Fermentation Technician

Newlight Technologies, Inc.; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Newlight Technologies, Inc. seeks a Fermentation Technician to support bench-scale fermentation operations including preparation, inoculation, sampling, monitoring, harvesting, and cleaning of fermenters.

This role emphasizes safety, quality, and accurate recordkeeping in a fast-paced lab environment. Primary responsibilities include monitoring pH and DO, maintaining batch records, calibrating probes, and assisting with R&D experiments while adhering to SOPs and GMP requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or technical certificate preferred.
• Experience with fermentation or related lab work preferred.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Follow established procedures to ensure consistent lab operations and maintain quality standards.
• Set up, inoculate, operate, sample, monitor, harvest, and clean fermenters.
• Monitor fermentation conditions (pH, DO, feeds) and maintain logs.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments and collect data for experiments.
• Maintain a clean, safe work area and follow GMP/safety procedures.
• Assist scientists and engineers with experimental setup and data collection.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team communication

Problem solving

Laboratory skills

Safety awareness

Documentation

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree or technical certificate

Tools

Fermenters

Autoclaves

pH probes

Laboratory instruments

Job description

The Fermentation Technician supports day-to-day fermentation operations by preparing, inoculating, operating, sampling, monitoring, harvesting, and cleaning bench-scale fermenters. The position performs routine laboratory analyses, maintains accurate records, supports R&D experiments, and processes samples from production fermentation activities in accordance with established procedures, safety requirements, and quality standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow established procedures to ensure consistent laboratory operations, maintain quality standards, and meet R&D and production sample-processing schedules.
• Set up, inoculate, operate, sample, monitor, harvest, and clean fermenters.
• Monitor fermentation conditions, including pH, dissolved oxygen, and feed additions.
• Maintain accurate batch records, fermentation logs, and maintenance records.
• Maintain laboratory inventory and prepare glassware, media, and other materials for upcoming experiments.
• Collect or receive, label, track, prepare, and perform routine analyses on samples from bench-scale fermenters and production vessels.
• Follow SOPs, safety requirements, and applicable GMP and quality procedures.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area.
• Identify deviations and abnormal process or equipment conditions.
• Perform first-line equipment troubleshooting and approved routine maintenance; escal
• Calibrate, verify, and perform routine maintenance on laboratory instruments.
• Execute assigned fermentation and laboratory activities under approved protocols and support scientists and engineers with experimental setup and data collection

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree or technical certificate in biotechnology, microbiology, bioprocessing, fermentation, or a related field preferred. Equivalent directly relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience preparing media, handling microbial cultures, pipetting, and preparing samples. Familiarity with fermenters and autoclaves and calibration of probes such as pH and DO is preferred.
• Accurate documentation and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and constructively with other departments and team members.
• Must be able to learn to operate machinery systems safely.
• Ability to meet schedule requirements (Sunday through Thursday, 7:00 pm - 3:30 am) and work overtime as needed
• High ethical standards, trustworthiness, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• A sense of urgency, determination, and confidence to support the company’s mission.
• Basic machine maintenance skills, including replacing parts and using hand tools to perform approved routine repairs and adjustments.

COMPENSATION

The pay range for this position is $24.00/hr-$27.00/hr , depending on experience, education, skill level, and other compensable factors.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires hands-on work in a laboratory setting. The employee will occasionally enter production areas to collect samples or retrieve materials and packages.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires regular standing, walking, and movement throughout the laboratory, with occasional movement through production areas. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, reach, and occasionally climb stairs or ladders. Manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination are needed to operate instruments and equipment. Vision and hearing must be sufficient to read gauges, monitor systems, and recognize alarms or equipment sounds.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a non-exempt full-time position.

Work hours will be Sunday through Thursday, 7:00 pm - 3:30 am

This position will require working holidays and overtime as needed.

TRAVEL

No travel is expected for this position.