Life at Lyell

Colorful geometric circular illustration with orange, purple, and teal.

Breaking down barriers for patients suffering from cancer is what brings us together.

We are overcoming obstacles and working to establish new standards in the treatment of cancer using living cells. Doing this work is our passion. What keeps us here is being a part of a team of collaborative, caring individuals.

We are driven by our shared purpose — to give people with cancer and their loved ones the gift of time. We are united in our mission to advance next‑generation cell therapies for patients with cancer.

What makes us unique is the breadth of work we do. From discovery research to drug development and manufacturing, we are a high-performing team across our many functions. Lyell provides the opportunity to see first-hand how cell therapy is brought to life and contribute to this important work.

Job Openings

Employee Experience

Inclusion, Collaboration, and Excellence

As a recognized great place to work, we are proud that our employees say they feel welcomed at Lyell and they are able to actively contribute given that diverse perspectives are valued.

The unique perspectives and strengths of our team unlock solutions and help us achieve our goals. We are a nimble organization, leveraging collaboration and partnership to get things done with a sense of urgency — we know patients are waiting.

Accountability is a hallmark of our Talent Philosophy. Lyellites are proud of the work we do and are committed to optimizing and improving to drive ever greater outcomes for patients.

Our Values

We are a culture of imagination and achievement, grounded in science, infused with courage, and powered by respect and collaboration.

Science

We value evidence over opinion
We focus and execute on the critical efforts that matter most.

Courage

We challenge the status quo
We are bold and willing to think and act differently.

Respect

We operate with positive intent
We seek to understand and communicate directly, transparently, and honestly.

Collaboration

We work together to create value
We work across teams to solve our most challenging problems, work efficiently, and to continually improve and learn.

A man and a woman in lab coats working at a computer.

Creating Community

We are a vibrant community, making a difference in the places where we live and work.

Our employee-led initiatives — inclusion, engagement, and volunteerism — help build an active workplace that encourages involvement, relationship building, and service to others.

At Lyell, inclusion is more than a stated commitment. It is a framework for how we learn about each other, our different perspectives, and identify ways of working that make Lyell a place where we can all do our best work.

Volunteerism is embedded in our culture. We give back to our communities in ways that keep us connected and energized, including a month-long April celebration dedicated to volunteer hours.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of competitive benefits and perks to help employees thrive. Our benefits are designed to support employees and their families at every stage of life.

We regularly collect insights from our employees and industry benchmarking data to drive meaningful improvements to our employee benefit program and offerings.

Health & Wellness

Health Plans

Lyell offers a choice of comprehensive medical plans, including a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), along with premium dental and vision coverage designed to provide flexibility and high-quality care for our employees.

Lyell pays up to 100% of premiums for employees and 85% for their spouses or registered domestic partners and eligible dependent children enrolled in the medical, dental, and vision plans.

Vacation and Sick Pay

At Lyell we support work-life balance by giving employees the freedom to take time away as needed for rest, personal matters, or to recharge. Paid sick time is provided so employees can focus on their health and recovery without added stress.

Wellness Benefits

Lyell believes in empowering its employees to be their best selves. Our benefits are focused on total well-being with a wellness program that supports mental health, physical fitness, and financial wellness goals.

Financial

Retirement Savings

At Lyell, we help our employees save for their future by matching a portion of their 401(k) contributions — adding to their retirement savings and supporting their long-term financial well-being.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

The Lyell ESPP gives employees the opportunity to purchase company stock at a 15% discount, allowing them to invest in the company’s success and build long-term financial value.

Commuter Program

We offer a company-sponsored monthly commuter benefit to help offset the cost of getting to the office, making daily commutes more affordable.

Life and Disability

We provide company sponsored life insurance, along with short and long-term disability coverage, to help protect employees and their families by offering financial support in the event of illness, injury, or unexpected loss.

FSA and HSA Options

We offer both a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA), giving employees tax-advantaged ways to pay for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Hear from some of our determined,
purpose-driven team members about
Life at Lyell

It is extremely rewarding to be a part of the work we are doing, and to be absolutely surrounded by so many people who care so much about the patients we are helping. Lyell is really a business that truly feels like patients are at the epicenter not just on paper but in action as well.

Kim Bartlett

Associate II, Technical Operations

Cancer impacts everyone, and to be part of such an important endeavor and ambitious mission is truly motivating. This is why I joined Lyell, and it is why I continue to be inspired to come to work every day. Being part of giving someone the extra gift of time is so heartwarming, and it doesn’t just impact the individual dealing with cancer but all of their friends and family.

Ryan Smith

Director, Procurement

What motivates me to come to work every day is the chance to change lives in the most meaningful way. Cancer doesn’t just affect patients. It affects their families, their friends, and every moment they share together. Being part of something that can help give someone more time with the people they love is so powerful. Knowing that our efforts could give someone another holiday or another birthday with their family keeps me motivated. It reminds me that the work we do here goes beyond the science. It’s about hope and the chance to make a real difference!

Krystal McIntyre

Lead Associate, Quality Control

Lyell’s journey has been a whirlwind full of opportunities to harness experience, teamwork and passion as we aim to create effective and durable cell therapy treatments for those in great need.

Sukwhinder Schaeffer

Research Associate II

Locations

Located on the West Coast, we have three locations in the life sciences hubs of South San Francisco, California, and the Greater Seattle, Washington area.

We offer a dynamic culture in each of our offices, with collaboration spaces, state-of-the-art labs, and best-in-class technologies. We maintain in-office collaboration days and weekly lunches to ensure we are harnessing the power of being together. Our facilities are designed to inspire and support our employees.

Lyell South San Francisco office building.

South San Francisco, CA

The South San Francisco, CA, office is our corporate headquarters and central location for research staff.

Seattle, WA

The Seattle, WA, office is located in South Lake Union and is home to employees in functions including clinical development, research, finance, legal, and process sciences.

Bothell, WA

The Bothell, WA, LyFE facility is our state-of-the-art cell manufacturing facility that has been approved for clinical and commercial production.

Join Us

We are committed to hiring people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, because we recognize that their individuality is key to delivering breakthrough products. As we seek exceptional talent to help us reach our goals, we strive to deliver a great experience for every candidate from the initial contact to their start date.

Learn more about our current openings and how you can join our mission to advance next-generation cell therapies.