Process Technologist

At C16 Biosciences, we believe that palm oil doesn’t have to be a problem. Our team is building a sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to “conflict palm oil,” which relies on tropical rainforest deforestation and emits over 1 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. C16 Bio’s technology platform harnesses naturally-occurring biological processes, improved by the latest innovations in strain engineering, fermentation, and low-cost lipid extraction to produce a better kind of palm oil.
As a Process Technologist you will support all activities relating to the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of our newly established sample generation facility.  You will facilitate the transfer of novel processes developed in the laboratory, and scale them to our sample generation facility. You will be a critical member of a tight-knit R&D team focused on developing a sustainable alternative to palm oil production. This role will be based in Pearl River, NY with occasional travel to our NYC Headquarters.

What you'll do

• Participate in planning and successful execution of process scale up and sample production runs
• Develop SOPs for all fermentation equipment and downstream process unit operations
• Monitor critical process parameters and troubleshoot equipment during processing
• Manage the day-to-day maintenance activities in the facility
• Analyze process samples using OD600, moisture analyzer, HPLC etc.
• Maintain accurate and detailed batch records and data
• Run pilot size equipment and maintain the equipment in good working order
• Interact at all levels of the organization, developing a customer service mindset
• Work with external partners for services and maintenance (i.e., contractors, equipment vendors, facility service providers)
• Review data and analytics to make continuous process improvement at scale
• Comply with safety policies, quality policies and procedures, standard operating procedures, and process transfer

Requirements

• Associates or BS Degree in a technical discipline, or equivalent demonstration of technical capabilities
• 10+ years of experience in chemical or bioprocesses
• 8+ years of pilot plant or manufacturing experience, with hands-on experience in operating pilot fermenters

We're also looking for

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Downstream equipment hands-on operation and maintenance experience
• Experience with plant start-up/commissioning a plus
• Ability to be flexible and work with changing priorities and tight timelines
• Strong appreciation of quality, consistency, and safety of operations
• Organized, self-starter, able to work independently
• Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed due certain operations extending beyond the typical 8-hour workday, or possible weekend work as necessary