Process Development Engineer II

About Lygos

Lygos is an industrial biotechnology company developing biobased sustainable solutions to improve everyday products. Our technology platform enables better economics and unlocks the power of organic acids specialty chemicals, enabling our partners to offer sustainable alternatives to legacy petroleum-based plastics, fragrances, home and personal care products, and more.

About the Position

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated process development engineer to join our growing organization. As a member of the Downstream and Scale up team, you will enable the process development of our biodegradable functional polymers. You will be responsible for understanding the chemistry and applying chemical engineering principles to efficiently develop scalable, economical processes for scale up. This is a hands-on position with primary responsibilities around lab/pilot-scale data generation to enable the rapid transitioning of the technology from development, through tech transfer, and into routine manufacturing operation. In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to our mission of producing sustainable products, enable existing products to elevate their market share and establish new performance products and brands. You will also get to experience working in a collaborative team environment!

Role & Responsibilities:

• Develop processes for producing Lygos’ functional polymers 
• Plan and execute lab/pilot scale experiments to test and optimize process conditions
• Prepare and submit samples for characterization and analysis using both internal and external resources
• Collect/analyze data and present findings in group meetings
• Prepare block flow diagrams and process flow diagrams
• Assist in the development of mass and energy balances
• Assist scale-up engineers with commercial process design and techno-economic models for Lygos’ processes to produce our functional polymers
• Assist in the development of product specifications and quality control methods to ensure reliable product performance in target applications
• Identify, procure, and integrate suitable lab/pilot test equipment for development of production processes
• Perform process development tests to optimize process conditions and gather data for process design
• Assist in the planning and execution of external lab/pilot-scale trials with equipment manufacturers to gather data for process design
• Support the safe and efficient transfer of processes to commercial manufacturing sites
• Support development and integration of commercial equipment for production of functional polymers

Qualifications & Experience: 

• BS/MS in Chemical Engineering with 3+ years of experience in chemical process development, process design, and/or specialty chemical manufacturing 
• Hands-on experience developing chemical process at lab/pilot scale
• Solid fundamental knowledge of chemical engineering principles and unit operations, such as batch and continuous reactors, distillation/evaporation, crystallization, extractions, filtration, adsorption, centrifugation, chromatography, etc
• Motivated self-starter with a sense of urgency that is comfortable in a fast-paced, multitasking environment
• Superb organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Collaborative, analytical, and data-driven
• The highest regard for safety, respect for people, and ethical behavior
• Ability to travel for process/equipment trials onsite support (~20%)

Nice-to-haves (but not required):

• Experience developing and/or scaling up polymerization processes 
• Experience scaling up processes to manufacturing scale
• Experience executing pilot trials with contract manufacturing partners and/or equipment manufacturers
• Experience in agricultural applications and consumer product applications

Lygos offers highly competitive salaries and benefits, including medical and dental insurance, paid time off, and 401(k).

Salary Range: $108-120k -  Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location, skill, experience, and performance. 

The benefits and stock purchase described above are subject to the terms and conditions of any governing plans, policies, practices, agreements, or other materials or documents as in effect from time to time, including but not limited to terms and conditions regarding eligibility.

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor individuals for employment visas for this job. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

This position is based in our Hayward, CA location. There is no relocation assistance offered at this time.