Careers
About ATUM: ATUM has a 20+ year history of innovation, headquartered in California. ATUM provides contract research and development services for biologics drug discovery and development. Our scope of service spans sequence optimization through cell line development. We use advanced AI, machine-learning and proprietary algorithms to de-risk and accelerate time-to-market for biologics.
Open Positions
Business Development Manager
Position Overview & Core Focus
We are seeking a high-energy, scientifically driven Business Development Manager to expand our market footprint and champion customer success within a defined US territory. In this role, you won’t just sell services—you will act as a strategic, consultative partner to scientists and procurement teams in the biologics space.
You will lead the entire sales lifecycle: prospecting new accounts, nurturing high-value leads, and managing existing portfolios to secure long-term, high-impact partnerships. This role requires a unique blend of deep scientific fluency and an entrepreneurial commercial mindset.
Key Responsibilities
Territory Growth & Prospecting: Identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities primarily within biologics-based therapeutics, cell line development, and protein engineering markets.
Account Management & Client Advocacy: Manage and scale existing accounts, serving as the primary commercial point of contact and internal advocate to ensure flawless project execution and client satisfaction.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with ATUM Technical Leads and Operations teams to translate complex scientific requirements into innovative client solutions.
Market Presence: Represent ATUM at key industry trade shows, conferences, and frequent on-site client meetings to increase brand awareness and expand your professional network.
Sales Pipeline Management: Maintain accurate forecasting, track territory performance metrics, and build a sustainable long-term sales pipeline.
Qualifications & Experience
Experience: 5+ years of proven sales or business development experience within the biotech industry, preferably representing CRO/CDMO services or protein science organizations.
Education: B.S. required; M.S. or Ph.D. strongly preferred in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Protein Chemistry, or a closely related life science discipline.
Technical Fluency: Strong background or foundational knowledge in Cell Line Development (CLD) and/or Protein Engineering is highly preferred. Must be able to speak “peer-to-peer” with industry scientists.
Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated success in prospecting, managing complex sales cycles, negotiating agreements, and maintaining high client retention rates.
Soft Skills: Exceptional interpersonal communication, strong time management, and a highly collaborative spirit wrapped in an independent, self-motivated drive.
Travel: Ability to travel routinely for client meetings, industry trade shows, and regular visits to ATUM headquarters in California.
What We Offer (Benefits)
Cutting-Edge Portfolio: Sell a highly differentiated platform powered by next-generation AI and machine-learning technologies.
Career Growth: Direct visibility and excellent upward mobility pathways within a rapidly expanding company.
Competitive Compensation: Robust base salary, an attractive performance-based incentive/commission structure and a comprehensive benefits package.
Senior Director of Program Management
ATUM is a leader in cell line development, gene synthesis, and protein engineering. We are seeking a strategic Director of Program Management to spearhead our customer-facing project portfolio. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on bridging the gap between complex scientific execution and world-class client service. The Director will lead and mentor a high-performing team of Project Managers and act as a critical partner for our executive-level clients to ensure every project exceeds rigorous scientific and commercial standards.
Core Responsibilities
- Strategic Portfolio Management: oversee a full suite of services—from gene synthesis to protein design to cell line development—to ensure alignment with corporate revenue and growth objectives.
- Operational Leadership: establish and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and project management frameworks to improve efficiency and maintain customer service standards.
- People Management & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and scale a team of Project Managers, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and scientific excellence.
- High-Level Risk Mitigation: identify systemic bottlenecks across projects (e.g., resource shortages, deviations from expected results) and implement enterprise-level solutions.
- Financial Accountability: support portfolio-wide budget/profitability analysis and financial forecasting across all service lines.
- Client communication: ensure transparent and timely communication providing regular updates, managing expectations, and facilitating communication between the sponsor and scientific teams.
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the long-term vision for the Project Management department, aligning operational workflows with ATUM’s overarching commercial business goals.
Qualifications
- Education: An advanced degree (PhD or MS) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Biotechnology to provide technical oversight of complex scientific activities.
- Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in a CRO or pharmaceutical setting, with a minimum of 7 years in a dedicated project management leadership role.
- Certifications: Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or PgMP (Program Management Professional) are highly recommended.
- Skills: Expert-level proficiency in managing cross-functional matrix teams, strategic planning, and navigating complex client-contract relationships.
- Soft Skills: Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Tools: Familiarity with project management software and data management systems.
Why ATUM?
- Innovative Environment: Be at the forefront of the next-gen biotech revolution in Quantitative Biology.
- Culture of Excellence: Enjoy a collaborative atmosphere with excellent growth opportunities.
- Perks & Benefits: Free daily catered lunch, comprehensive health benefits, PTO, and a 401(k) with a Safe Harbor plan.
Compensation Range: $170K – $200K
Gene Synthesis Research Associate
Looking to grow your experience in a great company that is truly employee-centric? Here’s the opportunity to work with a collaborative team with excellent growth potential! ATUM is looking for a new member for our Gene Synthesis Large Scale DNA Purification Group.
ATUM is the leading bioengineering solutions provider, offering an integrated pipeline of solutions including gene design, optimization and synthesis, expression vectors, and platforms for protein and strain engineering. ATUM explores novel applications for synthetic genes and the synergy between efficient gene design and protein optimization technologies. ATUM’s tools and solutions are fueling the transformation of biology from a discovery science to an engineering discipline. For more information about us visit www.atum.bio.
This entry-level position is within our production group. The work includes following standard operating procedures for using automated liquid handling stations, interfacing with our in-house database, providing support in various lab functions, and interacting with our bioinformatics department.
Job Functions:
- Scale up of bacterial cell culture
- Purification of DNA plasmid
- Restriction Digest of DNA
- Work with automated liquid handlers
- Seal/unseal plates for loading/unloading on automated carousels
- Use micropipettes for accurate liquid transfers
- Monitor multiple processes with different start times in parallel
- Communicate regularly with downstream team on process status
- Maintain, order and stock supplies
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology
- Flexible and adaptive behavior and ability to thrive in a high growth environment
- Possess excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills
- Are able to complete tasks under strict deadlines
- Are comfortable working in a fast-paced setting while retaining impeccable organizational skills
Schedule:
- Position will require weekend work
- Training schedule will be Monday-Friday 6:00am-2:00pm
- Weekend schedule will be Tuesday-Saturday 6:00am-2:00pm
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the ability to frequently and repetitively move and/or pour a minimum of 5lbs (up to 25lbs may occasionally be required) as well as other physical activities, including:
- Constantly opening and closing lab receptacles, including removing and adhering plate seals, twisting caps, lifting lids.
- Occasionally ascending/descending a ladder to retrieve lab supplies.
- Constantly positioning self to pour or pipette reagents used for the lab process, including large and small volumes.
Benefits
- Excellent 100% employer-funded benefit package, generous PTO, Holidays, and more!
- Free catered lunch (Monday-Friday)
- 401(k), Safe Harbor plan and employer-matching retirement plans
We encourage qualified veterans to apply.
Phone calls not accepted.
EOE
Compensation: $33 per hour
Associate Scientist, Bioproduction
Associate Scientist, Bioproduction Newark, CA | Full-Time
ATUM is a leading bioengineering solution provider transforming discovery science into a rigorous engineering discipline. We are seeking an experienced Upstream Bioprocess Associate Scientist to join our Bioproduction unit. This is a pivotal role where you will execute bioreactor scale-up processes, supporting the journey from synthetic gene design to large-scale protein production. While we utilize high-throughput systems, this role focuses heavily on the engineering and execution of larger-scale production runs.
Key Responsibilities
- Bioreactor Operations: Lead the setup, inoculation, and maintenance of suspension culture bioreactors (ranging from 3L to 50L).
- Process Engineering: Monitor and optimize critical parameters including pH, DO, mass flow settings, and agitation strategies to ensure successful scale-up.
- Seed Train & Maintenance: Perform seed train operations within a BSC and manage media preparation, probe calibrations, and glassware sterilization.
- Harvest & Analytics: Execute harvest operations and end-of-run tasks; operate and maintain analytical suite (e.g., Vi-CELL, NovaFlex2).
- Collaboration: Partner with the Scientist team to troubleshoot runs and translate bench-scale successes into robust production protocols.
Qualifications
- Education: BS/MS in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field (1–3 years of industry experience required).
- Bioprocess Expertise: Proven track record in upstream process development and experience with larger-scale glass or disposable bioreactors.
- Preferred Systems: Experience with ambr®15 and ambr®250 systems is not required but is highly desired.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous record-keeping and a high standard for lab documentation.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills with a “team-first” mindset and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements & Availability
- Must be able to perform standard lab movements (pipetting, pouring reagents, handling up to 25lbs).
- Flexibility to work a Sunday–Thursday or Tuesday–Saturday schedule to align with bioreactor cycles.
Why ATUM?
- Innovative Environment: Be at the forefront of the next-gen biotech revolution in Quantitative Biology.
- Culture of Excellence: Enjoy a collaborative atmosphere with excellent growth opportunities.
- Perks & Benefits: Free daily catered lunch, comprehensive health benefits, PTO, and a 401(k) with a Safe Harbor plan.
Compensation: $85K-$95K, DOE