years in supporting complex and innovative modalities, such as Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), Antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), and bispecifics. We aim to continue building upon this by offering the most state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities to support our customers' programs. These experts will be instrumental in assisting us with this mission by evaluating our strategies and providing recommendations that will further enhance our ability to move medicines forward to patients faster."Joe Principe, CCO of Abzena, said, "We are honored to welcome these distinguished individuals to our Scientific Advisory Board. These founding members are recognized leaders in our industry, bringing a wealth of expertise that will help guide us as we continue through this significant phase of our growth