Senior Bioprocess Engineer

Invaio Sciences, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Invaio Sciences, Inc. in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Senior Bioprocess Engineer to develop, optimize, and scale fermentation and downstream processing for crop health solutions.

You will generate process data for registration studies, field trials, and technology transfer with cross-functional teams. The role requires 7–10+ years of relevant industrial experience in bioprocess engineering, hands-on scale-up with multiple hosts, and leadership in external manufacturing programs, with travel >50%

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of microbial physiology and production hosts.
• Experience scaling fermentation from lab to commercial manufacturing.
• Strong data analysis, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead fermentation and downstream process development from shake-flask through commercial scale.
• Identify, evaluate, and quantify critical process parameters using DOE and SPC.
• Develop, optimize, and scale fermentation for registration studies, field trials, and commercialization.
• Coordinate internal and external production activities to generate materials for assays and trials.
• Analyze data, present findings, and prepare protocols and development documentation.
• Engage third-party service providers and CMOs to accelerate development and tech transfer.
• Contribute to IP portfolio and provide scientific/operational leadership across projects.
• Support a collaborative culture emphasizing teamwork and scientific rigor.
• Travel >50% as needed for tech transfer and commercialization at partner sites.

Skills

Fermentation process development

Downstream processing

Bioprocess scale-up

DOE / Design of experiments

Statistical process control

External manufacturing management

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven experimentation

Scientific communication

Technology transfer

Education

B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Bioprocess engineering, Biotechnology or related discipline

Job description

Invaio Sciences, founded by Flagship Pioneering, is a bio platform company accelerating the leap to nature-positive agriculture. The company builds on advances in human health and digital innovation to develop biological technologies for crop health, enabling farmers to both improve yields and use more natural crop health solutions.

About the role

Our Invaio team in Cambridge, MA is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Senior Bioprocess Engineer to develop, optimize, and scale fermentation and downstream processing technologies for our proprietary portfolio of crop health solutions. This role will be responsible for generating the process data and manufacturing materials required to support registration studies, field trials, and commercial technology transfer. Working cross-functionally with strain engineering, analytical development, formulation, and external manufacturing partners, the successful candidate will play a key role in advancing laboratory-scale processes to commercial production. This position reports to the Head of Bioprocess Development.

What you’ll do

• Lead fermentation and downstream process development activities from shake-flask through commercial scale.
• Identify, evaluate, and quantify critical fermentation and downstream process parameters using data-driven experimentation, design of experiments, and statistical process control methodologies.
• Develop, optimize, and scale fermentation processes to support registration studies, field trials, and commercialization.
• Independently coordinate and execute internal and external production activities to generate materials for bioassays, greenhouse studies, field trials, and other development programs.
• Analyze experimental data, present scientific findings in cross-functional team meetings, and prepare clear protocols, technical reports, and development documentation.
• Identify, evaluate, and engage third-party service providers, technologies, and manufacturing partners that can accelerate the development and commercialization of Invaio’s technologies.
• Make key inventive contributions to Invaio’s growing intellectual property portfolio.
• Provide scientific and operational leadership across cross-functional projects and programs, ensuring alignment, effective execution, and timely delivery.
• Contribute to a dynamic and collaborative culture that values teamwork, innovation, scientific rigor, and professional development.
• Ability to travel >50% as needed to support tech transfer and commercialization efforts at third party manufacturing partner sites

Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Bioprocess engineering, Biotechnology or a related discipline
• 7-10+ years relevant industrial experience
• Advanced knowledge of microbial physiology, fed-batch fermentation, bioprocess scale-up, and downstream processing, with hands-on experience in one or more production hosts including Escherichia coli, Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris), Bacillus subtilis, or filamentous fungi
• Demonstrated ability to design, optimize, and scale fermentation processes from laboratory through pilot and commercial manufacturing.
• Self-motivated and intellectually curious, with the ability to independently drive projects while embracing opportunities to develop expertise in new technologies and scientific disciplines.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to scientific rigor, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Industrial experience scaling fermentation processes to commercially relevant manufacturing scales (10,000 L+) is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing external manufacturing organizations (CMOs), contract research organizations (CROs), technology vendors, or strategic partners is preferred.
• Previous experience providing technical leadership, mentoring junior scientists or engineers, and coordinating cross-functional project teams is preferred.
• Authorization
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without the need for current or future employer-sponsored immigration support.

What's next

Invaio is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a proactive program of diversity development. Invaio will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or veteran status.

The estimated starting salary range for this position is $130,000 - 170,000 per year. At Invaio, we are committed to transparency and accuracy in our hiring practices. Our salary offers are aligned with Invaio’s compensation philosophy and take into account various factors, including education, training, experience, external market conditions, the criticality of the role, and internal equity. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local wage requirements for the job location.