Principal Engineer, Director of Manufacturing

Biosphere • Oakland, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced engineer to lead the design, construction, and commissioning of our demonstration-scale biomanufacturing facility in the Bay Area. This FOAK facility will prove out our UV sterilization technology and serve our first customers. You will own this project from detailed engineering through startup and into steady-state operations. This role is expected to be in person or >50% time on site.

Requirements

• Direct experience leading the design, build, commissioning, and startup of a pilot, demo, or production-scale facility.
• 10+ years of experience in bioprocessing or related process industries.
• Strong fundamentals in fermentation, downstream processing, and/or CIP/SIP systems.
• Hands-on experience managing equipment vendors, contractors, and procurement.
• Ability to read and develop engineering drawings including P&IDs, mechanical layouts, and electrical schematics.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment with limited infrastructure.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with emerging technologies
• Familiarity with automation and controls systems
• Exposure to DOW or government-funded R&D programs.
• Previous startup experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the detailed engineering design of the demonstration facility, including P&IDs, equipment specifications, and facility layout.
• Lead procurement of major process equipment (bioreactors, DSP equipment, CIP systems, utilities, instrumentation) and manage vendor relationships.
• Coordinate with contractors and trades during construction and installation.
• Lead commissioning, qualification, and startup of all process systems.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, process, and controls issues as they come up during construction and commissioning.
• Translate bench and pilot-scale designs into a production-ready facility.
• Build the operational foundation for running the facility.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation through a mix of salary and equity.
• Paid vacation and sick/leave days + public holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance for employees and their dependents, including dental and vision.
• Paid family leave.
• Memberships at Pacific Pipe Climbing gym next door.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees