Scientist/Engineer, Downstream Process Development

Checkerspot; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Salary range: $110,000–$130,000

Job summary

Checkerspot is seeking a Scientist/Engineer for the Process Development team to develop, optimize, and standardize downstream oil recovery from microbial biomass. You will drive experimental design, collaborate with Fermentation and Analytical teams, and support sample generation with cross-training on fermentation operations.

The role emphasizes statistical DOE, scale-up from bench to pilot, and documenting results while maintaining rigorous safety and quality practices in a fast-paced biotech

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with 6–10 yrs in chemical/bioprocess engineering or related field; or MS with 2–6 yrs; PhD with 0–4 yrs.
• Strong experimental design and DOE using JMP or equivalent; troubleshooting processes with minimal supervision.
• Hands-on downstream unit operations including extraction, refining, drying; scale-up from bench to pilot.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve oil recovery processes from microbial biomass, including aqueous and solvent/mechanical extraction.
• Design experiments and apply DOE to optimize recovery, throughput, and oil quality.
• Scale processes from bench to pilot and prepare tech transfer docs.
• Specify and qualify process equipment with vendors and specialists.
• Maintain SOPs, batch records, and lab notebooks.
• Cross-train on fermentation operations as time allows.

Skills

Communication skills

Experimental design

Statistical design of experiments

Team collaboration

Mass balance knowledge

Safety culture

Education

B.S. in Chemical/Bioprocess Engineering

M.S. in related field

Ph.D. in related field

Tools

JMP

Benchling

LIMS

Job description

Founded in 2016, Checkerspot set out with a bold mission: to harness biotechnology to unlock the power of nature’s molecular building blocks. From the start, the company has focused on developing high-performance fats and oils that aren’t easily or sustainably sourced from nature, using precision fermentation to bring innovative solutions to market.

Whether in food, nutrition, or beyond, Checkerspot has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible – proving that science and sustainability can drive real-world impact.

COMPANY CULTURE

Our company culture can best be understood through experience. Come get to know us! We’d like to be known more by what we do than what we say.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

We seek an enthusiastic, team oriented, problem solver to join our Process Development team as a Scientist/Engineer. This is primarily a downstream processing role, developing, optimizing, and standardizing the processes that recover and refine our oils, spanning aqueous, solvent, and mechanical extraction as well as refining, bleaching, and deodorization. The successful candidate will drive experimental design, work closely with the Fermentation and Analytical teams, and support sample generation, with cross-training on fermentation operations as time allows. Key responsibilities include:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and improve different processes for recovering oil from microbial biomass, including aqueous extraction, as well as drying followed by solvent or mechanical extraction
• Drive experimental design and apply statistical design of experiments (JMP or equivalent) to define operating windows and improve recovery, throughput, and oil quality
• Scale processes from bench through semi-pilot and pilot operation
• Develop comprehensive technology transfer documents for downstream processing
• Specify, commission, and qualify process equipment, including larger lab- and semi-pilot-scale unit operations for extraction and refining, working with vendors and application specialists as needed
• Collect in-process samples to support mass balance activities, and work closely with the Analytical team on sample submission and the interpretation of results
• Perform standardized refining, bleaching, and deodorization at bench scale
• Generate oil samples for internal evaluation, application testing, and partner sampling
• Maintain rigorous documentation practice, including SOPs, batch records, technical reports, and complete and timely entries in the electronic lab notebook (Benchling)
• Support technical discussions and transfer documentation for contract manufacturing partners
• Crosstrain on fermentation operations as time allows, including media preparation, sampling, and bioreactor support
• Coordinate tasks across multiple projects, demonstrating prioritization and planning
• Engage in technical discussions and research planning, and regularly present results at company and external meetings
• Support Checkerspot’s stated Public Benefits by advancing biotechnology that makes critical ingredients less dependent on geography, climate, and commodity supply chains, in support of human health and a more sustainable world
• Accountable for building a strong safety culture and actively pursue it daily; identify unsafe behaviors and conditions and intervene to mitigate incidents
• Must be able to follow Standard Operating Procedures

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• B.S. in Chemical or Bioprocess Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology, or a related field with 6-10 years of relevant experience; or an M.S. in a related field with 2-6 years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. in a related field with 0-4 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated grounding in the scientific method, including hypothesis-driven experimental design, statistical design of experiments (JMP or equivalent), and structured troubleshooting of processes that do not behave as expected, with limited supervision
• Working knowledge of mass balance and its use in evaluating and comparing process performance
• Hands-on experience with downstream unit operations, which may include extraction, cell disruption, centrifugation or other separation, refining, and drying
• Experience with process optimization and scale-up from bench to pilot or larger scale
• Experience specifying, commissioning, or qualifying process equipment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey technical detail to colleagues at all levels and to external partners
• Ability to successfully work in a project-driven and team-oriented environment
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (raw materials) with assistance
• Flexible work schedule. Fermentation and semi-pilot campaigns run to the process schedule rather than a fixed one, and this role requires occasional early, late, and weekend coverage
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis (We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience with oil extraction and refining in an oleaginous microbial platform, in oilseed processing, or in the recovery of oil from other plant material
• Hands-on fermentation experience, including bioreactor set-up, sterilization, and operation
• Experience developing or operating processes for food-grade or nutritional products, including authoring batch records and validation protocols and supporting quality review
• Experience supporting the transfer of a process to a manufacturing team or contract manufacturing partner, including preparation of transfer documentation
• Familiarity with electronic lab notebook and LIMS platforms (e.g., Benchling)

BENEFITS

Checkerspot offers its employees a competitive benefits and compensation package. The expected pay range for this role is $110,000 to $130,000 annually with final determination commensurate with experience.

Checkerspot is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.