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Fermentation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 · On-site

$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 ...

Actalent

Winery Lab Technician

Acampo, CA

$21 - $26.75/hr

Monitor fermentation kinetics by tracking Brix reduction, temperature trends, and potential volatile acidity (VA) risk indicators, and escalate concerns as needed. * Perform routine wine chemistry ...

Actalent

Winery Lab Technician

Acampo, CA

$21 - $26.75/hr

Monitor fermentation kinetics by tracking Brix reduction, temperature trends, and potential volatile acidity (VA) risk indicators, and escalate concerns as needed. * Perform routine wine chemistry ...

Scratch Bakery Cafe

Bread Baker

Newport Beach, CA

$19 - $25/hr

Minimum 3 years of professional bread baking experience (artisan preferred) Strong understanding of fermentation, hydration, shaping, and scoring techniques Ability to lift 50 lbs and stand for long ...

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Fermentation information

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How much do fermentation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 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 is a fermentation?

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 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 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 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 August 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.

Research Associate, Fermentation

Debut Biotech

San Diego, CA • On-site

$21 - $26.44/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

About Debut
Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do-setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world. Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.
Research Associate, Fermentation
Summary
Debut Biotechnology is seeking a Research Associate to aid in microbial fermentation processes for small molecule production. This individual should be versed in fermentation science and have a basic understanding of microbial physiology, secondary metabolism, and biosynthetic pathways. The ideal candidate would be an energetic, adaptive, creative, and highly self-motivated individual who enjoys undertaking complex challenges both individually and as part of a team. The successful candidate will interact closely with molecular biologists, chemists, and engineers and will be directly responsible for bench-scale bioreactor operation and small molecule product analysis. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills are essential due to the highly collaborative nature of the position.
Essential Functions
  • Design and execution of fermentation experiments across multiple volumes
  • Optimization of fermentation operations by controlling numerous parameters
  • Maintenance of bench-scale bioreactors
  • Preparation of media, buffers, and chemical solutions
  • Product sampling and chemical/microbiological analysis
  • Bioreactor and laboratory material cleaning and sterilization
  • Data processing and statistical analysis to maximize understanding of strain performance
  • High throughput experiment optimization across multiple reaction volumes
  • Evening/nights and weekend work may be required on occasions

Education and Experience
Required:
  • Bachelor's Degree; OR Associate's Degree + 2 years of experience; OR HS Diploma/GED + 4 years of experience
  • Attention to detail and meticulous record keeping
  • Intermediate/advanced Excel skills
  • Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects

Preferred:
  • Experience with small molecule fermentation via genetically engineered organisms is a plus
  • Experience applying molecular biology techniques is a plus
  • Experience using statistical software to analyze large datasets is a plus
  • Experience understanding and running advanced experimental designs is a plus
  • Experience interpreting fermentation's product and byproduct results is a plus

Essential Physical Characteristics
The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
  • Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck.
  • Frequent: sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers.
  • Frequently uses hands to feel objects or control tools (e.g. pipetting). Laboratory operations require dexterity and care to perform studies as required.
  • Occasional: walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and occasional lifting and carrying of files or material weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Must be willing to work with biohazardous agents (up to BSL2).
  • The R&D laboratory will result in exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, limited dust, and oily coolants.
  • The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, appropriate attire, safety shoes, hard hat, hearing protection, etc.

Condition of Employment
As part of Debut's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check prior to beginning employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.
Debut is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
Pay Range: $21.00 - $26.44 / hourly

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