Senior Scientist / Engineer: Transplantation, Biopreservation & Bioengineering

Key Role:

Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment as a Senior Scientist / Engineer supporting the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) across a portfolio spanning transplantation, organ and tissue preservation, engineered tissues, organoids and microphysiological systems (MPS), and advanced therapeutic manufacturing. Collaborate with the ARPA-H Program Manager and team to effectuate bold research initiatives; support the development, funding, and management of new and existing R&D programs; and help the agency accelerate better health outcomes for everyone. Provide direct technical support to R&D performer teams, Government Program Managers, and stakeholders across the health innovation ecosystem.

Bring deep technical expertise in transplantation and/or regenerative medicine, and apply it to emerging technologies in the context of clinical workflow, manufacturability, regulatory constraints, and real-world implementation. Provide technical and strategic support across programs related to tissue and organoid manufacturing, microphysiological systems and organ-on-chip platforms, tissue and organ preservation and biopreservation (including hypothermic and normothermic preservation, supercooling, cryopreservation, and vitrification), ex vivo organ perfusion and diagnostics, and other translational technologies relevant to organ and tissue recovery, preservation, and transplantation.

Evaluate technologies in the context of clinical and operational realities, including donor tissue and organ recovery, preservation logistics and cold-chain constraints, perfusion-enabled assessment and intervention, and transplant-center workflow. Conduct landscape analyses and technical diligence on emerging capabilities, vendors, performers, and scientific trends, and advise on the scientific plausibility, translational feasibility, manufacturability, and adoption potential of proposed approaches. Assess the commercialization pathway alongside the science: scale-up and manufacturability, quality systems and GMP considerations, regulatory strategy, reimbursement context, supply chain, and the clinical adoption barriers that determine whether a technology reaches patients.

Provide insight into how innovations may intersect with the broader transplant ecosystem, including organ procurement organizations, transplant centers, tissue banks, and applicable federal regulators and stakeholders. Review and assess technical proposals, performer submissions, milestones, deliverables, and program risks. Provide feedback, organize reviewer comments, and draft recommendations, project summaries, and presentation materials. Help identify subject-matter experts, potential performers, test and evaluation partners, and transition stakeholders across academia, industry, clinical practice, and government. Assist in program management functions, including preparing for technical meetings, conducting site visits, consolidating performer progress, identifying schedule risks, and creating briefing materials. Maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, regulatory, and market developments.

Strong client or customer engagement is required in this role. You will interface directly and continuously with the Government Program Manager, Mission Office leadership, performer teams, and external stakeholders across the transplant and bioengineering communities — and are expected to represent Intertwine Associates and the client with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgment at every touchpoint. This is a remote position with approximately 10-20% CONUS travel.

Basic Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field: PhD in physiology, systems biology, bioengineering, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, or a related discipline; or MD with significant experience in transplantation, organ preservation, transplant surgery, transplant medicine, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in one or more of the following: organ preservation, ex vivo organ perfusion and diagnostics, transplant biology, regenerative medicine, translational bioengineering.
• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate technical data, experimental plans, and development pathways.
• Experience synthesizing complex scientific information into concise written and visual products for decision support.
• Experience supporting complex R&D efforts involving academic, clinical, and/or industrial stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to translate between basic science, engineering development, and clinical or transplant operational realities.
• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, both internally and externally with members of the public.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, and to prioritize work.
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and proactive.
• Strong work ethic and a passion for healthcare and scientific discovery.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required per contract.
• Active federal government Public Trust, or the ability to obtain one.

Additional Qualifications:

• Direct experience in transplantation, including clinical, translational, or operational work related to donor organ recovery, preservation, allocation, or implantation.
• Experience working in or with: HRSA, OPTN/UNOS, organ procurement organizations (OPOs), transplant centers, tissue banks or organ recovery networks or programs involving cross-sector coordination.
• Familiarity with the practical and policy dimensions of the U.S. transplant ecosystem.
• Experience with organ perfusion technologies for assessment, preservation, repair, or treatment of donor organs.
• Experience with biopreservation approaches, including hypothermic and normothermic preservation, supercooling, cryopreservation, vitrification, and cold-chain logistics.
• Experience with engineered tissues, organoids, organ-on-chip or microphysiological systems (MPS), biofabrication, or advanced therapeutic manufacturing.
• Experience with translational and commercialization challenges, including manufacturability, quality systems, reimbursement context, regulatory considerations, and clinical adoption barriers.
• At least one year of experience supporting DARPA or related federal “ARPA” agencies (IARPA, ARPA-E, HSARPA, ARPA-H).
• Experience supporting a federal or commercial health agency or organization.
• Knowledge of the biomedical research landscape.
• Two or more years of experience in federal healthcare and/or scientific consulting.

Intertwine Associates LLC – Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Intertwine Associates LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Employment decisions at Intertwine Associates LLC are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We comply with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and strive to ensure that our workplace reflects the values of fairness, equity, and opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected status. We also prohibit retaliation against individuals who report discrimination, participate in investigations, or otherwise exercise their rights under equal employment laws.

Intertwine Associates LLC is proud to support the mission of our clients, including U.S. Federal Government agencies, by providing exceptional technical talent and services. As such, certain roles may require U.S. citizenship or specific security clearances in accordance with federal contract requirements.

Compensation, Bonuses, and Other Incentives:

Intertwine Associates LLC offers a competitive compensation package. The anticipated base salary range for this position is $90,000-$220,000 per year. This range is a good-faith estimate at the time of posting and reflects the base salary the company reasonably expects to offer for this role. Actual base salary will be determined based on lawful, job-related factors, including education, experience, specialized expertise, credentials, geographic location, scope of responsibilities, internal equity, client and contract requirements, and funding availability.

This position may be eligible for discretionary bonuses, signing or retention incentives, or other variable compensation, as stated in the applicable written offer or plan documents. Any bonus or incentive is not guaranteed and is subject to applicable plan terms, individual and company performance, client or contract requirements, funding availability, and applicable law. Bonuses and other incentives are separate from base salary and may be modified or discontinued. The salary range does not include potential bonuses, other incentive compensation, or benefits. Nothing in this posting creates an employment contract or guarantees any specific salary, bonus, incentive, benefit, or term of employment.