Bioprocess Engineer

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Bioprocess Engineer

Sunflower Therapeutics PBC
Medford, MA / Hybrid | Full-time
Start Date: Immediately

Position overview. Sunflower Therapeutics is currently recruiting a motivated and highly organized individual to support its mission to democratize global protein manufacturing. Sunflower is advancing “right-sized” and efficient approaches to manufacturing proteins using strain engineering, integrated process development, and automated multi-product facilities. Reporting to the Director of Engineering Operations, the Bioprocess Engineer will be responsible for supporting engineering operations at Sunflower Therapeutics to enable the advancement of Sunflower’s protein manufacturing equipment prototypes. This individual will assist in the design, development, testing, and implementation of benchtop and pilot-scale manufacturing systems for recombinant proteins. A successful candidate will be able to utilize bioprocess data to interpret product and process requirements and ensure the design of the hardware meets specified and operational standards. This individual will diagnose technical problems across system functions, as well as suggest and carry out creative and timely solutions. As Sunflower grows, the Bioprocess Engineer will contribute to the continuous improvement of Sunflower’s automated multi-product protein manufacturing facilities.

 

Responsibilities

  • Contributes to the integration of mechanical, electrical, and automation design of several scales of Sunflower protein manufacturing unit prototypes, including bioreactor, chromatography, and formulation modules
  • Provide support for new biomanufacturing hardware, product development, and existing products including control scheme optimization, hardware testing, failure analysis, and reliability assessments
  • Supports common bioprocess fluidic device characterization, integration, and control as part of Sunflower’s equipment, including flow meters, process sensors, and pumps
  • Diagnoses technical problems with prototype operations and provides timely and innovative solutions, develops test procedures, and collects data to identify failures and solutions
  • Understands, analyzes, and suggests design and control improvements to existing prototypes, both at a unit operation and overall system level
  • Champions innovation and drives implementation thereof to reduce the time and cost to develop processes for the manufacturing of biologics for patients around the world
  • Supports writing of reporting documents, technical documents, and any other necessary documentation

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

We believe the experience and capabilities outlined below will lead to success in this position. We recognize, however, that our mission to enable more proteins to reach patients and consumers worldwide is a significant challenge and will require innovative solutions. As such, we welcome all arguments for how the diversity of your training can help us reach this mission.

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or equivalent
  • 0-1 year of relevant experience in an academic and/or industrial setting
  • Aligned with Sunflower’s mission
  • Demonstrated understanding of basic chemical engineering concepts such as fluid mechanics and heat and mass transfer
  • Knowledge of protein manufacturing technology such as bioreactors, chromatography, and formulation preferred
  • Willingness to travel
  • Willingness to be a hands-on problem solver
  • Excellent verbal and written interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills, including meticulous attention to detail and multi-tasking capabilities
  • Enthusiastic, collaborative, and proactive attitude
  • Ability to easily adapt to rapidly changing company and program needs
  • Focus on continued skill-building and career development