Title: Senior/Principal Fermentation Engineer, Deployment
Department: Process Technology

Position Summary

Genomatica develops commercial biobased processes to make widely-used chemicals that enable better, more sustainable everyday products . That enables our partners and leading brands to offer better food packaging, auto parts, clothing, tires, carpets, and more.

We’ve commercialized processes for bio-BDO (for plastics) and for biobased butylene glycol (for cosmetics); and our technology drives the world’s first commercial-scale biobased plant for a major intermediate chemical. We’re working on polyamide intermediates (nylon) and on butadiene (tires); and we’re helping numerous companies with their bioprocesses. We have more on the way.

We seek a talented, driven, and innovative Senior/Principal Fermentation Engineer to oversee our fermentation scale-up and deployment activities. Candidates must have a tangible record of success up-scaling industrial fermentation processes and have a strong understanding of and experience with down-scaling fermentation processes. This position will work closely with Genomatica’s other functional R&D and Commercial teams to prepare for and execute external technology deployment projects for process piloting, demonstration, and product manufacturing.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lead a team of fermentation specialists to support the scope of fermentation deployment and scale-up activities across Genomatica’s product portfolio. Interface with key R&D stakeholders and leadership to scope, plan, and allocate resources for deployment projects.
• Mentor, coach, and develop talent; foster an environment of trust and innovation.
• Identify and implement best practices in fermentation scale-up and technology deployment.
• Serve as Genomatica’s internal expert on fermentation engineering (sterile design concepts, bioreactor sizing, raw material sterilization, bioreactor controls, etc)
• Enhance Genomatica’s existing bioreactor modeling tools and laboratory-scale systems for down-scaling commercial fermentation processes to enable high-confidence scale-up.
• Author technology transfer documentation for deployment of process technology to external piloting, tolling, and manufacturing sites.
• Lead and/or support technology deployment activities at external piloting, demonstration, or manufacturing sites. Travel to external facilities up to 25% with some periods of higher frequency.
• Live Genomatica’s core values: We are Real, Relentless, United, and Innovative.

Qualifications & Experience

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required in order satisfactorily perform in this role.

Education

Typically, PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

Experience

Directly relevant fermentation experience required; preferred 8+ years of industrial fermentation experience developing and up-scaling fermentation processes, preferably with E. coli .

Knowledge Requirements

In depth technical knowledge and extensive experience with fermentation processes, scale-up/scale-down techniques, fermentation and bioreactor modeling, technology transfer, sterile design, and both laboratory-scale and commercial-scale fermentation operations.

Competencies

• Strong leadership skills and proven success in leading high-performing, multi-cultural teams.
• Ability to develop and nurture collaborative relationships and influence a wide variety of individuals, including executive leadership, R&D, peers, collaborators, and third-party contractors.
• A strong technical background in fermentation with significant career development and demonstrated success in developing and commercializing fermentation products.
• Advanced technical knowledge of bioprocess development, bioreactor modeling, scale-up/scale-down, technology transfer, and technology deployment.
• A strong understanding of chemical engineering principles, including kinetics, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, fluid dynamics, etc.
• Ability to identify root causes of complex problems and develop creative solutions to solve them.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly motivated, high energy, “can do” attitude, self-starter with a strong sense of urgency.
• Track record of safety-compliance in laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing environments.

Work Environment/ Physical Demands

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position involves working in office, laboratory, and pilot/manufacturing environments. Time spent in partner laboratories or at manufacturing facilities requires compliance with all site safety rules. The primary work location is at Genomatica’s R&D Headquarters in San Diego, CA.

Genomatica is committed to providing exciting career opportunities in an environment that values trust, respect, openness, teamwork, creativity, enthusiasm, and diligence. We strive to create a culture that enables and encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are committed to be a company where everyone feels they have equal opportunity to reach their potential. Everyone is accepted and appreciated for who they are and what they bring to Genomatica.

We promote the continued development of an inclusive environment that values diversity through Geno4All, our employee led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee. We are looking for innovative, highly motivated, and collaborative people who enjoy the challenges and rewards of a company devoted to commercializing cutting-edge sustainable technology.

Check us out on our LinkedIn Life page. Genomatica is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

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