Scientist​/Engineer, Fermentation & Downstream Process Development

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded in 2016, Checkerspot set out with a bold mission: to harness biotechnology to unlock the power of nature’s molecular building blocks. From the start, the company has focused on developing high-performance fats and oils that aren’t easily or sustainably sourced from nature, using precision fermentation to bring innovative solutions to market.

Whether in food, nutrition, or beyond, Checkerspot has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible – proving that science and sustainability can drive real-world impact.

Our company culture can best be understood through experience. Come get to know us! We’d like to be known more by what we do than what we say.

We seek an enthusiastic, team oriented, problem solver to join our Process Development team as a Scientist/Engineer. We are seeking someone with hands-on experience in both fermentation development and downstream processing, from bench through pilot scale. The ideal candidate will have experience scaling processes and transferring them to internal manufacturing teams or contract manufacturing partners.

• Independently design, execute, and interpret fermentation experiments in a team environment, including clean-up, set-up, operations, sugar prep, sampling, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and presentation of data
• Prepare production media and buffers, sterilize equipment, operate bioreactors, and perform seed scale-up from lab to pilot scale
• Assess the performance of microbial strains and their evaluation and characterization through method-based, reproducible lab techniques; partner with Strain Engineering to translate strain performance into process performance
• Troubleshoot fermentation and equipment issues to root cause and implement corrective actions, performing effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Apply statistical design of experiments and data analysis tools (e.g., JMP) to improve titer, rate, yield, and process robustness, and to define process specifications
• Manage cross-functional projects from experimental planning through execution, scale-up, and completion

• Develop, optimize, and scale downstream unit operations including centrifugation, mechanical and aqueous extraction, cell disruption, and various drying methods
• Contribute to oil recovery and refining process development — mechanical press, refining, bleaching, and deodorization — and to the alignment of downstream operations with product quality specifications
• Define process parameters, in-process controls, and acceptance criteria; author SOPs, batch records, and technical reports that support reproducible, quality-oriented operations

• Support transfer of fermentation and downstream processes to internal pilot operations with external CDMOs, including on-site support
• Create organized records and maintain high-quality documentation for newly developed approaches, including complete and timely entries in the electronic lab notebook (Benchling)
• Communicate results and recommendations through written reports and presentations to technical teams, senior leadership, and external partners

• Coordinate tasks across multiple projects, demonstrating prioritization and planning, and deliver against agreed milestones with minimal supervision
• Mentor Research Associates to design, execute, and analyze experiments, and direct the day-to-day technical work of junior staff on assigned projects as needed
• Work closely with the Molecular Biology, Analytical, and Applications teams to assess the impact of strain and process changes on key performance metrics
• Engage in technical discussions and research planning, and regularly present results at company and external meetings
• Support Checkerspot’s stated Public Benefits to promote the advancement of environmental stewardship, including by developing more sustainable higher performance materials, and by democratizing materials and tools for innovative product development for the…