Process Engineer

Piper Maddox is partnering with an exciting biotechnology energy company based in California, that uses engineered microalgae to produce low-carbon liquid fuels at commercial scale. They are currently growing operations, engineering, and science teams, and are looking for a Process Engineer that will help bring the technology online. This is a rare opportunity to help launch a new category in the multi-billion-dollar SAF and liquid-fuels markets from the ground up.

Responsibilities

Lead hands-on downstream processing operations, including dewatering, centrifugation, filtration, cell lysis, and extraction to support pilot-scale production and commercial scale-up; Support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization of process equipment while responding to operational issues and implementing process improvements; Analyze production data, investigate process deviations, and drive continuous improvements to maximize reliability, efficiency, and product quality; Develop and maintain SOPs, batch records, operating procedures, and other process documentation to ensure safe and consistent plant operations; Partner with engineering, R&D, and operations teams to scale the microalgae platform into commercial renewable diesel and SAF production while growing into operations leadership and mentoring junior team members

Requirements

4–8 years in process engineering, ideally downstream bioprocessing — algae, fermentation, food/feed, or comparable bio-based manufacturing; Genuinely hands-on — running the equipment, not just specifying it. Dewatering, centrifugation, filtration, lysis, extraction at pilot or commercial scale; Has supported commissioning and start-up work and can troubleshoot deviations as first responder; Disciplined on documentation — SOPs, batch records, run data — and can turn performance data into improvements; Comfortable in an outdoor production environment and with the physical side of the work; Will grow into schedule and operations management as the technician team builds out, with scope to mentor a junior engineer

Nice to have

Chemical engineering degree