About General Biological: General Biological (GB) is a pioneering industrial chemical and hardware manufacturing company developing the next generation of sustainable, low-cost biomanufacturing technologies. Our mission is to establish a new era of chemical products and physical materials derived from renewable carbohydrates rather than fossil fuels.
Central to our approach is vertical integration - positioning ourselves at the intersection of biotechnology, chemistry, and integrated hardware-software engineering to rapidly scale our innovative technology stack. The GB platform harnesses a non-model organism with remarkable metabolic flexibility and low sterility requirements, allowing us to truly industrialize biotech. By building custom bioreactor hardware and downstream operations, we fully leverage these properties to dramatically reduce capital and operating costs while accelerating implementation.
GB is assembling our founding team to join us in building a generational company that will transform scalable bioproduction practices for modern heavy industry.
Summary: We are seeking an innovative and experienced Engineering Lead to drive the development, fabrication, and process integration of our next-generation bioreactor systems. This position requires a strong background in mechanical and/or electrical engineering, as well as experience in bioreactor design and operations.
As GB pursues vertical integration, you will have exciting opportunities to contribute to interdisciplinary project teams working on end-to-end hardware and process solutions. We are looking for someone who thrives on project ownership, ensuring timely execution, managing independent work streams, tracking budgets, and aligning efforts with our broader vision.
The ideal candidate will help drive GB's success by spearheading the design, innovation, and fabrication of bioreactors, control systems, and bioreactor-related equipment (controllers, pumps, on-line probes, etc.) for our microbial production platform, facilitating target production metrics for molecules of interest at pilot and commercial scale. This role involves hands-on fabrication, hardware development, and problem-solving - requiring a first principles mindset and willingness to take calculated risks.
Essential Functions: Plan and execute the design, development, and construction of state-of-the-art bioreactor systems for microbial growth and chemicals production Complete in-house fabrication and prototyping tasks related to bioreactor design, operation, and process integration Aid in development of novel process flow schemes around continuous bioproduction strategies integrating bioreactor design with upstream and downstream processes. Participate in cross-functional team-based projects with biologists and chemists to optimize end-to-end processes and ensure seamless, efficient, and cost-effective integration of bioreactor systems with fermentation, purification and formulation strategies. Manage a team of engineers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure project success Conduct rigorous testing and validation of the bioreactor system to ensure reliability, scalability, and compliance with industry standards Continuously identify and implement cutting-edge strategies to enhance bioreactor efficiency, reduce production costs, and improve technology Contribute to the development of intellectual property by writing up novel concepts as invention disclosures and participate in the patent application process. Education and Experience Required
B.S. in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant industry experience Strong background in mechanical and/or electrical engineering principles and their application in bioproduction processes Proficiency in CAD, modeling/simulation, and in-house prototyping/fabrication Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively to overcome technical challenges Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and meet aggressive timelines Preferred M.S. in microbiology, fermentation science, bioprocess engineering or a related field with a minimum of 2 years industrial experience in bioreactor design and bioprocess development for microbial systems Knowledge of process control systems design and automation Prior experience with the design and development of bioprocesses, especially around scale-up and process optimization. Practical mechanical and industrial site experience with pilot scale and larger bioprocess equipment and troubleshooting biological process plants Experience transitioning components from prototype to mass manufacturing Familiarity with fluid dynamics, mass transfer, and heat transfer in bioreactor systems Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and finite element analysis (FEA) Salary and Benefits: Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package Opportunities for professional growth and development A collaborative and innovative work environment The chance to make a significant impact in the field of sustainable chemical production If you are passionate about applying your engineering expertise to develop groundbreaking solutions for the chemical industry, come join us.
