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Fermentation Process Engineer Jobs in California

The Rockridge Group

Software Engineer II

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Client X manufactures sustainable plant-derived ingredients using fermentation-based technology to ... processes to deliver high quality ingredients to our customers. Among the tools we have developed ...

Pendulum

Research Associate

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$89K - $99K/yr

We are a highly collaborative team of scientists, engineers, physicians, manufacturing ... fermentation, including sterile setup, inoculation, and process monitoring * Execute rigorous ...

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All JobsFermentation Process Engineer JobsFermentation Process Engineer Jobs in California

Fermentation Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do fermentation process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for fermentation process engineer in California is $90,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by fermentation process engineers during scale-up from lab to production?

Fermentation Process Engineers often encounter challenges when scaling up processes from the lab or pilot scale to full production, such as maintaining consistent product yields, ensuring sterility, and achieving optimal mixing and oxygen transfer. Differences in equipment size and configuration can affect heat and mass transfer rates, making it necessary to adjust parameters and monitor the process closely. Effective communication with cross-functional teams, including microbiologists and production operators, is crucial to address these issues and implement solutions promptly.

What is the difference between Fermentation Process Engineer vs Microbiologist?

AspectFermentation Process EngineerMicrobiologist
CredentialsBachelor's in Chemical, Biochemical, or related engineering fieldBachelor's or higher in Microbiology or related science
Work EnvironmentIndustrial fermentation facilities, manufacturing plantsResearch labs, clinical or environmental settings
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage manufacturingResearch institutions, biotech, healthcare
Common Search IntentOptimizing fermentation processes, scale-upStudying microbial behavior, research

While both roles involve microbiology, the Fermentation Process Engineer focuses on designing, optimizing, and scaling fermentation processes in industrial settings. In contrast, Microbiologists primarily conduct research and study microorganisms, often in lab environments. The engineer's role is more application-driven within manufacturing, whereas microbiologists focus on scientific understanding.

What does a fermentation process engineer do?

A Fermentation Process Engineer specializes in designing, optimizing, and overseeing the industrial fermentation processes used to produce products such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, biofuels, and chemicals. Their responsibilities include scaling up laboratory processes to industrial levels, monitoring process parameters, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring that production meets quality and safety standards. They often work closely with microbiologists, chemists, and production teams to improve yields and efficiency while minimizing costs and environmental impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fermentation process engineer?

To thrive as a Fermentation Process Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical engineering, microbiology, or biotechnology, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with bioreactor systems, process control software, and statistical analysis tools, as well as certifications like Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing, is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and troubleshoot complex processes. These skills are essential to optimize production, ensure product quality, and drive innovation in fermentation-based manufacturing.
What are popular job titles related to Fermentation Process Engineer jobs in California? For Fermentation Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fermentation Process Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Fermentation Process Engineer jobs in California are:
Fermentation Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fermentation Process Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Software Engineer II

The Rockridge Group

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

TITLE: Software Engineer II
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT – BIOINFORMATICS AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
We are seeking talented, curious, and self-motivated software engineers to help build the most advanced production-scale synthetic biology platform on the planet. Client X manufactures sustainable plant-derived ingredients using fermentation-based technology to help accelerate the move away from petrochemicals in our food, cosmetics and medicines. Our ingredients are used by more than 250 million consumers in over 2,000 of the worlds’ leading brands.
R&D at Client X is a highly multidisciplinary effort and the Bioinformatics, Automation and Software Engineering (BASE) group is at its core driving us forward. Every aspect of our work, from modifying the DNA of microorganisms in the lab to full scale factory production, is facilitated by software and hardware automation. In addition, we collaborate daily with data scientists and computational biologists to use our wealth of data to solve problems using machine learning and other optimization techniques. Our tools integrate the activities of scientists, engineers, and industrial robots to enable the rapid optimization of genetic designs and laboratory processes to deliver high quality ingredients to our customers.
Among the tools we have developed are a CAD/CAM system for genetic engineering: a compiler toolchain whose target architecture is life itself. This stack physically integrates high level genetic modules into microbial hosts. We also derive novel strains through random mutagenesis and directed evolution. Using our custom control platform, we then subject these experimental organisms to high throughput performance screening in our state-of-the-art robotic labs.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop and maintain web-based application written in Python.
  • Collaborate with scientists to transform an understanding of their workflow into designs and implementations of appropriate data models and user interfaces.
  • Effectively communicate with research scientists.
  • Apply best practices of software development throughout your work, while staying abreast of advances in the practice.
Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of professional programming experience
  • Strong coding skills in either Python or a similar language. Ideally deep experience in multiple languages. In addition to Python, Amyris has codebases in F#, R and PHP (phasing out, but still have some important legacy code).
  • Experience with full-stack web application development, including coding skills in JavaScript, CSS and HTML. Relational database design and coding experience. We use PostgreSQL and SQL Server, though we also treat plasmids and chromosomes as datastores.
  • Experience developing software in a Unix environment. Dev tools are chosen at the developer’s discretion, but most of the software development and all production deployment is on Linux (Ubuntu).
  • Fluent Linux command-line skills.
  • Interest and ability to communicate with scientists