Process Engineer I (Temporary)

About this role

Amyris applies industrial synthetic biology and process development to produce renewable molecules for health and wellness, flavors and fragrances, and clean beauty applications. This temporary opportunity offers the chance to contribute to meaningful work in a collaborative and innovative environment.

At Amyris, we value that everyone's career journey is unique and authentic to who they are. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply and grow alongside us. You may be just the right candidate for this role or future opportunities with Amyris.

We are seeking an entry-level Process Engineer I for a temporary assignment supporting the Downstream Process Development (DSPD) team. In this role, you will help develop and improve downstream separations and purification processes for recovery of target molecules from fermentation broths. The position will involve executing bench-scale studies on individual unit operations, analyze process performance, support laboratory infrastructure, and contribute to pilot-scale troubleshooting and process transfer activities. Working closely with DSPD team members and cross-functional partners, including Analytical, Fermentation, Quality, Pilot Plant, Operations, and Manufacturing teams. Safety is the highest priority in all aspects of this role.

*This is a fully onsite role based in Emeryville, CA.

Key Responsibilities

Process Development & Experimental Execution

• Develop an understanding of how process performance, product quality, cycle time, material use, waste generation, customer needs, and process economics contribute to company objectives and successful commercialization.

Safety & Compliance

• PPE, waste-handling, hygiene, EHS, and process-safety requirements. Identify and communicate safety concerns, procedural gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

Experimental Execution, Analysis and Troubleshooting

• Collect traceable experimental data; characterize feed, product, and waste streams; and analyze process performance using mass balances, yields, purity, recovery, separation factors, basic statistics, and other relevant KPIs.

• Troubleshoot process, sampling, analytical, and equipment issues; identify practical follow-up studies; and raise questions about operating limitations and scalability in consultation with the project lead.

• Design or assist in designing bench-scale studies, with guidance from DSPD project leads, for downstream unit operations including centrifugation, filtration, extraction, distillation or evaporation, process chromatography, crystallization, and drying.

Pilot Plant & Process Transfer Support

• Support pilot-scale operations and process transfer activities through batch-record review, floor support, operating-data analysis, and scale-down or troubleshooting studies under guidance.

Laboratory Infrastructure & Continuous Improvement

• Support the validation and implementation of new equipment, automation, software, analytical tools, and improved laboratory workflows.

• Build effective cross-functional relationships, manage assigned priorities and deliverables, seek and apply feedback, develop new technical skills, and contribute ideas that improve safety, quality, efficiency, or execution.

Documentation & Communication

• Communicate plans, progress, results, conclusions, risks, and recommendations through team discussions, presentations, development reports, process flow diagrams, SOPs, batch records, and other technical documentation.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.

• Up to 3 years of relevant experience, including laboratory, pilot-plant, independent research, co-op, or internship involving experimental execution and quantitative data analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures, maintain accurate records, analyze experimental data, and calculate mass balances, yields, recoveries, or related process KPIs.

• Foundational understanding of transport phenomena, separations, thermodynamics, and basic statistics as applied to process development.

• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in written and verbal formats.

• Working proficiency with Microsoft Excel and willingness to learn additional data-analysis, visualization, and process-development tools as needed.

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-moving environment while managing priorities and incorporating feedback.

• Ability to work fully onsite in Emeryville, CA for the duration of the temporary assignment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with one or more downstream unit operations, including filtration, centrifugation, extraction, distillation or evaporation, chromatography, crystallization, or drying.

• Experience characterizing process streams using measurements such as density, viscosity, solids or sediment analysis, microscopy, optical methods, or chromatography.

• Exposure to pilot-scale operations, regulated or hygiene-controlled work environments, equipment commissioning, SOP development, or process-hazard reviews.

• Exposure to statistical analysis, data-visualization, or process-modeling tools such as JMP, Spotfire, or equivalent software.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.

• Ability to stand for up to 4 hours at a time.

• Ability to climb up to 3 flights of stairs.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is: $36.06 to $46.15.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Amyris is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amyris complies with applicable state and local laws governing…