Process Engineer - Downstream Processing

About Air Protein

At Air Protein, we’re passionate about creating a new food system–one that pushes the boundaries of what anyone thought was possible and builds a healthy relationship between our food and our planet. This is a new era of sustainable production; we can use less and make more. We can feed the growing global population without destroying rainforests or warming the planet. Join our diverse team of passionate scientists, engineers, and business leaders working to create the future of food—meat made from elements of the air.

As an innovative food company, crafting the world’s first air-based meats to eliminate compromise between nutrition, taste, and climate impact.  Using novel technology inspired by NASA, we convert elements found in the air into protein. Air Protein’s process is carbon-negative by design, using less land and water, and is powered by renewable energy. Its where cutting-edge science meets bold ambition to reinvent the way we eat.

We’re currently seeking a Protein Purification Engineer or Scientist to join our extraordinary team…

• Do you enjoy engineering and scientific principles, research theories, and models?

• Have you designed, planned, executed, and analyzed scalable process experiments in lab and pilot plant scale?

• Have you work in collaboration with fermentation, pilot plant, analytical, product development functions?

• Do you have experience with downstream processing and purification associate with food grade protein production?

If you answered yes to these questions, then WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Benefits & Perks

In addition to the chance to work with a world-class team and cutting-edge technology to help combat climate change and address the impending food crisis, Air Protein employees also enjoy competitive benefits. We offer unlimited PTO, parental leave, 401K match, and compensation plans that include employee equity. Air Protein invests in employee development and the company culture is shaped by shared values:

• Protect people & the planet
• Play as a team and have a growth mindset
• Do what you say you will do
• Be the change you seek
• Create a culture of belonging

The Role:

The Protein Purification Engineer or Scientist is an experienced engineer, scientist, or related occupation that is responsible for developing and optimization downstream processing methods for protein purification in the company.This position will be in the SF/Bay Area and requires candidates to live in commutable distance to our facilities. Relocation offered.

This role is actively responsible to:

• Apply engineering and scientific principles, research theories, and models to design and plan experiments and research activities related to downstream processing and purification associate with food grade protein production.
• Design, plan, execute and analyze scalable process experiments in laboratory and pilot plant scale.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and optimize downstream processes on lab and pilot scale.
• Install, setup, and commission laboratory scale protein purification equipment. Support pilot plant equipment commissioning and startup.
• Collaboration with fermentation, pilot plant, analytical, product development functions with all development objectives
• Provide on-site guidance and troubleshooting support in pilot plant and external CMOs during technology transfer.
• Communicate technical findings to internal project teams, management, and external stakeholders
• Write and review technical documentation including reports, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and engineering design packages
• Maintain safe work practices and environment

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering preferred) or Life Sciences
• 3+ years of experience in downstream processing methods including extraction, filtration, centrifugation, membrane filtration, drying, and experience working on protein purification (spray, drum, vacuum, etc.)
• Experience developing process in lab scale and pilot scale

Preferred:

• Prior food GMP experience in a food biotech
• Prior experience with production scale biotech process equipment

Skills & Qualities:

• Able to recognize when optimization, correction, or custom changes are necessary.

• Ability to troubleshoot and manage operations.

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to act proactively to create exceptional experiences for internal and external audiences.

• Good interpersonal skills. Possess a customer first mentality with all stakeholders.

• Superlative communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate with tangible and lasting shaping of core values and standards.

• Professional experience in roles requiring both independent creativity and collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

• Understand the use of technology as a competitive differentiator.

Check us out in the media, news, and in the community:

• Forbes: The Meatless Mafia: Four Companies Revolutionizing the Future of Food
• World Economic Forum: Air Protein Named WEF Technology Pioneer
• TED Talk: A forgotten Space Age Technology Could Change How We Grow Food
• Bloomberg: Crop Trader ADM Pours Money Into Firm Making Meat Out of Air

Air Protein Is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Air Protein, we are committed to providing equal opportunities. Because we want the absolute best people, we enthusiastically invite people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability – or any other status protected by law – to apply to join our team.

Research has shown that women and people from marginalized groups may not apply for a role if they aren't a 100% match.  Please don't hold back.  If you think you will excel in this role, but perhaps you don’t tick every box, we'd appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.