Senior Bioprocess & Scale-up Engineer (Industrial Fermentation)

Gamma Recruitment; Aragón; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Indefinite contract

Competitive salary

Growth opportunities

Strategic role

Job summary

Gamma Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior Bioprocess & Scale-up Engineer to lead the scale-up from pilot production (200 L) to our first industrial fermentation facility in Spain, including feedstock pre-treatment, a 100,000 L production fermenter, and downstream processing.

You will collaborate with R&D and Management to design robust, cost-effective, and scalable production processes, maximize efficiency, reduce operational risks, and ensure long-term reliable operation.

Qualifications

• BSc and/or MSc in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Biotechnology or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in industrial process engineering, preferably in fermentation, biotechnology, food, pharmaceutical or chemical industries.
• Proven experience participating in industrial plant design, construction, commissioning or scale-up projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the scale-up strategy from pilot plant to industrial production.
• Design, specify, procure, install and commission the company's first industrial fermentation plant.
• Define process requirements, process flow, equipment specifications and plant layouts for feedstock pre-treatment, fermentation and downstream processing.
• Evaluate and select equipment suppliers and engineering contractors.
• Oversee equipment installation, commissioning and start-up activities.
• Optimize process performance to improve productivity, reduce operating costs and minimize capital investment.
• Identify technical risks during scale-up and implement mitigation strategies.
• Provide engineering guidance for pilot plant trials to generate reliable scale-up data.
• Develop mass and energy balances, process flow diagrams (PFDs), P&IDs and process specifications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including R&D, Management and external engineering partners.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality and environmental regulations throughout the project.
• Participate in grant applications and prepare technical documentation for public funding agencies.
• Conduct technology scouting and evaluate emerging processing technologies.
• Contribute to long-term manufacturing strategy and future capacity expansion projects throughout Spain.
• Develop technical and economic assessments to support investment decisions (CAPEX/OPEX optimization).

Skills

Industrial fermentation

Scale-up

Process design

PFDs & P&IDs

Mass & energy balances

CAPEX/OPEX optimization

Project management

Data analysis

Communication skills

English & Spanish

Education

BSc/MSc in Chemical Engineering

Industrial/bioprocess related discipline

Tools

Process simulation

SCADA

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Bioprocess & Scale-up Engineer to join our groundbreaking project in the field of alternative protein sources. Our company brings together an established food business and a leading technology center, and we are looking for a professional who will play a key role in transforming our pilot-scale technology into a commercially viable industrial process.

This position is ideal for someone with strong expertise in industrial fermentation processes, process engineering, and industrial plant design, who can help us minimize technical risks, optimize production efficiency, and ensure a successful industrial deployment.

What you will do

As our Senior Bioprocess & Scale-up Engineer, you will lead the engineering activities required to transition from pilot-scale production (200 L) to our first industrial fermentation facility in Spain, including feedstock pre-treatment (e.g., hydrolysis), a complete fermentation train from seed fermenters to a 100,000 L production fermenter, together with the associated downstream processing equipment. The production process will involve the valorisation and bioconversion of a wide range of agri-food by-products as feedstocks, requiring the development of robust and flexible process solutions to accommodate different raw material characteristics. Working closely with the R&D and Management teams, you will provide the technical expertise needed to design robust, cost-effective and scalable production processes.

Your mission will be to maximize process efficiency, reduce operational risks, optimize production costs and ensure that the industrial plant is designed for reliable long-term operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the scale-up strategy from pilot plant to industrial production.
• Design, specify, procure, install and commission the company's first industrial fermentation plant.
• Define process requirements, process flow, equipment specifications and plant layouts for feedstock pre-treatment, fermentation and downstream processing.
• Evaluate and select equipment suppliers and engineering contractors.
• Oversee equipment installation, commissioning and start-up activities.
• Optimize process performance to improve productivity, reduce operating costs and minimize capital investment.
• Identify technical risks during scale-up and implement mitigation strategies.
• Provide engineering guidance for pilot plant trials to generate reliable scale-up data.
• Develop mass and energy balances, process flow diagrams (PFDs), P&IDs and process specifications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including R&D, Management and external engineering partners.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality and environmental regulations throughout the project.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in grant applications and prepare technical documentation for public funding agencies.
• Conduct technology scouting and evaluate emerging processing technologies.
• Contribute to long-term manufacturing strategy and future capacity expansion projects throughout Spain.
• Develop technical and economic assessments to support investment decisions (CAPEX/OPEX optimization).

What we are looking for

We are looking for a proactive engineer who enjoys solving complex industrial challenges and has a strong understanding of scaling bioprocesses from pilot to commercial production. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise with practical engineering judgement and excellent project management skills.

Qualifications & Experience

• BSc and/or MSc in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Biotechnology or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in industrial process engineering, preferably in fermentation, biotechnology, food, pharmaceutical or chemical industries.
• Proven experience participating in industrial plant design, construction, commissioning or scale-up projects.
• Experience working with Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors and equipment suppliers is highly desirable.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in industrial fermentation processes and scale-up activities, including process design, equipment selection, commissioning or operation of large-scale bioprocessing facilities.
• Experience designing and optimizing industrial production processes.
• Solid knowledge of upstream and downstream processing.
• Experience preparing equipment specifications and evaluating technical proposals.
• Knowledge of process simulation, mass and energy balances, PFDs and P&IDs.
• Strong understanding of CAPEX/OPEX optimization and process economics.
• Ability to identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in English and Spanish (written and spoken).

Desirable

• Experience with microbial protein production, precision fermentation, brewing, or other relevant fermentation-based industries will be highly valued.
• Knowledge of SCADA and industrial automation systems.
• Familiarity with GMP, food or biotechnology regulations.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).

What we offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and an indefinite contract.
• A unique opportunity to drive the scale-up of an innovative alternative protein technology from pilot to commercial production.
• A strategic role with a high level of responsibility and decision-making within a well-established company committed to industrial innovation and sustainability.
• A collaborative and multidisciplinary working environment with excellent opportunities for professional growth.