Downstream Process Engineer - Protein

Location: Chicago, IL and Argonne National Lab

Start date: ASAP

Hours: Full time in person, with flexibility for occasional remote work

About Hyfé:

At Hyfé, we envision a world with less waste and more abundant clean water. To get there, we are building a fermentation-powered platform to produce climate positive, essential goods. Our technology repurposes nutrient-rich side streams from food manufacturing to power fermentation at a lower cost and lower water and carbon footprint. Our first product is a mycelium protein powder which we are using to help companies make healthier food products.

We’re growing quickly, building a high-performing team that is driven by our mission and eager to take Hyfé to the next level. If this sounds like you, we’d love to talk.

The Role:

This role is for the intellectually curious. As downstream process engineer, you will play a vital role in the development and scale up of our core process. You will travel and learn from different industries and adopt best practices that support our goal to make low cost, sustainable protein. This role will design and execute the R&D plan for 2023-25 in collaboration with the fermentation and food science team and will be responsible for using project management to achieve aggressive timelines. This role reports to the CTO and works closely with other members of the Hyfé team. The role will grow with the company, with opportunity for fast growth as you work with our CTO to build and lead our technical team.

You are:

Ambitious, talented, and incredibly passionate about our mission. You think strategically, move swiftly, and take ownership over results. You are a great teammate who works hard and is comfortable encouraging others to think bigger about the impact we want to have on the world. You are excited to roll your sleeves up and help build a company from its early stages. You are ready to leave a legacy.

Qualifications:

• At least a BS, and preferably a MS or PhD, in biological or chemical engineering, biotechnology, food science, or equivalent

• At least 5 years of technical experience in food, fermentation, or biotechnology, ideally scaling downstream processes from bench to pilot to commercial

• Strong preference for experience with fungi/mycelium, proteins (e.g., soy, pea, whey), alternative flours (e.g., chickpea, almond), or food ingredient functionality

• Knowledge of unit operations, instrumentation, monitoring, and quality control involved in downstream processing, including separations and drying

• Innovative mindset with a can-do attitude and passion for Hyfé’s vision

• Ability to navigate challenges independently, leveraging team for feedback when appropriate

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and project management skills

• Travel up to 25% 

Nice-to-haves (but not required):

• Experience working with filamentous fungi

• Experience working in startups or major CPG

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead downstream process development for novel fermentation-based products

• Design and execute experimental plan and equipment trials to select unit operations and optimize process parameters, supporting scale-up from bench to pilot to commercial scale

• Work with application scientist to fine tune product functionality, including analytic characterization and product iteration

• Collaborate with upstream process engineers, fermentation scientists, food product developers, consultants, and vendors to progress technology readiness

• Develop best practice processes and procedures to ensure safety, efficiency, and quality

• Manage completion of projects within agreed timelines, utilizing project management tools to plan, self-steward, and communicate progress

• Champion science-based, data-driven approaches to solve complex problems

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and equity

• 401k plan

• 15 days of vacation, in addition to paid holidays and sick leave

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Short-term & long-term disability coverage

• Parental leave

At Hyfé, we’re looking for people with passion, ambition, and resilience. You’re encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description. We’re expecting your skills and passion to stand out—and set you apart—especially if your career has taken some extraordinary twists and turns.

Hyfé is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Vaccine verification will be required prior to the start of employment.