Fermentation Engineer – Rochester, NY

Summary:

Laporte Consultants is looking for a highly technical Fermentation Process Engineer with experience in fermentation, filtration, and manufacturing plants to support our team in the US.  

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in the design, operation, and/or construction of industrial processes within the biotechnology or food & beverage industries. This is an upper-intermediate to senior-level engineering role.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Support and lead the engineering of processes for client projects involving fermentation and downstream recovery operations (including centrifugation, membrane filtration, extraction, and chromatography)
• Develop preliminary and detailed designs, drawings, and specifications such as PFDs, P&IDs, mass and heat balances, etc.
• Critically review engineering designs, test plans, and assess risks
• Ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with the agreed scope and timelines and make relevant recommendations to the client
• Work collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary design teams
• Chair project team meetings and provide technical direction
• Manage timely completion of tasks per plan without direct supervision
• Provide discipline specific input for bid packages and tenders
• Suggest, contribute, and champion initiatives to improve the Engineering Department’s operations and procedures
• Support positive client interactions and sub-consultant interface
• Perform data analysis, prepare technical reports, SOPs, and internal and external presentations
• Pursue opportunities for business development and future growth of the organization across various local geographies

Basic Qualifications

• A degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related fields
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in process design for plants in biotechnology, food & beverage, or other bioindustries.
• Experience in the design of fermentation processes (anaerobic and aerobic, batch and continuous systems) including upstream media preparation (batch tanks, UHT/HTST) and CIP/SIP systems
• Experience in the design of downstream processes including membrane filtration, centrifugation, and extraction
• Flexibility to travel to external manufacturing sites as needed
• Familiarity with industry practices for hygienic design of piping systems and equipment (for example: ASME BPE, 3-A, and EHEDG) including CIP and SIP design
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Preferred Qualifications

• Process modeling experience (i.e. SuperPro, SchedulePro, ASPEN Plus)
• Previous experience in the start-up and commissioning of commercial plants
• Strong leadership, relationship management, and organizational planning and project management skills, in addition to technical knowledge
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements (FDA, ICH Guidelines, ISPE, and best industrial practices)

Come join a company that is currently expanding across multiple geographic areas in North America – both Canada and the US. Laporte offers a competitive salary, compensatory PTO for hours worked above forty per week, extensive benefits and an environment that promotes work-life balance and professional growth.

Job Type: Full-time

Travel required: 10-20%