Senior Bioprocess Engineer

Invaio Sciences Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Invaio Sciences in Cambridge, MA seeks a Senior Bioprocess Engineer to develop, optimize, and scale fermentation and downstream processing for crop health solutions. You will drive process data generation, support registration studies, and enable field trials and commercial tech transfer with cross-functional teams.

You will lead with data-driven experimentation, manage external manufacturing partners, and mentor junior staff while traveling as needed to support tech transfer efforts.

Qualifications

• Strong background in bioprocess development and scale-up.
• Experience with shake-flask to commercial scale fermentation.
• Ability to design experiments and analyze process data.
• Experience working with CMOs/CROs and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead fermentation and downstream process development from shake-flask through commercial scale.
• Identify and quantify critical process parameters using rigorous data analysis.
• Develop, optimize, and scale fermentation for registration studies, field trials, and commercialization.
• Coordinate internal and external production activities to generate materials for bioassays and trials.
• Prepare protocols, reports, and development documentation for cross-functional teams.
• Engage with external manufacturing partners to accelerate tech transfer and commercialization.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across projects.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Cross-functional

Problem solving

Education

Bioprocess degree

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.

Recruitment Agency Policy

Invaio does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms, staffing agencies, or recruiting firms. Resumes submitted to any employee of Invaio without a valid, fully executed search agreement for the specific position will be considered unsolicited. By submitting an unsolicited resume, the submitting agency acknowledges that Invaio reserves the right to pursue and hire the candidate without any financial obligation, fee, or payment to the agency. Such submissions become the property of Invaio and may be retained and used for current or future employment opportunities.

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.