Associate Engineer, Process R&D (Biotechnology)

Location: Onsite in Palo Alto, California, USA. Weekend schedule: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Salary: $65,513–$93,590 per year.

Company

hirify.global develops sustainable solutions in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health, and biosciences.

What you will do

• Manage and support the development of a weekend-shift team of non-exempt fermentation technicians.
• Conduct fermentation support activities, including batching, inoculation, sampling, and vessel cleaning.
• Partner with scientists, engineers, and operations teams on research and development projects.
• Troubleshoot fermentation and downstream processing activities and perform root cause investigations.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and follow safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Support continuous improvement and technology transfer from development to manufacturing.

Requirements

• Associate of Science or bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, biological engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Fundamental understanding of fermentation, bioprocessing, or biotechnology principles.
• Experience in a laboratory, pilot plant, or manufacturing environment through internships, research, or professional work.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret technical data.
• Knowledge of process control, statistical analysis, and experimental design, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and technical data analysis tools.
• Ability to work the required Friday–Sunday, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM onsite schedule.

Nice to have

• Exposure to industrial biotechnology, enzyme production, or microbial fermentation.
• Experience with data analytics, process modeling, or statistical software.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative environment focused on innovation, sustainability, and professional growth.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings program with company matching opportunities.
• Paid time off and company-recognized holidays.
• Career development, training, learning, employee assistance, and wellness programs.