ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Fermentation Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Oath

Fermentation Scientist

Vacaville, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

PhD with 1-5 years of relevant industry experience in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, fermentation science, or a related field. * Hands-on experience with submerged liquid ...

Oath

Fermentation Scientist

Vacaville, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $130K/yr

PhD with 1-5 years of relevant industry experience in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, fermentation science, or a related field. * Hands-on experience with submerged liquid ...

RPMGlobal

SR FLAVOR SCIENTIST

Chico, CA · On-site

$105.30 - $162.69/hr

... Fermentation Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field) required * 7 years of product development experience commercializing beverage products, including scale up, launch preparation, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFermentation Science JobsFermentation Science Jobs in California

Fermentation Science information

See California salary details

$45.4K

$81.6K

$118.9K

How much do fermentation science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for fermentation science in California is $81,575.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,100.00 and $93,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is fermentation science?

A Fermentation Science job involves studying, optimizing, and applying microbial processes to produce food, beverages, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. Professionals in this field work in industries like brewing, dairy, biotechnology, and medicine, focusing on fermentation techniques, quality control, and product development. They may also conduct research to improve fermentation efficiency and sustainability. Jobs can range from laboratory research and production management to regulatory roles ensuring safety and compliance.

What does a fermentation scientist do?

A typical day in Fermentation Science often involves monitoring ongoing fermentations, running laboratory analyses, troubleshooting process issues, and maintaining detailed records of experiments or production batches. Professionals frequently collaborate with quality assurance teams, production staff, and sometimes research and development departments to optimize products or processes. It's common to split time between hands-on laboratory or production floor work and desk-based tasks like data analysis and reporting. The work environment is dynamic and requires adaptability to shifting priorities and production demands, making strong communication and organizational skills crucial for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in fermentation science?

A successful career in Fermentation Science typically requires a solid background in biology, chemistry, and microbiology, usually with a relevant degree such as fermentation science, food science, or microbiology. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, fermentation monitoring software, and adherence to safety protocols and quality standards is highly valued, and certifications like HACCP can be beneficial. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork and communication skills are essential soft skills in this field. These skills enable professionals to efficiently manage complex fermentation processes, ensure product quality, and contribute to innovation in food, beverage, or bio-industrial settings.

How do you become a fermentation scientist?

To become a fermentation scientist, typically a bachelor's degree in microbiology, biochemistry, or a related field is required, often followed by a master's or Ph.D. for advanced roles. Gaining experience with fermentation processes, laboratory skills, and knowledge of microbial cultures and bioreactors is essential, along with familiarity with analytical tools and safety protocols.

How much do fermentation science professionals make?

Fermentation science professionals' salaries vary based on experience, education, and location, but entry-level positions typically start around $40,000 to $50,000 annually. With experience and specialized skills, such as brewing or microbiology expertise, salaries can increase to $70,000 or more. Many roles also offer opportunities for advancement into research, quality control, or management positions.

What can you do with a fermentation science degree?

A fermentation science degree prepares individuals for careers in brewing, winemaking, distilling, and food fermentation industries. Graduates can work as brewers, quality control specialists, product development scientists, or fermentation technicians, often utilizing laboratory skills and knowledge of microbiology and chemistry. Certification and hands-on experience can enhance job prospects in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fermentation Science jobs in California?

The most popular types of Fermentation Science jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Fermentation Science jobs in California?

For Fermentation Science jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Fermentation Science jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Fermentation Science jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Fermentation Science jobs?

Cities in California with the most Fermentation Science job openings:

Fermentation Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fermentation Science job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,575 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Fermentation Scientist

Oath

Vacaville, CA • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About Oath:
Oath is a leading microbial sciences company that utilizes natural soil biology to offer innovative solutions to some of the most critical challenges facing our planet - the climate crisis and the shift to sustainable agriculture. We imagine a world where these crises are not just alleviated, but reversed, replenishing Earth's microbiomes.
Our solution has moved beyond the lab and into real-world deployment, focused on improving farmer livelihoods with teams in Rwanda, Europe, the United States, and expanding. When you join Oath, you become part of a collaborative network that prioritizes high quality scientific work. You will be working alongside trained scientists, talented commercial teams, and a broad network of partners-an ecosystem designed to help you do your best work and grow your capabilities.
Position Summary:
The Fermentation Scientist will develop, optimize, and scale microbial fermentation processes across submerged liquid fermentation (SmF), solid-state fermentation (SSF), and downstream processing (DSP). This role will have a particular focus on Streptomyces and will help translate laboratory processes into robust, scalable manufacturing processes.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop and optimize submerged liquid fermentation and solid-state fermentation processes.
  • Design and execute fermentation experiments from bench scale through scale-up.
  • Develop robust cultivation processes for Streptomyces and other microbial strains.
  • Optimize media, inoculum strategies, growth conditions, productivity, yield, and process consistency.
  • Develop and improve downstream processing (DSP) approaches for microbial biomass and product recovery.
  • Troubleshoot fermentation and DSP performance and identify key drivers of process variability.
  • Support process scale-up and technology transfer to internal manufacturing teams and external CDMOs.
  • Develop process documentation, protocols, batch records, and technical reports.
  • Analyze experimental and manufacturing data and translate findings into actionable process improvements.
  • Collaborate closely with microbiology, formulation, manufacturing, quality, and external partners.

Qualifications:
  • PhD with 1-5 years of relevant industry experience in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, fermentation science, or a related field.
  • Hands-on experience with submerged liquid fermentation and solid-state fermentation.
  • Experience cultivating Streptomyces or closely related filamentous microorganisms.
  • Experience with downstream processing (DSP) and microbial biomass or product recovery.
  • Experience with fermentation scale-up and technology transfer is a plus.
  • Experience managing R&D vendors, CROs, CDMOs, or other external technical partners is a plus.
  • Ability to travel up to 10% of the time domestically and internationally (Europe & Africa).
  • Familiarity with GoogleSuite, Excel, Slack and similar tools is a plus

Location: Hybrid, Regular laboratory presence at Oath's Vacaville, California site (at least 3 days per week).
Job Type: Full-time, exempt position in the United States. At this time, Oath, Inc. is not able to provide visa sponsorship or work authorization support.
Compensation: $100,000 - $130,000/year + equity
Benefits:
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Stock options

Apply