POSITION SUMMARY:

Join Natera’s Therapeutics & Innovations group as a Senior Agentic Systems Engineer to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) orchestration platforms. You will design, scale, and deploy generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Model (LLM) agentic systems that leverage our multimodal data to advance therapeutic development. Every sample and data point represents a real person, and the data foundations you build will directly support clinical insights and scientific innovation. As the platform matures, you will own cross-product agent integration and the development of new specialist tools.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Architect, implement, and maintain AI agent orchestration platforms, spanning multi-agent delegation, session management, and streaming interfaces
• Design and build Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers that expose domain-specific capabilities as composable tools
• Implement rigorous security and isolation boundaries, including sandboxed code execution, scoped permissions, Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) workflows, and tenant-aware data access
• Deploy and operate containerized services on AWS using Terraform, optimizing for cost, reliability, and observability based on data
• Think team by partnering directly with ML engineers, data engineers, and product teams to integrate specialist agents without needing translation layers
• Own and advance technical solutions from concept to deployment, pressure-testing assumptions and closing gaps without waiting for a finished playbook
• Use data to root-cause and resolve complex issues across agent orchestration, infrastructure, and LLM providers in a distributed environment
• Write precise, tested Python code, treating quality and reliability as foundational standards rather than an afterthought

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/MS in Computer Science or a related field
• 5+ years of production software engineering experience, with a significant focus on backend systems, platform engineering, or infrastructure

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Advanced proficiency in Python, writing maintainable, production-quality code
• Direct experience building AI agentic systems in production, including tool calling, multi-agent orchestration, or autonomous task execution
• Deep familiarity with the generative AI ecosystem, including Large Language Models (LLM), orchestration frameworks, MCP, memory strategies, and execution sandboxing
• Hands-on experience with AWS cloud infrastructure, containerized services, and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
• Clear understanding of security and isolation in environments where AI agents execute code or access sensitive, regulated data
• Ability to articulate technical tradeoffs clearly to cross-functional stakeholders using data
• Operate with a 'build vs. buy' mindset to scale capabilities rapidly without compromising on precision
• Background in biotech, healthcare, or regulated multi-tenant data environments is preferred

POSITION SUMMARY:

Lead translational functional validation for Natera’s Therapeutics & Innovations group. You will direct external Contract Research Organization (CRO) and academic partnerships to advance our immuno-oncology therapies, generating the decision-enabling data needed to move from pre-clinical research to clinical impact. Every sample represents a real person, and the data you generate will directly shape therapeutic development. While initial work relies on external partners, you will evaluate the 'build vs. buy' roadmap and take ownership of building Natera’s internal translational research capabilities over time.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the external pre-clinical research model, leading CRO and academic partnerships for functional validation, including immunogenicity, Mechanism of Action (MOA), and T-cell assays
• Define experimental strategies, frameworks, and govern partner performance through rigorous statements of work (SOWs) and budgets; use data to identify risks and take ownership of corrective actions
• Direct immune functional assays and lead the experimental validation of targets and biomarkers identified by AI/ML platforms using patient-derived samples
• Incorporate high-throughput screening to validate drug-target interactions, ensuring data packages meet internal, regulatory, and clinical translation standards
• Think team by partnering directly with R&D, Clinical Development, and Regulatory to align assay outputs with milestones without needing translation layers
• Build a scalable external network across immunology and tumor biology while developing a long-term roadmap to establish an internal wet-lab engine
• Deliver unvarnished, data-backed updates to leadership, translating complex results into direct, actionable program recommendations
• Mentor scientific staff and contractors, fostering a rigorous, outcome-focused culture as the function scales

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• PhD (or equivalent) in Immunology, Biology, Pharmacology, or a related field, with 8+ years of post-graduate experience in biotech, pharma, or translational academic settings; or an MS with 12+ years of directly relevant experience
• Proven track record of managing complex external research programs and building translational research capabilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  

• Deep expertise in immuno-oncology, immune functional assays, and mechanistic evaluation
• Experience with high-dimensional data (e.g., single-cell sequencing) to validate AI-driven insights
• Proven track record leading externalized R&D through CROs, managing governance, experimental design, and milestone delivery
• Strong project management capabilities spanning scoping, budgeting, and risk management across parallel studies
• Experience with assay development, transfer, and reproducibility best practices, treating quality as a standard
• Clear communication skills to influence cross-functional teams and external partners
• Operate without a finished playbook, applying an ownership mindset to build or buy capabilities as the science dictates
• Expertise in neoantigen biology, antigen presentation validation, or tumor model systems is preferred

#LI-DNI

About Natera Therapeutics & Innovations

Natera’s Therapeutics & Innovations group is at the forefront of applying AI, genomics, and multimodal data to transform precision medicine. From building genomic foundation models to developing predictive AI platforms, our mission is to accelerate biomarker discovery, improve clinical trial design, and enable novel personalized therapeutics.

We are seeking a highly adaptable Senior Manager/Associate Director of Strategy & Operations to serve as a central support function across the Therapeutics & Innovations team. This individual will act as a force multiplier, helping drive alignment, execution, and visibility across a diverse set of initiatives spanning partnerships, strategy, market intelligence, and cross-functional programs.

This is a generalist role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, can operate across multiple workstreams, and is comfortable stepping in wherever support is needed to keep the organization moving forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Cross-Functional Program Support: Support leadership in coordinating across R&D, Product, Medical Affairs, and Commercial by tracking key initiatives, maintaining alignment, and ensuring follow-through across workstreams.
  

• Market & Competitive Intelligence: Monitor industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities in AI, genomics, and therapeutics to inform internal decision-making.
  

• Business Operations: Establish and maintain operating rhythms, including tracking priorities, managing deliverables, and providing visibility into progress across the team.
  

• Strategic Support: Support the development and execution of strategic initiatives, including internal planning, external opportunities, and leadership-driven special projects.
  

• External Engagement Support: Support conference and stakeholder engagements through material development, coordination, and follow-up, while capturing key insights to inform internal strategy.
  

• Partnership Support: Support partnership efforts through coordination, materials preparation, internal alignment, and tracking of next steps across stakeholders.
  

• Ad Hoc Problem Solving: Step into high-priority or ambiguous problems and provide structured thinking, analysis, and execution support as needed.
  

• Communication & Coordination: Ensure clear communication, alignment, and follow-through across teams by connecting stakeholders and tracking key actions.

Qualifications

• 4–7+ years of experience in strategy, business operations, consulting, business development, or related roles within life sciences, healthcare, or technology.
  

• Experience supporting partnership, strategy, or cross-functional initiatives, with exposure to external collaborations, or strategic planning.
  

• Scientific understanding of oncology, immunology, or related therapeutic areas.
  

• Familiarity with AI/ML in life sciences and its application to discovery and clinical development.
  

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive follow-through across stakeholders.
  

• Strong analytical and structured thinking capabilities, with attention to detail and the ability to break down ambiguous problems.
  

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
  

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, or equivalent) preferred; strong scientific literacy required.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to contribute to high-impact work at the intersection of AI, genomics, and therapeutic development, while supporting the execution of key initiatives across strategy, partnerships, and cross-functional teams. You’ll be part of a fast-moving team working on some of the most important challenges in precision medicine.