Process Development Engineer, Pilot Plant

About Pivot Bio:  

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of the soil microbiome, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in agriculture. Our products harness the power of naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops and new sustainable ways for farmers to reduce the usage of fertilizers as they work to help feed the world’s growing population.

Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour. 

Position: Process Development Engineer, Pilot Plant. 

We are looking for a Process Development Engineer in fermentation technology who thrives on the challenge of working in a pilot plant setting and developing processes from fermentation to various liquid or dry prototypes or finished products, to ensure success at commercial scale. This is a hands-on position working with a growing team in Fermentation and Formulation (F&F) involving operations of Downstream Processing (DSP) such as biomass recovery, dry or liquid formulation and assisting with fermentation as needed. If this is you, you will enjoy the satisfaction of being a crucial member of a growing team innovating the most cutting-edge products in Ag Biologicals.       

Responsibilities:  

• Process development and equipment operations in pilot plant setting, including centrifugation, filtration, spray drying, fluid bed drying, and freeze drying, mixers, liquid packaging, and fermentation.   
• Technical transfer of developed processes to manufacturing scale. 
• Record, analyze, and report data. 
• Maintain pilot plant equipment. 
• Work closely with facilities, contractors, vendors to ensure all utilities for pilot plant operations are available for uninterrupted operations. 
• Travel required in support of technical transfer projects. 

 Physical Demands:  

• Able to perform physically repetitive tasks like handling of bladders of 20 LB, biomass harvesting, equipment operations  
• Experience in applying aseptic techniques, growing requirements, and good documentation practices 
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively perform tasks safely in a pilot plant setting  
• Able to successfully execute processes in accordance with SOPs  
• Good understanding of research project planning, experimental design, and data collection 
• Familiar with sterile/aseptic technique for handling microbes  
• Ability to understand the needs of others and clearly explain ideas  

Qualifications and Experience:  

• Post-secondary education with 5 plus years of relevant industry experience 
• Demonstrated ability with DSP processes, Fermentation processes is a plus 
• Mechanical aptitude, and ability to manipulate heavy equipment pieces safely in place 
• Experienced with laboratory information management systems 
• Experienced with equipment acquisition and validation 

*Must be authorized to work in the United States  

What we offer: 

• Competitive package in a disruptive startup 
• Stock options 
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance with employer-paid premiums 
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability policies 
• Employee Assistance Program with free referrals and discounts 
• 401(k) plan, 3% Match 
• Commuter benefits 
• Annual Training & Development support 
• Flexible vacation policy with a generous holiday schedule 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team 

Hiring Compensation Range: $92,812 - $103,125

This salary range for this Berkeley, CA, Hayward, CA or Boston, MA based position incorporates a premium for the cost of labor in this area.  If this role is hired remotely of one of Pivot facilities, contact compensation for the lower range for National Benchmark.  Following employment, growth beyond the hiring range is possible based on performance.