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Bioprocess Upstream Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior BioProcess Engineer

Austin, TX

$103K - $142K/yr

This position will be responsible for the technical hands-on oversight of product development ... Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis of upstream and downstream process challenges and ...

Senior BioProcess Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

This position will be responsible for the technical hands-on oversight of product development ... Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis of upstream and downstream process challenges and ...

Senior BioProcess Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

This position will be responsible for the technical hands-on oversight of product development ... Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis of upstream and downstream process challenges and ...

$100 - $125/hr

Our new Bioprocess Design Center is an innovative facility dedicated to demonstrating and training ... upstream process development programs that generate data-driven evidence of single-use technology ...

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Bioprocess Upstream Development information

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How much do bioprocess upstream development jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for bioprocess upstream development in the United States is $18.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is bioprocess upstream development?

Bioprocess upstream development refers to the initial stages of biomanufacturing, where living cells are cultivated to produce desired biological products such as proteins, vaccines, or antibodies. This process involves optimizing cell culture conditions, selecting suitable cell lines, and scaling up production from laboratory to industrial levels. Professionals in upstream development focus on maximizing yield and quality of the target product while ensuring cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in bioprocess upstream development?

To thrive in Bioprocess Upstream Development, you need a strong background in biotechnology, microbiology, or chemical engineering, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with cell culture techniques. Familiarity with bioreactor operations, process control systems, and analytical tools like HPLC and ELISA is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for optimizing complex biological processes. These competencies ensure efficient process development, regulatory compliance, and successful scale-up in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced in bioprocess upstream development, and how are they typically addressed?

Professionals in Bioprocess Upstream Development often encounter challenges such as optimizing cell culture conditions, scaling up processes from laboratory to production scale, and ensuring consistency in product yield and quality. Addressing these challenges involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including downstream processing and quality assurance, as well as leveraging advanced analytical techniques and process automation. Continuous learning and adaptability are important, as upstream processes frequently need refinement based on experimental data and evolving project goals.

What is the difference between Bioprocess Upstream Development vs Bioprocess Manufacturing Technician?

AspectBioprocess Upstream DevelopmentBioprocess Manufacturing Technician
Primary FocusDesign, optimize, and develop upstream bioprocesses for productionOperate and monitor bioprocessing equipment during manufacturing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, development facilitiesManufacturing floors, production plants
CredentialsBachelor's in biotech, biology, or related fields; experience in process developmentTechnical diploma or associate degree; hands-on manufacturing experience
Industry UsageR&D, process optimization, early-stage developmentLarge-scale production, GMP compliance, quality control

Bioprocess Upstream Development focuses on creating and refining bioprocesses in research settings, while Bioprocess Manufacturing Technicians handle the day-to-day operations during production. Both roles are essential but differ in scope, environment, and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Bioprocess Upstream Development jobs?

For Bioprocess Upstream Development jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Bioprocess Upstream Development job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,923 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Vice President, Upstream Process Development

Omaha, NE • On-site

Bluestem Biosciences
Biotechnology Research and Development • 1 - 10 employees

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Vice President, Upstream Process Development
MIDWEST OR (Preferably) OMAHA, NE
ABOUT US:
We use American corn and existing bioethanol infrastructure to produce critical chemicals right here at home-powering U.S. competitiveness and securing our nation's supply chains - while reinvesting in agricultural America. Bluestem Biosciences has engineered a breakthrough in American manufacturing. Our proprietary biomanufacturing process represents a new, cost-effective, and advantaged way to produce platform chemicals domestically. With the foundation of existing infrastructure, we convert abundant, renewable American corn into high-value chemicals at scale. JOIN US AS WE ACCELERATE TO COMMERCIALIZATION
ROLE SUMMARY:
We are seeking an exceptional Vice President of Upstream Fermentation to join our top-talented scientific team. This role is central to our mission, and you will be the expert driving our fermentation process from the bench to commercial scale. You will work at the intersection of strain development and downstream processing, collaborating with our internal teams and external partners to pioneer a continually optimized, scalable approach to biomanufacturing. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of quantitative physiology and a passion for turning biology into real-world products.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Drive the strategic plan for commercializing our upstream process, building and executing the roadmap to get us to demonstration and commercial scales
  • Improve and develop scale-down processes that are directly informed by our commercial-scale goals ('end in mind' thinking)
  • Direct the development of robust analytical and process monitoring methods for repeatable, high-quality fermentations
  • Independently but collaboratively design and manage critical fermentation experiments with our external partners to maximize our understanding of strain physiology
  • Lead process characterization (CPPs), optimization, and control (QbD) to enable seamless scale-up and technology transfer
  • Leverage your knowledge of bioprocess design to enhance and inform our techno-economic models
  • Provide knowledge and insights to inform utility, system, or equipment upgrades or expansions.
  • Evaluate and audit external partners for their fermentation capabilities at bench, pilot, and demonstration scales
  • Lead the design requirements and ultimately manage on-site implementation of the upstream process at Bluestem's demonstration facility

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Fermentation Science, Microbiology Physiology, or a related field plus 5+ years in a fermentation R&D role. (Differing combinations of experience and education will be considered)
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience and deep knowledge of fermentation science, biochemical engineering, and cellular physiology
  • Hands-on experience with media optimization, process design, and dynamic control strategies at laboratory and pilot/demo scales
  • Experience running commercial scale fermentations without all the "bells and whistles" of bench or pilot-scale bioreactors is preferred
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.
  • A self-starter mindset with the ability to lead projects, build relationships, and own the mission
  • Possess a Growth Mindset and open mind that seeks continuous learning from feedback, setbacks and failure on the journey to achieving results

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Commercial-scale fermentation experience (making money at scale) is a major plus!
  • Experience with yeast
  • Expertise with statistical software for analyzing large datasets (e.g., JMP, R, Minitab, etc.).
  • Experience 'promoting' strains from small-scale screening (flasks, microtiter plates) to bioreactors

Bluestem is an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.