Lead Process Engineer in Calipatria
Job Description
Process Engineer - Calipatria CA
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Piper Maddox is partnering with an exciting biotechnology energy company based in California, that uses engineered microalgae to produce low-carbon liquid fuels at commercial scale.
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They are currently growing operations, engineering, and science teams, and are looking for a Process Engineer that will help bring the technology online. This is a rare opportunity to help launch a new category in the multi-billion-dollar SAF and liquid-fuels markets from the ground up.
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Key Responsibilities:
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- Lead hands-on downstream processing operations, including dewatering, centrifugation, filtration, cell lysis, and extraction to support pilot-scale production and commercial scale-up
- Support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization of process equipment while responding to operational issues and implementing process improvements
- Analyze production data, investigate process deviations, and drive continuous improvements to maximize reliability, efficiency, and product quality
- Develop and maintain SOPs, batch records, operating procedures, and other process documentation to ensure safe and consistent plant operations
- Partner with engineering, R&D, and operations teams to scale the microalgae platform into commercial renewable diesel and SAF production while growing into operations leadership and mentoring junior team members
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Background:
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- 4–8 years in process engineering, ideally downstream bioprocessing — algae, fermentation, food/feed, or comparable bio-based manufacturing
- Genuinely hands-on — running the equipment, not just specifying it. Dewatering, centrifugation, filtration, lysis, extraction at pilot or commercial scale
- Has supported commissioning and start-up work and can troubleshoot deviations as first responder
- Disciplined on documentation — SOPs, batch records, run data — and can turn performance data into improvements
- Chemical engineering degree is a plus. Comfortable in an outdoor production environment and with the physical side of the work
- Will grow into schedule and operations management as the technician team builds out, with scope to mentor a junior engineer
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