Interested in a career that matters?

Join us as our new Team Lead / Senior Fermentation Engineer!

We are seeking a dedicated individual to lead fermentation optimization projects and oversee daily operations in the Optimization Labs in Franklinton. This role focuses on improving fermentation processes to reduce variable costs, enhance capacity, and elevate product quality.

Welcome to Global Enzyme Optimization

Global Enzyme Optimization delivers cost savings to Novonesis by improving fermentation and downstream processes, introducing new strains, and enabling raw material transitions. You will collaborate closely with operators, engineering staff, lab personnel, and cross functional partners to identify optimization opportunities, run experiments at lab and production scale, and monitor outcomes that drive business impact.

The Role & Your Impact

As the Senior Research Engineer / Team Lead, you will guide fermentation and downstream optimization activities while ensuring the smooth operation of the Optimization Labs. You will support troubleshooting, drive innovation initiatives, and oversee pilot scale operations and safety.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading process optimization efforts at pilot and production scale to improve productivity and operational economy.
• Supporting troubleshooting activities for fermentation and downstream processes within production areas.
• Identifying, suggesting, and initiating improvement opportunities for processes, products, and quality.
• Capturing optimization ideas and leads from local and global sources, driving initiatives to close global performance gaps.
• Providing supervisory guidance to optimization technicians to ensure safe and efficient pilot operations.
• Leading departmental safety initiatives and building a proactive safety culture.
• Reporting monthly KPIs related to Optimization Lab performance.
  
  

What You’ll Need to Be Successful:

• BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering or similar with 7+/5+/3+ years relevant experience OR a BS/MS/PhD in a related scientific field (Food Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, etc.) with 10+/7+/5+ years relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, think analytically, identify root causes, and lead or contribute to cross functional problem resolution teams.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to facilitate cooperation between departments to achieve shared goals.
• Proficiency with computer tools including word processing, spreadsheets, and SAP.
• Physical ability to work in production and laboratory environments: bending, walking, performing basic equipment maintenance, climbing stairs/ladders, and entering tanks.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
  
  

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

• A continuous improvement mindset and passion for optimizing biological processes.
• Ability to guide and mentor laboratory and pilot scale technical staff.
• Curiosity and eagerness to contribute to long-term strategic improvements.
• Confidence working across scales—from lab experiments to full production trials.
  
  

What We Offer:

At Novonesis, you will join a community of scientists, engineers, and innovators working together to create biological solutions with global impact. We focus on collaboration, technical development, and enabling great ideas to move from concept to production. You will have opportunities to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful, sustainable changes.

Ways Of Working

• This position is onsite in Franklinton, NC.
• Work spans laboratory, pilot plant, and production environments.
• Occasional domestic and international travel required.
• Physical activity is part of the role, including climbing, equipment access, and movement across production areas.
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

Expected salary range: $106,500-$145,000

Benefits You Will Enjoy

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
• Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation, 12 holidays, and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
• Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) option
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• All benefits begin on your first day!
  
  

Relevant Information

Application deadline: April 15, 2026

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore Other Openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career