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Fermentation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Iff

Team Lead - Fermentation Lab

Palo Alto, CA

$74K - $93K/yr

Job Summary Are you passionate about fermentation and ready to combine hands-on lab work with people and operational leadership? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and ...

ProFarm

Intern, Bioprocess

Davis, CA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

SUMMARY : Profarm is seeking a Fermentation Intern to join our Fermentation team. This internship offers the opportunity to get hands-on experience in fermentation, aseptic techniques ...

K Bakery

Bread Baker

Los Angeles, CA

$23 - $25/hr

Evaluate overnight doughs and adjust production based on fermentation, temperature, and dough condition. * Scale, divide, preshape, shape, score, proof, and bake breads. * Mix and prepare doughs ...

K Bakery

Bread Baker

Los Angeles, CA

$23 - $25/hr

Evaluate overnight doughs and adjust production based on fermentation, temperature, and dough condition. * Scale, divide, preshape, shape, score, proof, and bake breads. * Mix and prepare doughs ...

Duckhorn Wine Company

Harvest Cellar Intern

Napa, CA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

Interns will assist with grape processing, fermentation management, and our extensive barrel program, in addition to other essential cellar responsibilities. What we will ask you to do: * Sanitation ...

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How much do fermentation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for fermentation in California is $19.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $20.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Fermentation position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Fermentation, you need a solid background in microbiology, biochemistry, and process engineering, often supported by a relevant science degree or technical training. Familiarity with bioreactor operation, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification is highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top performers apart. These competencies are crucial for optimizing fermentation processes, ensuring product quality, and maintaining compliance in fast-paced production or research environments.

What does a typical day look like for a professional working in fermentation?

A typical day for a fermentation professional often involves monitoring and adjusting fermentation processes, preparing culture media, collecting and analyzing samples, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. You may work closely with quality assurance teams, production staff, and R&D scientists to troubleshoot issues and improve yields. The work environment can range from laboratory settings to industrial production facilities, and you may need to follow strict protocols and documentation practices. Collaboration and adaptability are key, as priorities can shift based on production schedules or unexpected process changes.

What is a Fermentation job?

A fermentation job involves overseeing and managing the process of microbial or enzymatic conversion of substrates into desired products, such as food, beverages, biofuels, or pharmaceuticals. Professionals in this field may work in breweries, biotech firms, or food production facilities, ensuring that fermentation conditions are optimized for efficiency and quality. Responsibilities often include monitoring fermentation parameters, troubleshooting issues, and maintaining production standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fermentation jobs in California? The most popular types of Fermentation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Fermentation jobs in California? For Fermentation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fermentation jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Fermentation jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Fermentation jobs? Cities in California with the most Fermentation job openings:
Fermentation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fermentation job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,990 per year, or $19.7 per hour.
Team Lead - Fermentation Lab

Team Lead - Fermentation Lab

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$74K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

International Flavors & Fragrances rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 535 rated manufacturers

Job description

Job Summary
Are you passionate about fermentation and ready to combine hands-on lab work with people and operational leadership?
IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
Health & Biosciences: Channeling our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life-enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer, and industrial markets.
The role is based in Palo Alto, CA (on-site). You will join a collaborative, safety-focused, hands-on team where technical expertise and operational excellence are highly valued.
Where You'll Make a Difference
- Oversee daily fermentation laboratory operations, spending the majority of time supporting and executing work on the lab floor
- Actively participate in hands-on fermentation activities, including setup, monitoring, sampling, and troubleshooting
- Ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of fermentation processes and experiments
- Provide day-to-day guidance and support to fermentation technicians during lab activities
- Manage administrative responsibilities, including employee management, scheduling, and performance support
- Oversee equipment readiness, usage, and coordination of maintenance within the fermentation lab
- Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and documentation standards
- Partner with scientists and cross-functional teams to support development, optimization, and scale-up efforts
What Makes You the Right Fit
- Bachelor's degree in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field
- Strong hands-on experience with fermentation or bioprocess laboratory operations - Solid understanding of fermentation workflows, equipment, and laboratory best practices
- Experience working in lab environments with a strong focus on safety and quality
- Ability to balance hands-on technical work with administrative responsibilities
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail - Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams
How Would You Stand Out?
- Previous experience leading, mentoring, or coordinating laboratory technicians
- Exposure to pilot-scale or industrial fermentation environments
- Flexibility in working hours to support laboratory and operational needs when required
Why Choose Us?
- Opportunity to remain deeply hands-on while developing leadership capabilities
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment
- Exposure to innovative fermentation technologies and projects
- Professional development and learning opportunities
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and sustainability
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
Salary Ranges:
$74872- $93590

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