Fermentation Process Engineer
Chicago, IL
Technology & Operations /
Full-time /
On-site
Nature’s Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Our novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world’s expanding population grows, our mission is to create amazing foods and materials that provide sustainable choices and nurture the planet.
We’re looking for passionate, driven, and ambitious people to join our fast-growing team.
As the Fermentation Process Engineer for Nature’s Fynd, you will be a key member of the Process Engineering team responsible for developing, scaling up, integrating, and optimizing our fermentation technology, at both pilot and commercial scales. The position will work with internal R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams as well as external CMOs. You will be responsible for driving functionality, productivity, and product quality through experimentation, design, and implementation of our fermentation processes.
As the Fermentation Process Engineer, you will have the opportunity to design and manage equipment and processes that will help define how Nature’s Fynd achieves its pilot plant implementation, optimization of existing technologies, and subsequent commercialization of new technologies. You will be involved with innovation, execution, and managing fermentation processes that will have a lasting impact on the business. A vast majority of this job will be on site with <25% travel.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Development of new and optimization of existing fermentation and downstream processing (DSP) for Nature’s Fynd fermentation technology, from pilot to commercial scale
- Engineer and execute fermentation operating strategies and process control strategies based on a strong understanding of fermentation engineering principles
- Plan and execute fermentation experimental design (pilot & commercial scale) ensuring safety, effectiveness, and efficiency
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental (pilot & commercial scale), and actual production data
- Oversee equipment selection, modification, procurement, installation, and start-up in relation to fermentation
- Serve as the technical resource with respect to fermentation manufacturing scale-up and operations
- Evaluate and optimize the fermentation process for future facilities and CMOs. Participate in technology transfer to subsequent stages of commercial manufacturing
- Identify and implement best practices in fermentation scale-up and technology deployment
- Communicate with key stakeholders in R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and relevant third parties. Prepare mass balances, process flow diagrams, piping & instrumentation diagrams, technical, and experimental reports, techno-economic feasibility assessments for communicating work outcomes and future recommendations economic analysis, SOPs
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
- 5+ years in a fermentation process engineering role, supporting piloting, scale-up, and manufacturing, ideally in a food manufacturing environment
- In-depth technical knowledge and extensive hands-on experience with Fermentation processes, Scale-up/scale-down techniques, including bench scale, pilot scale, and commercial scale
- Knowledgeable about downstream processing design and equipment selection, Technology transfer, Both laboratory-scale and commercial-scale fermentation operations
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in pilot and industrial-scale fermentation of food ingredients. Applied knowledge in statistics, process data analytics, control, and automation
- Bachelor's degree and Master's degree (preferred), in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or similar
Personal Qualifications:
- Comfortable working in a startup environment, entrepreneurial mindset, and enthusiasm for innovation
- Emphasis on personal transparency and accountability
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently & with a team
- Ability to manage workflow for multiple projects and tasks
- Detail-oriented, organized and capacity to meet deadlines
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, across organizational functions
- Exhibit a strong sense of professional and personal integrity
- Inherent curiosity and creativity in solving problems to understand how things work
- Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information
- Versatility, flexibility, and willingness to work enthusiastically within changing priorities
Benefits:
- Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Program
- 100% paid employee benefits (medical, dental, vision)
- Generous Parental leave policy
- Opportunity to join a company with an aggressive growth trajectory that will revolutionize multiple industries
- Engaging and dynamic work culture full of innovation and collaboration with your fellow Fynders
Commitment To Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, And Belonging:
- Nature’s Fynd views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values
EEO Statement:
- We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law
