Scale-Up Engineer

At iPROOF, we are building a state-of-the-art hub for bioproducts innovation. We offer dynamic career opportunities for scientific and technical professionals who are driven to scale the future of precision fermentation.

We combine the agility of a biotech startup with the stability of an industry leader. As a part of the iPROOF team, you will help advance critical innovations in an inclusive environment that values curiosity, embraces diversity of thought, and actively challenges the status quo.

Because we believe in investing in our people, iPROOF offers a highly competitive benefits package, including comprehensive healthcare, dental and vision, retirement plans with an employer contribution, and paid parental leave.

At iPROOF, we are building a state-of-the-art hub for bioproducts innovation. We offer dynamic career opportunities for scientific and technical professionals who are driven to scale the future of precision fermentation.

We combine the agility of a biotech startup with the stability of an industry leader. As a part of the iPROOF team, you will help advance critical innovations in an inclusive environment that values curiosity, embraces diversity of thought, and actively challenges the status quo.

Because we believe in investing in our people, iPROOF offers a highly competitive benefits package, including comprehensive healthcare, dental and vision, retirement plans with an employer contribution, and paid parental leave.

The Scale-Up Engineer is responsible for transferring fermentation processes from laboratory and pilot scales into demonstration environments. This role serves as the technical bridge between R&D, process development, manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to ensure successful scale-up, robust process performance, and efficient commercialization. The engineer will lead process characterization, scale-up studies, technology transfer activities, batch execution support, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives for microbial, fungal, yeast, and/or heterotrophic algae fermentation and downstream processes.

Lead technology transfer projects from bench, pilot, or external development organizations into the iPROOF facility. Develop and maintain technology transfer packages including; process descriptions, batch records, SOPs, process flow diagrams, material balances, and control strategies. This role will help coordinate knowledge transfer between iPROOF and customers and facilitate technical risk assessments and transfer readiness reviews.

Scale fermentation processes through pilot and demonstration scales to de-risk the technology. Evaluate critical scale-up parameters including oxygen transfer (kLa), power input (P/V), mixing time, gas flow rates, heat transfer requirements, and feed strategies. Support seed train development and scale progression strategies. Design and execute experiments for media optimization, feeding strategies, and induction strategies, Apply statistical and data-driven methods to improve process performance.

Identify opportunities to improve throughput, yield, and manufacturing economics.

Recommend unit operations needed and their order to obtain desired product. Design and execute unit-operations-specific experiments for throughput and efficiency. Apply statistical and data-driven methods to improve process performance and identify opportunities.

Provide on-floor technical support during fermentation campaigns. Troubleshoot issues related to growth performance, titer, yield, productivity, contamination events, and process control. Analyze process data and recommend corrective actions. Support deviation investigations, root-cause analyses (RCAs), and corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).

Collaborate with engineering teams on utility requirements, piping and instrumentation, CIP/SIP systems, and process controls. Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, qualification, and startup…