Process Engineer

Atum•Newark, CA

14h•$130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Process Engineer At ATUM we are industrializing biotechnology from Genes to Proteins to Cell Lines. ATUM’s tools and solutions are fueling the transformation of biology from a discovery science to a sustainable engineering discipline. By collaborating with our clients, ATUM develops innovative technologies and services to accelerate breakthroughs and move research & development further faster. Our focus on scientist-to-scientist problem solving creates long-term partnerships with our clients. For over 20 years we have been at the intersection of synthetic biology and machine learning and its application across a multitude of industries from pharmaceuticals to biocatalysis to food. ATUM is looking for a Process Engineer. This role is a full time position. Overview We are seeking a Process Engineer to join our synthetic biology team focused on DNA synthesis, Transient Protein Expression, Purification, and Stable Cell Line Development. This role is hands-on and lab-based, centered on bioreactors, Ambr250 systems, plate-based purification platforms, media evaluation, and cell-based assay development. The position supports high-throughput, scalable processes that transition smoothly from R&D into manufacturing.

Requirements

BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field.
7+ years of relevant experience in bioprocess engineering or synthetic biology in industry.
Extensive hands-on experience with bioreactors, Ambr250, automated purification systems, and related instrumentation.
Strong background in mammalian cell culture (HEK, CHO), protein expression, purification, and analytical assays.
Demonstrated ability to develop scalable, automated, or high-throughput processes.
Experience with DOE and data-driven optimization.
Strong communication skills and proficiency in documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with automation platforms including liquid handlers, high-throughput screening tools, and scripting (C#, similar).
Exposure to tech transfer environments.
Familiarity with synthetic biology methods for DNA assembly or protein engineering.
Detail-oriented, quality-driven, and scientifically rigorous.
Innovative and proactive in developing new approaches.
Highly organized, with strong project management skills.
Customer-focused, with a solutions-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and analyze experiments supporting automated upstream and downstream workflows, including bioreactors, Ambr250, and plate-based purification systems.
Bring new instrumentation online by developing, validating, and optimizing workflows and ensuring seamless integration into synthetic biology processes.
Develop and scale bioprocesses from early feasibility through tech transfer, emphasizing reproducibility and automation readiness.
Conduct media evaluations, cell-based assay development, and flow cytometry-based characterization.
Collaborate closely with R&D, bioinformatics, and manufacturing groups to improve workflow performance and reliability.
Apply statistical tools such as DOE to accelerate process optimization.
Write clear technical reports for validation experiments and author SOPs and training documents.
Train team members on newly implemented workflows, instrumentation, and best practices.