Director of Scale-Up and Engineering

Director of Scale Up and Engineering | Imperial County, CA

A venture-backed biotechnology and energy company is seeking a Director of Scale-Up and Engineering to help move its low-carbon liquid fuels technology from pilot scale into commercial operations. Using engineered microorganisms to produce Renewable Diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the company is at an exciting stage of transitioning a proven technology platform into engineering scale-up and commercial deployment.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an experienced process engineer who can help lead the technical development, commissioning, and start-up of a growing pilot operation. The role is based full-time at the company's pilot facility in a rural part of Southern California, roughly two hours east of San Diego. Relocation assistance is available.

What you'll do:

• Lead engineering scale-up and technical execution as the company moves toward commercial operations
• Oversee equipment installation, commissioning, start-up, and facility build-out activities
• Own technical processes including SOPs, mass and energy balances, vendor scope, capital projects, and site safety
• Work closely with vendors and internal teams to bring new processes and equipment online
• Help build and lead the team supporting the growing operation

What we're looking for:

• 10+ years of process engineering experience with strong technical leadership
• Experience in downstream bioprocessing, algae, fermentation, or similar bio-based manufacturing
• Hands-on experience taking equipment or processes from design through operation at pilot or commercial scale
• Proven commissioning and start-up experience, ideally with a facility restart or build-out
• Comfortable working across technical engineering, vendors, capital projects, safety, and team development
• Experience with algae and lipid extraction is ideal, though strong fermentation or bioprocessing scale-up experience will also be considered
• Comfortable working in a startup environment with a small team and remote facility