Senior Fermentation Operations Specialist

Watershed Ventures; West Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

BMC Ingredients in West Sacramento, CA, is seeking a Senior Fermentation Operations Specialist to lead upstream and downstream fermentation activities at the pilot plant, supporting production and R&D. You will interface with process equipment, instrumentation, control systems, and lab systems per SOPs and batch protocols.

You will be responsible for safe operations, batch documentation, SOP development, and driving process improvements in fermentation and downstream operations.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or related fields.
• 2–3 years of direct fermentation operations experience at pilot, demo, or production scale.
• Operates large-scale plant equipment with mechanical aptitude and safe response to issues.
• Aseptic technique as required.
• Follows and writes standard operating procedures.
• Operates basic laboratory analytical equipment and logs data.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and analytical thinking.
• Works with minimal supervision and takes initiative across processes.
• Effective oral and written communication with supervisors and team.
• Flexible schedule, including outside regular hours and weekends.
• Physical: lift 50 lbs; stand/walk; climb ladders/stairs; push/pull equipment; handle chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead, and execute fermentation R&D projects and process optimization.
• Monitor fermentation parameters and troubleshoot to inform future runs.
• Maintain and sterilize upstream/downstream equipment; optimize within unit operations.
• Execute batch protocols, pilot plant start-ups/shut-downs, sampling and testing.
• Work with raw materials and production under GMP and approved procedures.
• Complete batch tracking, review production records; write SOPs.
• Promote and implement safety programs and controls.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fermentation operations

Pilot plant operations

GMP compliance

Aseptic technique

SOP writing

Laboratory equipment operation

Data logging

Safety leadership

Team collaboration

Flexible scheduling

Manual lifting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Biochemical Engineering

Tools

Laboratory analytical equipment

Process instrumentation

Job description

Senior Fermentation Operations Specialist

At our West Sacramento, California facility, BMC Ingredients manufactures Rhiza—a whole-food mycoprotein derived via fermentation. Our close-knit operational team handles all unit operations, including fermentation, harvesting, drying, and packaging, within a single consolidated facility.

The Senior Fermentation Operations Specialist leads upstream and downstream fermentation operations at the BMC Ingredients pilot plant, supporting both production and R&D. This role interfaces with process equipment, instrumentation, control systems, and lab systems per SOPs and batch protocols. They are accountable for safe operations and escalating issues to engineering leadership.

Essential Functions

• Plan, lead, and execute fermentation R&D projects and process optimization, under the guidance of pilot plant and engineering leadership.
• Monitor and control fermentation parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen); interpret data to troubleshoot issues, inform future runs, and prevent recurrence.
• Maintain, clean, and sterilize upstream and downstream equipment, and optimize its role within the broader unit operations process.
• Execute batch protocols per SOPs. E.g., pilot plant start-ups/shut-downs, process instrumentation and software, and sampling/testing across all production and in-process streams.
• Work with raw materials and production in compliance with GMP requirements and approved facility procedures.
• Complete batch tracking, review, and production records; write and review Standard Operating Procedures.
• Promote, lead, and implement safety programs and controls.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or related fields (e.g., fermentation, biology, biotechnology).
• 2-3 years of direct fermentation operations experience at a pilot plant, demo, or production scale.
• Operates large-scale plant equipment with mechanical aptitude; responds to critical situations safely and promptly.
• Works aseptically with sterile technique as required.
• Follows and writes standard operating procedures.
• Operates basic laboratory analytical equipment. Keeps accurate, timely logs of data and process values.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, critical thinking, and reasoning skills.
• Works with minimal supervision, taking initiative across multiple process operations.
• Effective oral and written communication with supervisors and team members.
• Flexible schedule, including outside regular hours and weekends as needed.
• Physical requirements: lift 50 lbs; stand/walk for extended periods; climb ladders/stairs; push/pull large equipment (e.g., portable tanks); handle chemicals (acids, bases, solvents, powders).

Salary Range: $70,500 - $80,000

BMC Ingredients is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.