1

Upstream Process Development Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary for SAP Upstream Finance Consultant - Specialize in the upstream finance workstream ... developments within PSA. - Provide expertise on SAP Best Practices for business processes and end ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

Upstream Process Development information

See Texas salary details

$17

$24

$34

How much do upstream process development jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for upstream process development in Texas is $24.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.97 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Upstream Process Development, and why are they important?

Success in Upstream Process Development requires a strong background in biology, biochemistry, or chemical engineering, often with an advanced degree and experience in cell culture or fermentation techniques. Familiarity with bioreactors, process control systems, and analytical instrumentation, as well as knowledge of cGMP regulations, is essential. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are important soft skills for optimizing processes and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure efficient development of scalable production processes, maintaining product quality and regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced in upstream process development and how do teams typically address them?

One of the main challenges in upstream process development is optimizing cell culture conditions to consistently achieve high yields and product quality. Teams often encounter variability in biological systems and must troubleshoot issues such as contamination, scale-up inconsistencies, or nutrient limitations. Collaboration with analytical, downstream, and quality teams is essential to identify root causes and implement solutions. Regular data review meetings, cross-functional problem-solving, and continuous process improvement are standard practices to ensure robust upstream processes.

What is upstream process development?

Upstream process development refers to the optimization and scaling of biological production processes that occur before product harvesting. This primarily involves the cultivation of cells or microorganisms to produce a desired product, such as a protein or antibody, in bioreactors. Scientists in this field work on improving cell lines, culture media, and fermentation conditions to maximize yield and quality. Upstream process development is a critical early phase in biomanufacturing, laying the foundation for downstream processing and overall production efficiency.

What is the difference between Upstream Process Development vs Downstream Process Development?

AspectUpstream Process DevelopmentDownstream Process Development
FocusDevelopment of cell culture, fermentation, and bioreactor processesPurification, filtration, and formulation of bioproducts
Skills & CredentialsBioprocess engineering, molecular biology, biochemistryBioprocessing, chromatography, analytical chemistry
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, bioreactors, pilot plantsPurification facilities, labs, quality control
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceutical manufacturingBiotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing

Upstream Process Development focuses on creating and optimizing cell culture and fermentation processes to produce bioproducts. In contrast, Downstream Process Development involves purifying and finishing these products. Both roles are essential in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and require similar scientific backgrounds, but they specialize in different stages of bioprocessing.

What are popular job titles related to Upstream Process Development jobs in Texas? For Upstream Process Development jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Texas are hiring for Upstream Process Development jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Upstream Process Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Upstream Process Development job openings in Texas as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Temporary, and 67% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,381 per year, or $24.7 per hour.
Process Development and Scale - Up Engineer

Process Development and Scale - Up Engineer

ExxonMobil

Houston, TX

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 29 days ago


ExxonMobil rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 220 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 74 rated oil and gas companies


Job description

About us

At ExxonMobil, our vision is to lead in energy innovations that advance modern living and a net-zero future. As one of the world’s largest publicly traded energy and chemical companies, we are powered by a unique and diverse workforce fueled by the pride in what we do and what we stand for.

The success of our Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions businesses is the result of the talent, curiosity and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to optimize our strategy in energy, chemicals, lubricants and lower-emissions technologies. 

We invite you to bring your ideas to ExxonMobil to help create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. Learn more about our What and our Why and how we can work together.

What role you will play in our team

As a Process Development and Scale-Up Engineer, you will play a critical role in translating innovative process concepts into commercially viable technologies. You will lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and develop process configurations aligned with business strategy, and guide scale-up activities.


This role requires a strong foundation in unit operations and reactor design, with an emphasis on practical problem-solving and troubleshooting. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate new technologies into existing operations, assess commercial feasibility, and develop robust scale-up strategies using tools such as advanced modeling, pilot plant experimentation, and scaling data to reduce technical risks needed to ensure successful commercialization.


This posting is open to both recent PhD graduates and experienced hires. While recent graduates are encouraged to apply, experienced hires will be expected to have had process scale-up and troubleshooting roles, particularly in pilot plant operations and reactor systems, and to provide examples when they have leveraged both technical depth and hands-on experience to drive a commercial process development forward. 

Come be part of the team, with opportunities at our Spring, Texas or Baytown, Texas locations

What you will do

Primary job functions include one or more of the following:

  • Identify and screen new process concepts to meet future business needs. Develop options to ensure advantage of technology based on understanding of ExxonMobil and industry wide strategic opportunities

  • Evaluate new process configuration options via flowsheet synthesis to identify leading configuration options which warrant further development

  • Assess how the envisioned technology will best integrate into existing operations and the implications integration has on the process configuration

  • Identify and execute methodology to assess commercial feasibility of the concept before carrying into development

  • Determine key parameters for process scale-up to commercial volumes from the pilot or demo scale. Integrate scale-up and overall development strategy for high complexity developments

  • Establish and execute experimental and/or modeling plans (including building and leveraging appropriate tools) to address critical technical uncertainties in the technology commercialization 

  • Identify and define key process/plant integration issues. Develop plans to address through interfaces with partner projects and/or engineering organization 

  • Optimize process consistent with business/program objectives 

  • Influence and guide product specification setting

  • Actively seek out and engage third parties where they provide competitive advantage as part of the development

About you

Qualifications

  • PhD in Chemical Engineering or equivalent degree/work experience with specific expertise in at least one of the following: process conceptualization and flow 
    sheeting, lab-scale and pilot unit design and operations, unit operations development & design, process scale-up

Preferred Knowledge and Skills 

  • Strong technical fundamentals in chemical engineering, particularly in unit operations, reactor design, and process troubleshooting
  • Demonstrated ability to apply practical, hands-on experience in pilot plant operations and scale-up activities
  • Experience in flowsheet synthesis and process configuration development. Strong skills in Aspen or equivalent flow sheeting software
  • Ability to assess commercial feasibility and integrate new technologies into existing operations
  • Experience in technoeconomic analysis of current and novel processes
  • Proven problem-solving skills and critical thinking, especially in high-complexity development environments
  • Strong analytical, communication and collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams and varying levels of scale-up
Your benefits

An ExxonMobil career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life.


We offer you: 

  • Pension Plan: Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you. The basic benefit is a monthly annuity to be paid to you in retirement for the rest of your life

  • Savings Plan: You can contribute between 6% and 20% of your pay and are encouraged to enroll right away. If you contribute at least 6% to your savings plan, the Company will contribute a 7% match

  • Workplace Flexibility: We have several programs such as “Flex your Day”, providing ad-hoc flexibility around when and where you work, as well as longer-term programs such as leaves of absence and part-time work

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans. 

  • Culture of Health: Programs and resources to support your wellbeing

  • Employee Health Advisory Program: Provides confidential professional counseling for you and your family, including tools and resources promoting mental health and resiliency at no additional cost to you

  • Disability Plan: Income replacement for when you cannot work due to illness or injury occurring on or off the job. Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you

More information on our Company’s benefits can be found at www.exxonmobilfamily.com

Please note benefits may be changed from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law

Stay connected with us

Learn more at our website

Follow us on LinkedIN and Instagram

Like us on Facebook 

Subscribe our channel at YouTube

EEO statement

ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.

Nothing herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of local entities. Working relationships discussed herein do not necessarily represent a reporting connection, but may reflect a functional guidance, stewardship, or service relationship. 

Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Esso and Mobil. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and terms like corporation, company, our, we and its are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific affiliates or affiliate groups. Abbreviated references describing global or regional operational organizations and global or regional business lines are also sometimes used for convenience and simplicity. Similarly, ExxonMobil has business relationships with thousands of customers, suppliers, governments, and others. For convenience and simplicity, words like venture, joint venture, partnership, co-venturer, and partner are used to indicate business relationships involving common activities and interests, and those words may not indicate precise legal relationships.


What ExxonMobil employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom