Fermentation Engineer
About The Position
Manus works across industries and value chains to accelerate the transition to BioAlternatives – better performing and more sustainable versions of complex molecules traditionally sourced from plants, animals, or fossil fuels. Our platform is proven to work across scales, bridging the Valley of Death between lab and manufacturing more efficiently and more reliably to deliver the benefits of synthetic biology today. We are seeking a Fermentation Engineer II or Senior Fermentation Engineer to be a part of our process development team. This role focuses on fermentation science and development to bring new commercial bioprocesses through the Manus R&D pipeline. The Fermentation Engineer is responsible for the design, development, optimization, and scale-up of microbial fermentation processes to produce bio-alternatives, applying fundamental microbial physiology and fermentation science knowledge to achieve applied bioprocess objectives. This role bridges R&D and manufacturing, leading fermentation development from lab through pilot and commercial scales while ensuring robust, cost-effective, and scalable operations. This hands-on position requires a desire and ability to work as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, as well as the demonstration of a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and initiative. This person will be expected to play an integral part of Manus’s process development team located in Augusta, GA.
Requirements
- PhD in Fermentation Sciences, Engineering or related field OR MS with 8+ years or BS with 13+ years relevant experience
- Expertise in bench and pilot-scale fermentation process development
- Expertise in microbial physiology
- Critical thinker with enthusiasm for deriving solutions to complex challenges
Nice To Haves
- Experience with analytical instrumentation (GC, LC)
- Experience in scale-up of fermentation processes from lab-scale to pilot plant and/or production-scale
Responsibilities
- Contribute with development of experimental plans
- Set up, operate, and monitor lab- and pilot-scale bioreactors (e.g., 1–4000 L scale)
- Prepare media, inoculum, and sterile systems using aseptic techniques
- Execute fermentation runs following SOPs and experimental plans
- Troubleshoot basic process deviations (e.g., contamination, pH drift, DO issues)
- Assist in developing fermentation strategies (batch, fed-batch, continuous)
- Perform optimization studies (media composition, feeding strategies, temperature, pH)
- Support scale-up activities from bench to pilot scale
- Collect and analyze process data to improve performance metrics (yield, titer, productivity)
- Perform routine sampling and analyze fermentation parameters (OD, cell density, metabolites)
- Maintain accurate experimental records (ELN or lab notebooks)
- Use data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Python, or similar) to interpret results
- Prepare summaries, reports, and presentations of experimental findings
- Maintain and calibrate fermentation and analytical equipment
- Ensure proper cleaning, sterilization (CIP/SIP), and maintenance of bioreactors
- Assist with installation and qualification of new equipment
- Follow safety, quality, and regulatory guidelines (e.g., GMP where applicable)
- Maintain SOPs and batch records
- Support audits and documentation requirements
- Work with molecular biology, downstream processing, and analytics teams
- Support technology transfer to manufacturing teams
- Communicate results effectively to internal stakeholders
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
