How to hire a fermentation engineer

How to hire a fermentation engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fermentation engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fermentation engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fermentation engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your fermentation engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a fermentation engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A fermentation engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, fermentation engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of fermentation engineers.

   Type of Fermentation Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Fermentation Engineer	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	$32-53
   Manufacturing Engineering Internship	A manufacturing engineering intern is responsible for assisting the manufacturing engineers on the plant's daily operations, analyzing the manufacturing process and procedures, and recommending strategic solutions to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Manufacturing engineering interns shadow the production staff, inspect the tools and equipment of the manufacturing, analyze the quality control documentation, and perform related administrative tasks to familiarize themselves with the plant structure... Show more	$19-32
   Industrial Engineering Internship	An industrial engineer intern is a student working in a company to do industrial engineering tasks. Industrial engineering interns assist industrial engineers... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sops
   • Pilot Scale
   • Fermenters
   • Control Strategies

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead and assist maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
   • Design and implement a scaled-down version of a separation process base on CMO specification to build out in-house downstream process capabilities.
   • Lead and assist maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
   • Maintain all the process equipment / fermentation tanks in this plant.
   • Prepare AFE and conduct after-action review to implement best engineering practice to improve operation efficiency.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fermentation engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A fermentation engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, fermentation engineers' average salary in iowa is 42% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fermentation engineers 40% less than senior-level fermentation engineers.
   • Certifications. A fermentation engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a fermentation engineer's salary.

   Average fermentation engineer salary

   $87,362yearly

   $42.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fermentation engineer salary

   $67,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a fermentation engineer job description

   A good fermentation engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a fermentation engineer job description:

   Fermentation engineer job description example

   The Fermentation Engineer will be responsible for development and optimization of fermentation processes for production of biocatalysts.
   Core Responsibilities:
   Development of new and optimization of existing industrial enzyme fermentation, DSP and formulation processes.Plan and execute enzyme fermentation experimental design (Lab, pilot & industrial scale) ensuring safety, effectiveness and efficiency.Collect, analyze and interpret experimental (Lab, pilot & industrial scale), and actual production data.Communicate with key stakeholders in R&D, engineering, manufacturing, CROs and CMOs. Collaborate with biochemistry and molecular biology team on enzyme of interest characteristics and peculiarities to adapt the most effective and efficient fermentation, DSP and formulation strategy.Involve in manufacturing infrastructure development and upgrade, including unit operation design, in-line process monitoring & automation, data management systems.Collaborate in troubleshooting and lead continuous improvement and new technology implementation initiatives at industrial scale fermentation facilities.Conduct enzyme fermentation experiments safely and effectively against the project goals with a high level of excellence to ensure precise and accurate data. Record and document all stages of R&D work, operate lab information & knowledge management system (ELN etc.).Prepare technical, experimental reports, techno-economic feasibility assessments for communicating work outcomes and future recommendations. Ensure Compliance with laws and internal policies.Other assigned duties and responsibilities.
   
   Qualified candidates will have:
   Min. MSc degree (PhD preferrable) in biotechnology, biochemical engineering or related field with 3+ years working experience as Fermentation Engineer or equivalent role Hands-on experience with enzyme production using benchtop fermenters, , microbiological techniques, downstream processes, and statistical tools.Experience with scale-up is a plus.Applied knowledge in microbial physiology, chemistry, enzymology, physics, statistics, fermenter / bioreactor design, process data analytics, control and automation.Understanding of modern molecular biology, strain and enzyme engineering.
   
   Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.
   #LI-JG1
   We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, military status, or disability status.
   
   Relocation Available:
   Yes, Within Region

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find fermentation engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fermentation engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit fermentation engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit fermentation engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fermentation engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the fermentation engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new fermentation engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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