Senior Process Development Engineer

Bolt Threads was created to enable a better future for people and the planet. Our route to achieve this is simple— we tap biology to create  

WAY BETTER MATERIALS FOR A WAY BETTER WORLD.

Our aspiration is to transform the global Consumer Goods industry, starting in Beauty and Personal Care with ingredients that are better for the environment while improving product performance. We believe that tapping into nature’s innovations means products that are not only environmentally friendly but also more efficacious.

Working with - rather than against - nature’s innovations will enable us to disrupt our industry and elevate its standards of excellence, setting a new global benchmark for responsible and environmentally conscious business practices.

THE TEAM 

The Bolt Threads team is a close-knit and dedicated team working relentlessly in the search and the creation of new materials to enable consumer brands to foster a positive and genuine environment-product-consumer relationship. The value we provide drives harmony between beauty, personal care, and the environment on a global scale.

We are fast-paced but fun, and we value innovation, creativity, and above all, teamwork. You will have a chance to grow professionally, experience the thrill of creating products that are truly groundbreaking and learn more about commercializing products.  

THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced Process Development Engineer, who is passionate about driving scalability and innovation in the biotech industry with applications in the beauty and personal care sector, specifically strong downstream process (protein purification) experience. This role will lead the efforts to scale up processes from the lab to production, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance at every step. We are focused on expanding our team with a dedicated professional who has a strong background in process engineering, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to collaborate in cross-functional teams. 

This role is a hybrid position with some international travel and flexible time due to working across different time zones to support multiple CMOs.

 

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering or similar
• B.S. with 10 years or M.S. with 8 years of relevant experience in process development

 

Required

• Technology transfer experience to a CMO is required for this role
• Expertise in protein purification, with experience at lab, pilot, and production scale
• Strong understanding of typical bioprocessing unit operations with continuous centrifugation, filtration (e.g., ultrafiltration, diafiltration), and other purification techniques
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Must be capable of lifting objects up to 25 pounds and comfortable working standing up for 75% of the workday
• Strong problem-solving skills and experience troubleshooting process equipment

 

Preferred

• Experience with typical protein analytical techniques (HPLC, SEC, gel electrophoresis, immunoassay, UV/vis, etc.)
• Familiarity with Fermentation processes at lab, pilot, and production scale 
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing Principles

 

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and implement our manufacturing processes for the scale-up of our existing and new products
• Utilize lean manufacturing principles and other tools to enhance efficiency and reduce waste
• Build creative and innovative solutions for COGs reduction
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate process parameters, optimize process conditions, and improve product yield and purity.
• Provide process development support to Product Development & Product Innovation projects
• Authoring of controlled documentation and use of data analysis software as needed
• Collaborate with R&D, Product Development, and Quality teams to continuously integrate new technologies, process improvements, compliance protocols, and production strategies.
• Continuous monitoring of manufacturing processes, performance data, and product quality to meet specifications
• Implement and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the manufacturing team.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 30%, including international travel

Compensation:

Pay range in San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Base salary: $106,800/yr - $160,000/yr