Work Location: Austin, Texas

Summary:

Seeking a Fermentation Engineer for a contract (to-potential-permanent), on-site role. This position is responsible for leading bench-scale fermentation operations, optimizing processes for engineered microbial strains, and supporting technology transfer for scale-up. The role offers significant autonomy and hands-on laboratory work, with opportunities to collaborate closely with a scientific team and manufacturing partners.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute bench-scale fermentation runs, including setup, sterilization, inoculation, monitoring, and harvest of bioreactor systems.
• Develop, document, and refine protocols for fermentation of engineered bacterial and yeast strains.
• Troubleshoot and optimize fermentation processes, responding to deviations and ensuring process reliability.
• Coordinate routine sampling and analytical workflows to monitor product yield and process parameters.
• Maintain comprehensive records of fermentation activities, observations, and process changes.
• Analyze fermentation data to identify trends, assess reproducibility, and drive process improvements.
• Prepare documentation to support technology transfer and collaboration with manufacturing partners.
• Manage laboratory equipment, consumables inventory, and ensure compliance with safety protocols.

Qualifications:

• BS or MS in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, microbiology, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of hands-on experience operating bench-scale bioreactors.
• Experience with microbial fermentation, aseptic technique, and contamination control.
• Familiarity with fermentation monitoring and control (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, feeding strategies).
• Strong documentation skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.
• Comfortable working with BSL-2 organisms and following safety protocols.
• Experience with fed-batch fermentation, lipid or oil-based carbon sources, or non-traditional yeasts is a plus.
• Familiarity with Pseudomonas or other gram-negative bacteria preferred.
• Experience with fermentation data analysis, visualization, and exposure to process scale-up or technology transfer is advantageous.

Published Category: Analytical & Process Development