Process Engineering Director

The Role

Macro Oceans is looking for a motivated and skilled Process Engineering Director to scale up our cutting edge bioprocessing technology. You will be part of our Science & Engineering team, based at our lab and pilot facility in West Sacramento.

This is an opportunity to scale up a first of its kind system and dramatically increase the trajectory of low carbon products derived from seaweed. The right candidate for this role is energized by this challenge and wants to be accountable for the success of this project. You will be responsible for all aspects of our biorefinery scale up: 

• Conceptual design of biorefinery processes
• Develop all design documentation such as PFDs, P&IDs, BOMs, and layouts
• Form a strong understanding of process specifics, such as reaction mechanisms, suitable materials of construction, etc to inform equipment selection
• Selection of materials for equipment, piping, instrumentation, etc to meet desired process parameters and requirements
• Commission, startup, and operation of pilot scale unit operations
• Analyze raw data to successfully deliver all our pilot objectives and optimize the process (e.g. yield goals, cost targets, run time, etc)
• Interface with 3rd party vendors (e.g. structural & electrical engineers) and support the team in process installation, commissioning and troubleshooting
• Ensuring compliance with GMPs and establishing SOPs for production runs

This position requires first-principles thinking, excellent attention to detail, and an ability to deliver at speed. It is perfect for someone who has a proven track record in process development engineering looking to join a fast-paced, mission-driven startup.

Your Technical Qualifications

• Bachelors/Masters in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or another relevant field
• 3-5 years relevant industry experience (e.g. beverages, dairy, liquid processing)
• Proven track record of leading a team of engineers in designing, scaling up, and operating bioprocesses including working knowledge of:
• PFD/P&ID design, mass/energy balance, hazard assessment
• Material specifications, equipment selection, and procurement
• Construction, installation, commissioning and troubleshooting a variety of unit operations
• Optimizing operations through experimental design, statistical analysis, troubleshooting and process engineering
• Good working knowledge and practical experience of wet lab biochemistry
• Good working knowledge and hands-on experience with process engineering design, modeling and simulation software packages such as Aspen Plus, SuperPro Designer among others.

Your Job Qualifications

• You can lead a technical roadmap amongst peers, setting the pace and priorities, communicating tasks and solving problems
• You have a track record for designing and executing plans with a high degree of conviction, precision, and speed
• You are a self-starter, motivated and accountable for your own work
• You are an excellent written and verbal communicator
• You can analyze complex data to produce insights and conclusions

Awesome if you have these too

• Experience in conducting techno-economic and life cycle analyses using standard software packages
• Working knowledge of mechanical engineering software tools including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, PROCAD, or any other equipment and piping design software packages
• Experience with micro / macro algae biomass conversion
• Startup experience
• Experience implementing GMPs

If you are from an underrepresented group, we would love to talk to you and really encourage you to apply or to reach out directly. Send us an email and we’ll get some time set up to talk about all things seaweed!

About Macro Oceans

• We are a seaweed biotechnology startup based in Sacramento
• We are pioneering technologies to transform seaweed into a wide array of low-carbon chemicals for materials, food, cosmetics and more
• We are practical idealists on a mission to accelerate the transition to a cleaner bio-based economy and help to restore the vitality of our oceans. 

Read about us in Fast Company or find out more at www.macro-oceans.com or in Macro Oceans News