Process Engineer

 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 motivated Process Engineer to join our growing organization. As a key member of the pilot fermentation facility at Lygos, you will report to the Director of Fermentation and work closely with another Process Engineer on the team to support day to day operations of our pilot scale fermentations. You will support the fermentation team in maintenance and repair of fermentation equipment and contribute to the development of automation tools for the team. 

Role & Responsibilities:

• Regularly inspect, maintain, and repair fermentation systems and supporting process equipment.
• Assist in execution of pilot scale fermentation operations, including fermenter and media preparation, sampling and monitoring, harvest, and cleaning.
• Perform data analysis and engage in technical discussions and research planning.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts to determine root causes of manufacturing deviations.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of process documentation, including SOPs, batch records, and maintenance records.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, driving training and workflow improvements to achieve high-quality, robust, and efficient operations.
• Contribute to the development of automation tools and data pipelines to augment operational workflows 
• Develop, test, and implement batch recipe scripting for fermentation experiment workflow

Qualifications and Experience: 

• B.S. in Chemical Engineer, Bioengineering, or related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 1-2 years experience in upstream processing in academic or industrial settings, including operating fermentation systems at bench and/or pilot scales.
• Strong hands-on technical abilities for using, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Strong organization skills and proven ability to manage technical projects.
• Previous experience in an environment where safety is a priority

Nice-to-haves (but not required):

• Proficiency with at least one general purpose programming language: Python, Javascript, Visual Basic, C, etc. is a plus. 
• Prior experience and proficiency in writing fermentation scripts for Dasgips, Sartorius and AMBR equipment is a plus. 
• Experience with statistical data analysis and visualization tools, including JMP, R, MATLAB, Tableau, grafana, etc is a plus.
• Experience with automation technologies, including PLC/HMI programming (RSLogix, RSView32, FactoryTalk, CODESYS) and OPC-based communications platforms (Ignition, PI) is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits:

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

Salary Range: $85,000-$115,000 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.