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Downstream Processing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Downstream Process Development Scientist - Tech Transfer Consultant

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$75 - $90/hr

... processing. * Strong technical expertise in downstream process development and scale-up . * Demonstrated experience with technology transfer to manufacturing facilities and/or CMO/CDMO partners

Kinetic Personnel Group

Downstream Process

Tustin, CA · On-site

Downstream Process Analytics Specialist Industry: Biopharmaceutical CDMO / Biologics Manufacturing Location: Irvine, CA (Onsite) Employment Type: Full-Time Schedule: Monday–Friday | Standard ...

Debut Biotech

Staff Process Engineer

San Diego, CA

This individual will serve as a subject matter expert in downstream processing, assisting a team of scientists and engineers through process development at bench, pilot, and manufacturing scale. The ...

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How much do downstream processing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for downstream processing in California is $24.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $27.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is downstream processing?

A Downstream Processing (DSP) job involves purifying and recovering biomolecules, such as proteins or vaccines, after fermentation or cell culture. Professionals in this role use techniques like filtration, chromatography, and centrifugation to ensure product purity and quality. They work in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and bioprocessing. Key responsibilities include optimizing purification processes, troubleshooting equipment, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in downstream processing?

In Downstream Processing, your daily activities often include operating and optimizing purification systems, conducting in-process testing, and meticulously documenting process parameters and results. You’ll collaborate closely with upstream teams, quality control labs, and engineering staff to troubleshoot and improve workflows. Managing equipment maintenance, adhering to safety and compliance standards, and actively participating in process development projects are also key facets of the job. This hands-on role is essential for ensuring the purity and consistency of biopharmaceutical products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in downstream processing, and why are they important?

To thrive in Downstream Processing, you typically need a background in biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field, along with experience in purification and separation techniques. Familiarity with technical tools such as chromatography systems, filtration units, and process control software, as well as cGMP certification, is often required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are valuable soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure efficient production, product quality, and compliance in highly regulated biopharmaceutical environments.

What does downstream processing involve?

Downstream processing involves the purification and recovery of products such as proteins, enzymes, or pharmaceuticals from bioreactors. It includes steps like filtration, chromatography, and concentration to ensure product quality and safety, often requiring knowledge of bioprocessing techniques and quality control standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Downstream Processing jobs in California?

The most popular types of Downstream Processing jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Downstream Processing jobs in California?

For Downstream Processing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Downstream Processing jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Downstream Processing jobs in California are:

Downstream Processing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Downstream Processing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,647 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Associate Director/Director, Downstream Processing

Debut Biotech

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Debut
Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do-setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world. Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.
Associate Director/Director, Downstream Processing
Summary
The Associate Director/Director, Downstream Processing (DSP) will lead the strategy, development, and execution of downstream purification processes for products made through precision fermentation, with a focus on small molecules for use as cosmetic active ingredients. This individual will serve as the organization's subject matter expert in downstream processing, guiding a team of scientists and engineers through process development at bench, pilot, and manufacturing scale. The candidate will also own the technical relationship with external Contract Development Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) partners, from proposal review through tech transfer and commercial scale-up to manufacturing support.
This is a hands-on leadership role that requires deep technical expertise in downstream unit operations, strong cross-functional collaboration skills, and the ability to translate laboratory-scale processes into robust, cost-effective, and scalable manufacturing solutions.
Essential Functions
  • Direct the development of downstream purification processes for fermentation-derived products, from bench scale (grams) through pilot scale (kilograms) to manufacturing scale (tons per year).
  • Provide hands-on technical expertise across downstream unit operations, including centrifugation, filtration (dead-end and tangential flow), distillation, precipitation, adsorption chromatography (HIC, IEX), liquid/liquid extraction, crystallization, and drying.
  • Establish and maintain a flexible, efficient downstream processing laboratory equipped for rapid process development, troubleshooting, and technology transfer.
  • Evaluate and manage CDMO and CMO partnerships, including authoring requests for proposals, reviewing vendor proposals, and conducting site visits and inspections.
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external manufacturing partners during scale-up and manufacturing phases.
  • Author and lead technology transfer packages to CDMO and CMO partners.
  • Serve as project manager for CDMO and CMO scale-up projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
  • Provide experimental, modeling and statistical capabilities to ensure successful process transfer and robustness at scale
  • Identify, specify, and oversee the purchase of scale-relevant downstream processing equipment for external manufacturing partners.
  • Partner with quality, regulatory, and supply chain teams to ensure downstream processes meet all applicable standards.
  • Communicate technical progress, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Lead and mentor a team of downstream process development scientists and engineers
  • Set the technical direction and strategic priorities for the Downstream Processing function.
  • Define and track key performance indicators for the team, including yield, purity, scalability, and cost.
  • Collaborate closely with upstream process development and strain engineering leads to align on integrated process development strategies.

Education and Experience
  • PhD + 10 years of experience; OR Master's Degree + 16 years of experience; OR Bachelors Degree + 18 years of experience.
  • Significant experience in downstream process development for fermentation-derived products, with demonstrated expertise across lab, pilot, and manufacturing scales.
  • Demonstrated expertise in downstream unit operations, including centrifugation, filtration, distillation, precipitation, chromatography, liquid/liquid extraction, crystallization, and drying.
  • Experience managing or leading technical teams, including mentoring scientists and engineers.
  • Proven experience authoring and executing technology transfers to CDMO or CMO partners.
  • Experience serving as a technical project manager for external scale-up or manufacturing projects.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience evaluating and selecting CDMO or CMO partners, including RFP authorship and site audits.
  • Familiarity with mass balance review and master batch record oversight.
  • Experience specifying and procuring scale-relevant process equipment.
  • Background in microbial (bacterial and yeast) fermentation DSP processes, of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic target compounds.

Travel Requirements
This role requires travel of approximately 20% to support CDMO and CMO site visits, inspections, technology transfer activities, and on-site collaboration during scale-up and manufacturing phases. Travel may include both domestic and international destinations, depending on the location of manufacturing partners.
Essential Physical Characteristics
The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
  • Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck.
  • Frequent: sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers.
  • Frequently uses hands to feel objects or control tools (e.g. pipetting). Laboratory operations require dexterity and care to perform studies as required.
  • Occasional: walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and occasional lifting and carrying of files or material weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Must be willing to work with biohazardous agents (up to BSL2) and chemicals.
  • The R&D laboratory will result in exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, limited dust, and oily coolants.
  • The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, appropriate attire, safety shoes, hard hat, hearing protection, etc.

Condition of Employment
As part of Debut's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check prior to beginning employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.
Debut is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
Salary: $150,000-$180,000

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