About the company:
Nature’s Fynd is a Chicago-based food company creating versatile alternative proteins to nourish the world’s growing population while nurturing the planet. Born out of research conducted for NASA on microbes in Yellowstone National Park, the company’s breakthrough technology produces Fy™. Fy is a new-to-the-world, nutritional fungi protein that only uses a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. We use Fy to make delicious, nutritious, and sustainable meat and dairy alternatives.
Nature’s Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Our novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world’s expanding population grows, our mission is to create amazing foods and materials that provide sustainable choices and nurture the planet.
We’re looking for passionate, driven, and ambitious people to join our fast-growing team.
As the Fermentation Process Engineer for Nature’s Fynd, you will be a key member of the Process Engineering team responsible for developing, scaling up, integrating, and optimizing our fermentation technology, at both pilot and commercial scales. The position will work with internal R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams as well as external CMOs. You will be responsible for driving functionality, productivity, and product quality through experimentation, design, and implementation of our fermentation processes
As the Fermentation Process Engineer, you will have the opportunity to design and manage equipment and processes that will help define how Nature’s Fynd achieves its pilot plant implementation, optimization of existing technologies, and subsequent commercialization of new technologies. You will be involved with innovation, execution, and managing fermentation processes that will have a lasting impact on the business. A vast majority of this job will be on site with <25% travel. This position will be based in Chicago
Primary Responsibilities:
Development of new and optimization of existing fermentation and downstream processing (DSP) for Nature’s Fynd fermentation technology, from pilot to commercial scaleEngineer and execute fermentation operating strategies and process control strategies based on a strong understanding of fermentation engineering principlesPlan and execute fermentation experimental design (pilot & commercial scale) ensuring safety, effectiveness, and efficiencyCollect, analyze, and interpret experimental (pilot & commercial scale), and actual production dataOversee equipment selection, modification, procurement, installation, and start-up in relation to fermentationServe as the technical resource with respect to fermentation manufacturing scale-up and operationsEvaluate and optimize the fermentation process for future facilities and CMOs. Participate in technology transfer to subsequent stages of commercial manufacturingIdentify and implement best practices in fermentation scale-up and technology deploymentCommunicate with key stakeholders in R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and relevant third parties. Prepare mass balances, process flow diagrams, piping & instrumentation diagrams, technical, and experimental reports, techno-economic feasibility assessments for communicating work outcomes and future recommendations economic analysis, SOPsProfessional Experience & Qualifications
5+ years in a fermentation process engineering role, supporting piloting, scale-up, and manufacturing, ideally in a food manufacturing environmentIn-depth technical knowledge and extensive hands-on experience with Fermentation processes, Scale-up/scale-down techniques, including bench scale, pilot scale, and commercial scaleKnowledgeable about downstream processing design and equipment selection, Technology transfer, Both laboratory-scale and commercial-scale fermentation operationsDemonstrated hands-on experience in pilot and industrial-scale fermentation of food ingredients. Applied knowledge in statistics, process data analytics, control, and automationBachelor's degree and Master's degree (preferred), in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or similarPersonal Qualifications:
Comfortable working in a startup environment, entrepreneurial mindset, and enthusiasm for innovationEmphasis on personal transparency and accountabilitySelf-motivated with the ability to work independently & with a teamAbility to manage workflow for multiple projects and tasksDetail-oriented, organized and capacity to meet deadlinesAbility to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, across organizational functionsExhibit a strong sense of professional and personal integrityInherent curiosity and creativity in solving problems to understand how things workAbility to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive informationVersatility, flexibility, and willingness to work enthusiastically within changing prioritiesBenefits:
Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Program100% paid employee benefits (medical, dental, vision)Generous Parental leave policyOpportunity to join a company with an aggressive growth trajectory that will revolutionize multiple industriesEngaging and dynamic work culture full of innovation and collaboration with your fellow FyndersCommitment To Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, And Belonging:
Nature’s Fynd views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and valuesEEO Statement:
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law