Senior 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, we are 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. It’s where cutting-edge science meets bold ambition to reinvent the way we eat.

We’re currently seeking a Senior Process Engineer - Downstream Processing to join our extraordinary team.

• Do you have an understanding on the execution, commissioning, and start-up of fermentation and bioprocessing lines?

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

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

• Do you love creating a culture of safety on your teams?

If you answered yes to these questions, 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 Senior Process Engineer - Downstream Processing is an experienced engineer, scientist, or related occupation that is responsible for developing and optimizing downstream processing methods for protein purification in the company.  This position is located onsite and would require living in commutable distance to the worksite. Relocation assistance is offered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and plan experiments and research activities related to downstream processing and purification
• Lead process development across multiple DSP operations such as centrifugation, membrane filtration, depth filtration, adsorption, evaporation, liquid formulation and drying
• Support pilot plant equipment commissioning and process startup
• Provide process input/output, establish scale-up/scale-down parameters for mass/energy balance using engineering fundamentals to the engineering team and external process design firms
• Preparation and presentation of technical reports, data summaries, protocols and other technical and regulatory documentation, as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Life Sciences w/ 8+ years experience or Master’s degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering preferred) or Life Sciences with 5+ years experience
• Prior food GMP experience in a food biotech
• Prior experience with commercial scale biotech process equipment a plus
• Understand the use of technology as a competitive differentiator
• Some work travel required.

Skills & Qualities:

• Ability to troubleshoot and manage operations

• Demonstrates adaptability and is highly responsive

• Experience and interest in internal and external communications and partnership development

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.