ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Fermentation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Iff

Associate Engineer, Process R&D

Palo Alto, CA

$74K - $93K/yr

Job Summary Are you passionate about fermentation and ready to combine hands-on lab work with ... engineering, or a related field - Strong hands-on experience with fermentation or bioprocess ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFermentation Engineer JobsFermentation Engineer Jobs in California

Fermentation Engineer information

See California salary details

$40.5K

$109.2K

$148.5K

How much do fermentation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for fermentation engineer in California is $109,213.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,300.00 and $145,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fermentation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fermentation Engineer, you need a solid background in bioprocess engineering, microbiology, and chemical engineering, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with fermentation control systems, bioreactor operation, and analytical laboratory tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you optimize processes and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital to ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality fermentation processes in industries like biotech, food, and pharmaceuticals.

How much do fermentation scientists make?

Fermentation scientists, also known as fermentation engineers, typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $60,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced roles or those with specialized skills in bioprocessing or microbiology can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually.

What are the most common challenges faced by Fermentation Engineers in scaling up processes from lab to production?

Fermentation Engineers often encounter challenges when scaling up processes from laboratory to industrial scale, such as maintaining consistent product yields, ensuring robust microbial performance, and managing contamination risks. Differences in equipment, mixing, oxygen transfer, and temperature control can significantly impact the reproducibility and efficiency of fermentation. To address these challenges, engineers work closely with cross-functional teams, including microbiologists, process engineers, and quality assurance, to optimize protocols and implement rigorous monitoring systems throughout scale-up.

What does a fermentation engineer do?

A fermentation engineer designs, develops, and optimizes fermentation processes used in producing products like biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and food ingredients. They work with microbiology, biochemistry, and process control tools to ensure efficient and consistent production, often operating in laboratory and manufacturing environments. Strong knowledge of bioreactors, sterile techniques, and quality standards is essential for this role.

What Does a Fermentation Engineer Do?

A fermentation engineer uses state-of-the-art technologies to formulate new products and refine the processes used in existing ones. Your responsibilities in this career include setting up and testing a process involving a microorganism, such as a yeast or a bacterium, in a fermentor to create new products. You use biotechnology techniques like recombinant DNA technology. Your duties also involve operating sophisticated equipment, such as bioreactors or robots. You can find employment in a wide range of industries, from food production to agriculture to medical science.

What is the difference between Fermentation Engineer vs Microbiologist?

AspectFermentation EngineerMicrobiologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field; experience in fermentation processesBachelor's or higher in Microbiology, Biology, or related field; laboratory skills
Work EnvironmentIndustrial labs, manufacturing plants, R&D facilitiesResearch labs, clinical labs, academic institutions
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, biofuel productionHealthcare, research, environmental studies, food safety

Fermentation Engineers focus on designing, optimizing, and scaling fermentation processes in industrial settings, while Microbiologists primarily conduct research and analysis of microorganisms in laboratory environments. Both roles require a strong background in microbiology, but Fermentation Engineers emphasize process engineering and production, whereas Microbiologists focus on scientific study and experimentation.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and often leadership roles or working in high-paying industries.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial positions, or possessing advanced certifications and expertise in niche areas.
More about Fermentation Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Fermentation Engineer jobs in California? For Fermentation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fermentation Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Fermentation Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Fermentation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Fermentation Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Fermentation Engineer jobs in CA? For Fermentation Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Fermentation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fermentation Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $109,213 per year, or $52.5 per hour.
Research Associate, Fermentation

Research Associate, Fermentation

Debut Biotech

San Diego, CA • On-site

$21 - $26.44/hr

Full-time

Posted 9 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.
Research Associate, Fermentation
Summary
Debut Biotechnology is seeking a Research Associate to aid in microbial fermentation processes for small molecule production. This individual should be versed in fermentation science and have a basic understanding of microbial physiology, secondary metabolism, and biosynthetic pathways. The ideal candidate would be an energetic, adaptive, creative, and highly self-motivated individual who enjoys undertaking complex challenges both individually and as part of a team. The successful candidate will interact closely with molecular biologists, chemists, and engineers and will be directly responsible for bench-scale bioreactor operation and small molecule product analysis. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills are essential due to the highly collaborative nature of the position.
Essential Functions
  • Design and execution of fermentation experiments across multiple volumes
  • Optimization of fermentation operations by controlling numerous parameters
  • Maintenance of bench-scale bioreactors
  • Preparation of media, buffers, and chemical solutions
  • Product sampling and chemical/microbiological analysis
  • Bioreactor and laboratory material cleaning and sterilization
  • Data processing and statistical analysis to maximize understanding of strain performance
  • High throughput experiment optimization across multiple reaction volumes
  • Evening/nights and weekend work may be required on occasions

Education and Experience
Required:
  • BS in biotechnology, microbiology, or fermentation with a minimum of 2 years of microbiology lab experience
  • Attention to detail and meticulous record keeping
  • Intermediate/advanced Excel skills
  • Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects

Preferred:
  • Experience with small molecule fermentation via genetically engineered organisms is a plus
  • Experience applying molecular biology techniques is a plus
  • Experience using statistical software to analyze large datasets is a plus
  • Experience understanding and running advanced experimental designs is a plus
  • Experience interpreting fermentation's product and byproduct results is a plus

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).
  • 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.
Pay Range: $21.00 - $26.44 / hourly

Apply