At Zymergen, our mission is to create a vibrant, sustainable future through biology. We have developed a platform with biotech capabilities to create new specialty molecules that were previously not available or practical through traditional petrochemical-based chemistry. Zymergen has demonstrated the promise of its platform to produce both new and known molecules through chemistry and bio-engineering to deliver unique specialty materials. We are passionate about advancing technologies through the innovative use of biology. 

Zymergen’s Products team plays a critical role in the development of new products and materials that are expected to outperform, be more cost-effective, and be more available than traditional petroleum-based solutions. In doing so, Zymergen will unlock previously unattainable possibilities in sustainability and resource efficiency.

Zymergen is hiring an experienced Chemical Engineer to expand our Products Division Chemical Engineering capability. As a member of the Chemical Engineering process development team, the incumbent will develop and transfer production processes of Zymergen’s novel molecules to commercial scale. 

Job Description and Specific Responsibilities

An ideal candidate for this position will perform the following duties:

• Plan and execute process development across scales, and transfer processes between sites
• Technical vetting of Contract Research or Manufacturing Organizations (CRO/CMO) and evaluating their assets against Zymergen’s process and timing needs
• Provide oversight of external partners and manage process and/or equipment testing at CRO/CMO and equipment vendor facilities
• Cross-functional work with fermentation downstream process development group, materials research project teams, project management, product management, and commercial operations to drive time-critical projects to completion under safe operating conditions.
• Drive implementation / identification of internal / external laboratory capabilities and assist in the development of a network of CROs/CMOs in the area of chemical and polymer synthesis and  processing
• Build out laboratory capabilities, including bench-scale and pilot scale
• Provide regular project updates for products leadership

Qualifications/Experience

We favor candidates with the following qualification/experience:

• BS/MS in Chemical Engineering with 5+ years industry experience OR PhD in Chemical Engineering and 2+ years of industry experience
• Hands-on experience conducting development work at lab and/or pilot scale
• Demonstrated experience in scaling processes from lab/pilot into operational pilot/commercial-scale facilities, including tech transfers and on-site support
• Demonstrated experience in planning and operating hazardous processes 
• Experience with chemical reactor design and scale-up principles
• Experience with a range of commercially-applicable purification and solids handling unit operations such drying, filtration, crystallization, precipitation
• Thorough knowledge of chemical engineering principles in practice
• Experience with pilot-scale design and build out projects, including process automation, is preferred
• Experience in process synthesis, developing and utilizing process cost models, is preferred
• Experience with Aspen Plus process simulation software is preferred
• Experience with hazard management analysis and demonstrated focus on safe operations is a must

Additional Details

• Travel requirements up to 20%
• Demonstrated focus on safe operations is a must
• Previous experience in the field of synthetic biology is not essential

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor individuals for employment visas for this job.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in the SF Bay Area, Zymergen is a science and material innovation company rethinking biology and reimagining the world. A World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Zymergen partners with nature to create never-before imagined materials and products across industries – from agriculture to consumer electronics, personal care to pharmaceuticals, and more. The company’s materials are in use today, creating value for Fortune 1000 companies and major corporations across the globe. Our clients have sold over $1 billion worth of products using Zymergen microbial strains. For more information visit: www.zymergen.com.