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Fermentation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fermentation Technician This role focuses on producing microbial products for the food, biofuels ... About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent ...

Fermentation Technician Responsibilities * Produce microbial products for food, biofuels, and ... About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent ...

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Fermentation Engineer information

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$41K

$110.7K

$150.5K

How much do fermentation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for fermentation engineer in the United States is $110,663.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,500.00 and $147,500.00 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.

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 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 cities are hiring for Fermentation Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Fermentation Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Fermentation Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Fermentation Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Fermentation Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,663 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT) Engineer - Fermentation Process Development

Kula Bio, Inc

Natick, MA โ€ข On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT) Engineer - Fermentation Process Development
Natick, MA Kula Bio
Scale breakthrough biology into real-world impact.
Kula Bio is building a new platform for microbial bioinoculants that unlock nitrogen naturally - reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. We're at a critical stage of scale-out and looking for an MSAT Engineer to help transform our fermentation processes into robust, scalable production systems.
What You'll Do
  • Lead process transfer from R&D to manufacturing and own improvements end-to-end
  • Redesign fermentation workflows to improve operability, consistency, and scalability
  • Optimize processes for yield, quality, and environmental performance
  • Troubleshoot scale-up challenges and streamline production systems
  • Partner with engineering firms, manufacturing, and quality teams to build reliable processes

This is a core engineering role - your work directly determines how fast and effectively we scale.
Who You Are
  • PhD + ~5+ years in fermentation, bioprocessing, or biochemical engineering
  • Deep hands-on experience with fermentation development and scale-up
  • Strong problem solver comfortable with ambiguity and fast-moving environments
  • Experience simplifying complex processes without sacrificing performance
  • Bonus: background in ag biotech, bioinoculants, or nitrogen fixation

Why Join Kula Bio
  • Mission-driven work advancing sustainable agriculture
  • High-impact role with direct ownership of scaling operations
  • Work at the cutting edge of biology, engineering, and manufacturing

Compensation
  • Salary Range: $130,000 - $145,000 annually
  • Final compensation is based on experience, skills, and qualifications

Benefits
Kula Bio offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and financial security, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off and company holidays
  • Retirement savings plan
  • Additional wellness and employee support programs

(Full benefits details provided during the hiring process.)
Equal Opportunity
Kula Bio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process.
Salary Description
130,000 - 145,000

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About Kula Bio

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Biotechnology research and development

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Allston, MA, US

Year founded

2018