Scientist
solenis
Scientist
pilgrim· Science
About this role
About Pilgrim:
Pilgrim develops and deploys advanced biotechnology for defense and national security. Our primary platform, ARGUS, is a fully autonomous system for detecting biological threats in near real time, from naturally occurring pathogens to engineered agents.
Pilgrim is not a research institute or academic lab - we move beyond theory, transforming breakthrough science into decisive capabilities. Located in Redwood City, our team pairs mechanical and electrical engineering with chemistry and biology to put critical technologies into the hands of the people who need them.
About the Role:
As a Scientist at Pilgrim, you will develop and validate the biological workflows at the core of our products. You will move between hands-on bench work and system integration, designing experiments, troubleshooting failure modes, and refining protocols. Your work will span genomics, microbiology, and molecular assay development, and you will partner closely with engineers to translate scientific advances into integrated systems that perform reliably in the real world.
Responsibilities
Own the development and optimization of nucleic acid-based assays and sample-preparation workflows.
Build and refine methods for lysis, nucleic acid extraction, purification, concentration, amplification, and sequencing preparation, maximizing recovery of low-abundance targets from complex environmental samples.
Design and validate primer and probe sets for sensitive, specific target detection.
Design and run experiments that expose failure modes and improve sensitivity, specificity, recovery, reproducibility, and limit of detection.
Stress-test assays against real-world variation, including sample matrix, temperature, reagent age, contamination, and carryover.
Translate manual bench protocols into automated workflows that run reliably on integrated hardware.
Develop assays under appropriate design-control and quality practices, producing the documentation and traceability required for regulatory submissions, customer review, and audits.
Qualifications
Deep understanding of biology, biochemistry, or a related life science, with a demonstrated ability to design, develop, and troubleshoot experiments. An advanced degree (MS, PhD) is a plus, but not required.
Hands-on experience developing nucleic acid-based assays and sample-preparation workflows.
Advanced command of standard wet-lab equipment, instrumentation, and molecular biology techniques.
Strong experimental judgment, attention to detail, and ability to interpret imperfect or conflicting data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the salary disclosed for the Scientist position at pilgrim?
The salary for this Scientist role at pilgrim is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Scientist position at pilgrim located?
This Scientist role at pilgrim is based in Redwood City, CA. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Scientist role at pilgrim full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a FullTime position. It is posted as a Scientist role in the Science department at pilgrim.
Which team or department does the Scientist at pilgrim belong to?
This Scientist position is part of the Science department at pilgrim. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Scientist position at pilgrim?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to pilgrim's official application portal hosted on ashby where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Scientist job at pilgrim posted?
This Scientist position at pilgrim was posted on Jul 24, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Scientist
pilgrim
You'll be redirected to pilgrim's official application page on Ashby ATS.