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Fermentation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FITS LLC

Engineer

Juncos, PR · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Engineering & two (2) years of relevant experience within the Medical Devices ... Fermentation, Cell Culture, or Harvest process. * Supporting commercial campaigns. * Fermentation

Again

Sr. Production Process Engineer

Texas City, TX · On-site

$89K - $115K/yr

Oversee production engineering for TXS-1, Again's first commercial gas fermentation plant * Manage engineers and technicians * Optimize and debottleneck production processes, particularly gas ...

Mastech Digital

Project Engineer

Wahpeton, ND · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

We are currently seeking a Project Engineer for our client in the Fermentation Products Manufacturing domain. We value our professionals, providing comprehensive benefits and the opportunity for ...

Locus Management LLC

Production Engineer

Solon, OH · On-site

Locus Fermentation Solutions is a USA-based biotech company delivering high-performance, bio-based solutions across agriculture, energy, mining, and industrial markets. We specialize in advanced ...

Bluestem Biosciences

Senior Proccess Engineer

Omaha, NE · On-site

$99K - $128K/yr

You will collaborate closely with our internal strain design and fermentation teams and support the VP in managing technical collaborations with external engineering partners and CROs to drive the ...

Lilly

Engineer - Process

Indianapolis, IN

Provides engineering technical leadership globally in transport phenomena (eg. fluid mixing, heat and mass transfer, etc.) and fermentation engineering support (modeling, mixing, fermenter design ...

Bluestem Biosciences

Senior Proccess Engineer

Omaha, NE · On-site

$99K - $128K/yr

You will collaborate closely with our internal strain design and fermentation teams and support the VP in managing technical collaborations with external engineering partners and CROs to drive the ...

Red Star Yeast Company

Process Engineer

Brussels, WI · On-site

Learn existing fermentation, CY, and Nutritional production scheduling processes. * Identify ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering required. Emphasis in Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Food ...

Red Star Yeast Company

Process Engineer

Brussels, WI · On-site

Learn existing fermentation, CY, and Nutritional production scheduling processes. * Identify ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering required. Emphasis in Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Food ...

Lesaffre Group

Process Engineer

Brussels, WI · On-site

Learn existing fermentation, CY, and Nutritional production scheduling processes. * Identify ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering required. Emphasis in Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Food ...

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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 Jun 7, 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 designs, develops, and optimizes fermentation processes to produce products such as biofuels, pharmaceuticals, or food ingredients. They work with microbiology, bioreactors, and process control systems, often requiring knowledge of chemical engineering and laboratory skills. Their role involves troubleshooting, scaling up production, and ensuring quality and safety standards are met.

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.

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Fermentation Engineer jobs near you
Senior Associate Engineer, Upstream Development for Protein Development and Manufacturing (Contract)

Senior Associate Engineer, Upstream Development for Protein Development and Manufacturing (Contract)

Vaxcyte

San Carlos, CA

$57 - $63/hr

Other

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Summary:

Vaxcyte is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Associate Engineer to join the Upstream Process Development group within the Protein Development and CMC team. This is an exciting opportunity to join an outstanding team pursuing bacterial fermentation development at Vaxcyte.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and qualities:

  • Hands-on experience operating and maintaining bioreactors, including Ambr 250, at laboratory scale.
  • Experience with pilot scale fermentation and recovery equipment is a plus.
  • Skillful in analyzing and presenting data for process improvements, troubleshooting, and optimization.
  • An exceptional team player who works seamlessly with others, speaks up, and remains focused on achieving the best results to achieve company goals.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills.
Essential Functions:
  • Lead and collaborate in operational activities related to bioreactor set-up, monitoring, harvest, and maintenance.
  • Develop, test, and implement recipe scripting for fed-batch fermentation feeding controls.
  • Provide engineering support for design, implementation, and qualification of scale-down models.
  • Author SOPs (standard operating procedure), process flow diagrams and batch records.
  • Analyze and present fermentation data at internal project meetings. Participate in upstream database management and documentation in electronic notebooks.
Requirements: 
  • BS in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant Pharma/Biotech industry experience, or MS with 2+ years of relevant Pharma/Biotech industry experience.
  • Hands-on experience with fermentation and/or primary recovery unit operations.
    • Good understanding in fundamentals of bioreactor design, operation and controls.
    • Strong knowledge of aseptic techniques
    • Mechanical and technical knowledge of primary recovery unit operations such as homogenization, centrifugation, and depth filtration, is a plus
    • Understanding of fermentation scale up and development of scale down models
  • Familiarity with DoE (Design of Experiments) principles and software.
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements of biotherapeutics. Late-stage process characterization experience is a plus.
Reports to: Senior Scientist, Upstream Development for Protein Development & Manufacturing
 
Location: San Carlos, CA
 
Expected Contract Length: 12 Months
 
Hourly Range: $57.00 - $63.00
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About Vaxcyte

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Biotechnology research and development

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Carlos, CA, US

Year founded

2013

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