Prolific Machines is on a mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. We believe that we have the only solution to make cultured meat at a price that is competitive with factory farming. We are looking for mission-driven, skilled, and kind people to help create the alternative we need to transition to a more sustainable and healthy future.

Diversity: We value diverse people, perspectives, and knowledge. To this end, we aim to foster a sense of belonging that enables everyone to bring their whole, authentic self to work everyday. We are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive team that encompasses all types of people. We believe this can only be achieved by acknowledging the ancestral, historic, and current systemic and communal inequities.

Prolific Machines is a biotech startup on a mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. We believe that we have the only solution to make cultured meat at a price that is competitive with factory farming. We are looking for mission-driven, skilled, and kind people to help create the alternative we need to transition to a more sustainable, healthy, and tasty future.

Diversity: We value diverse people, perspectives, and knowledge. To this end, we aim to foster a sense of belonging that enables everyone to bring their whole, authentic self to work every day. We are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive team that encompasses all types of people. We believe this can only be achieved by acknowledging the ancestral, historic, and current systemic and communal inequities.

The Position:

With the goal to provide the appropriate infrastructure for manufacturing, the Principal Bioprocess Design Engineer will be responsible for implementing Prolific Machine's unique bioprocess technologies. Specifically, this engineer will design, procure, and test equipment for upstream unit operations centered around animal cell culture and recovery operations and will build the associated facilities towards future cost-effective commercial-scale manufacturing.

You will work closely with the Bioprocess Development (BPD) Group, equipment vendors and external collaborators or partners to design and fabricate scalable prototypes for key enabling process equipment and to bring efficiency, strategic differentiation, and ultimate profitability to our production platform. Success in this position will require the ability to work seamlessly across office, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments. Strong project management in addition to process engineering skills will be necessary to lead complex projects.

Responsibilities:

• Work with bioprocess development colleagues to identify and define scalable process systems and translate into detailed equipment specifications.
• Design and manage fabrication, installation and commissioning of upstream process equipment towards robust and highly dependable aseptic processing by using appropriate design standards, levels of control and automation.
• Generate process and cost models to identify key drivers of cost and efficiency and cost-versus-performance envelopes for key process equipment.
• Develop project capital requirements and objectives through creation of proposals and plans with appropriate work breakdown structures (WBS)
• Preparing manufacturing facility layouts and cost estimates.
• Selecting and working with Architecture & Engineering (A&E) firms on more detailed design packages and documentation.
• Site selection and design and specification of utility requirements.
• Equipment supplier and construction company selection.
• Specify project scope, timelines, resourcing, and budget needs.
• Track and complete projects by managing schedules, costs, and quality of execution.
• Commission new equipment and facilities in partnership with Process Development and Manufacturing personnel. In the near term, lead execution of the pilot plant start-up currently under construction in Emeryville, CA.
  
  

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Food Science or related field with 10+ years of related experience in bioprocess equipment design, modeling, facility design, construction, and commissioning.
• Ability to apply biochemical engineering principles and computer-aided methods to equipment design, fabrication, and operation.
• Strong background in bioreactor design, theory, and operation as well as bioprocess equipment, facility design, and economics in general.
• Understanding of aseptic techniques and control of microbial contamination
• Project engineering and management, including direct management of architectural and engineering design firms, equipment vendors and construction contractors to manage all aspects of large-scale capital projects.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work in cross functional teams, meet deadlines, and prioritize multiple projects.
• Strong organizational and general communication skills.
• Ability to partner cross-functionally on proprietary process technologies, while also developing and leveraging successful external contacts and relationships.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfortable with working directly on process equipment and control systems.
  
  

In addition, you recognize yourself in the following:

• You come with creative, cost-effective solutions to pull in timelines and get to production scale in the shortest time frame.
• You have an extensive network in - and knowledge of - the bioprocess supplier and bioprocess manufacturing engineering ecosystem.
• You combine a curious and open mind to innovative approaches with a knowledge of what works.
• You are hands-on and on top of the execution.
  
  

What we offer:

Start Date & Location: The San Francisco Bay Area, starting within the next 2 months.

Salary Range: $160,000 - $210,000 (depending on experience)

Additional compensation: Stock options (subject to vesting), performance-based bonus, and free lunch and drinks every day!

Benefits: Outstanding Health, Vision & Dental Insurance (including full spouse coverage), coverage of visa and relocation costs, at least one all-expense-paid team holiday per year, fully flexible work hours and unlimited vacation days.

Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville)

Compensation: Competitive salary (bi-weekly payments), stock options (subject to vesting), performance-based bonus, and free lunch every day!

Benefits: Outstanding Health, Vision & Dental Insurance (including full spouse coverage), at least one all-expense-paid team holiday per year, flexibility in schedule and unlimited vacation days.

Evaluation: In lieu of the traditional application process of a CV and cover letter, we would rather give you an opportunity to tell us about yourself on your own terms by answering the below three questions. How you answer these is up to you: in words (narrative or otherwise), video, or visually. However, we do ask that it is concise (e.g less than 200 words for written answers). If applying by video or visually please send your application to jobs@prolific-machines.com.