{"id":2198345,"url":"https://alion.io/job/alta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering","title":"Director, Bioprocess Engineering","company":{"id":3863152,"name":"Alta Resource Technologies Inc.","domain":"altatech.io","url":"https://alion.io/company/altatech-2","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":null},"role":"Leadership","role_family":"Leadership","seniority":"head","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Boulder, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":175000,"max":225000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":225000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":12,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-09T17:45:47Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-09","last_verified_at":"2026-10-20T17:23:56Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":11,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":11},"description":"About Alta\nAlta Resource Technologies (Alta) is a next generation mining company that uses synthetic biology to separate critical minerals from conventional and unconventional resources, including e-waste. Founded in 2023, the company is expanding its team in Boulder, CO. The exponential growth of new tech industries, as well as the information technology sector, are driving historic growth in mineral demand and stressing existing supply streams. Meeting new demand, diversifying the supply chain, and producing minerals in a more sustainable manner requires the rapid development, deployment and scaling of new technologies. This mineral challenge represents a historic opportunity for technology development and value creation. Alta is proud to be at the vanguard of this mega trend. \nLocation: Boulder, CO \nReports To: SVP of R&D\nAbout Us\nAlta is reinventing how the world sources critical minerals - using protein-based chemistry to extract rare earth elements and other essential materials from challenging feedstocks with unmatched selectivity. By dramatically reducing the cost and environmental impact of mineral separation, Alta is making it possible to unlock new sources of supply for 21st-century technologies. As global demand accelerates, securing these materials has become one of the most urgent challenges facing U.S. competitiveness and national security. Backed by top investors and government partners, Alta is growing fast and hiring mission-driven scientists and engineers to help us scale our platform and transform the future of mining.\nRole Summary\nThe Director of Bioprocess Engineering will own Alta's end-to-end strategy for producing engineered proteins, from shake flask through 10 m³ manufacturing scale. This is a dual-facing leadership role. Internally, you will build and lead the fermentation and downstream processing team, set technical direction, and drive process development that lowers cost of goods. Externally, you will be Alta's technical lead for technology transfer with contract research organizations (CROs), and toll manufacturing.\nThe ideal candidate is a proven builder of teams and a hands-on expert in industrial fermentation of Bacillus and other microbial systems. You will translate bench-scale results into robust, transferable processes, represent Alta's bioprocess capabilities to partners, investors, and government stakeholders, and serve as a key member of the technical leadership team.\nKey Responsibilities\nInternal: Bioprocess Strategy and Development\nSet and own the bioprocess roadmap for engineered protein production, aligned with company cost, capacity, and timeline goals.\nLead fermentation and downstream process development across scales: shake flask, bench-top bioreactors (1-10 L), pilot scale, and manufacturing scale up to 10 m³.\nDefine scale-up strategy and scale-down models, including key scale parameters (kLa, OTR, P/V, tip speed, mixing time, feed strategy) to de-risk transfer to larger vessels.\nDrive improvements in titer, rate, yield, and purity through media optimization, feeding strategies, strain-process integration, and DOE-based experimentation.\nOversee downstream processing development for protein recovery and purification, with clear KPIs for yield, quality, and cost of goods.\nEvaluate and implement new technologies and process innovations that improve performance or reduce cost.\nTrack and report process performance, techno-economic impact, and progress against milestones to executive leadership.\nExternal: CRO, and Partner Leadership\nServe as Alta's technical lead and primary point of contact for CROs, toll manufacturers and other Partnerships.\nOwn technology transfer packages and execution, including process descriptions, batch records, analytical methods, and acceptance criteria.\nProvide on-site and remote oversight of scale-up and manufacturing campaigns; troubleshoot deviations and drive root-cause investigations.\nManage external project timelines, deliverables, and spend, holding partners accountable to quality and schedule.\nRepresent Alta's bioprocess capabilities to investors, government partners, and customers, and support grant and contract deliverables.\nTeam Building and Leadership\nBuild, hire, and scale the bioprocess engineering team, including fermentation and downstream functions.\nDefine team structure, roles, and capability development plans as the company grows.\nLead as a player-coach: remain hands-on at the bench while mentoring and developing scientists and engineers.\nFoster a culture of rigor, collaboration, and accountability.\nCommunication and Documentation\nEstablish best practices for documentation of protocols, experiments, and tech transfer materials.\nCommunicate results, risks, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional teams, executives, and external stakeholders.\nRequired Qualifications\nB.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, or a related field, with 12+ years of industry experience in microbial fermentation (10+ years with a Ph.D.), including at least 5 years in a people-leadership role.\nDemonstrated experience building a team: hiring, structuring, and developing scientists and engineers from early stage to a functioning group.\nHands-on scale-up of microbial processes from shake flask through bench and pilot scale to manufacturing scale (up to 10 m³ or larger).\nRequired experience leading technology transfer of fermentation and downstream processes to external manufacturers.\nDirect experience selecting, managing, and overseeing CROs, including technical oversight of campaigns at partner sites.\nExpertise in fed-batch fermentation of Bacillus for protein production, with a strong understanding of Bacillus cell biology and physiology.\nExperience in downstream processing for protein recovery and purification.\nTrack record of KPI-driven process development using data analysis, DOE, and statistical methods.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to executives, partners, and external stakeholders.\nStrong organizational and documentation skills.\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with industrial enzymes or other cost-sensitive, high-volume protein products.\nTechno-economic analysis (TEA) and cost-of-goods modeling experience.\nFamiliarity with additional microbial hosts (e.g., E. coli, Pichia, Aspergillus).\nExperience supporting government-funded programs (DOE, DOD, DARPA) or working in a startup environment.\nExperience with process analytics, automation, and data systems for bioprocess.\nCompensation & Benefits\nThe starting pay range for this position is $ 175K - 225K USD, plus equity, commensurate with educational background and work experience. Travel up to 25% time including potentially international travel is a requirement. \nBenefits include:\n401(k)\nMedical, dental, and vision plans (or equivalent)\nFlexible time off\nPaid parental leave\nPaid sick leave\nCompany holidays\nEOE\n\nAlta Resource Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds strengthen our team and drive better outcomes for our clients and partners.\nWe welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and the needs of the business. Alta participates in e-Verify for all positions. \nIf you require accommodations at any point in the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.\nFor information about Alta's privacy practices, see our Privacy Policy.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7793,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":12,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Flexible time off","Parental leave"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Chemical Engineering","Industrial Biotechnology","Chemical Manufacturing","Industrial AI"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-09T20:21:34Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":83,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.829,"p_room":1,"age_days":10,"expected_fill_days":30,"reasons":["conf:1","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":225000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/alta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/alta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-20T20:08:27Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":23422,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-21T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3863152},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3863152"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Falta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Falta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Falta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/alta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Falta-resource-technologies-inc-director-bioprocess-engineering"}]}