Technical Director - Chemical Engineering

JOB TITLE

Technical Director, WPI–MBI BioHub

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Chemical Engineering

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Technical Director leads technical operations for the WPI–MBI BioHub, a shared bio industrial manufacturing facility at Gateway Park operated by WPI and Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (massbiohub.org). Reporting to the Faculty Director, the position holds technical authority and project execution across the BioHub — microliter screening through 100 L fermentation and downstream recovery — and is the BioHub’s principal technical contact for the companies that use it.

This is a founding role, and its first year is the build: reviewing and executing the concept design, specifying and sourcing approximately $4.5M of equipment, and leading commissioning and qualification. Through the facility’s early phase the Technical Director personally executes the work they direct, and establishes the operating practice, safety program, and technical team that follow. It suits someone who has run pilot-scale manufacturing in industry and wants to build a dynamic facility that serves research, training, and industry. Full-time, on site; three-year term appointment, renewable subject to continued funding.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities:

• Scopes and prices technical work for companies and sponsors from the published rates, sets the technical terms of quotes and agreements, and qualifies inbound inquiries to determine what the facility can take on.

• Determines process parameters and executes client process development from microliter screening through 100 L, including hands-on operation of fermentation and downstream systems.

• Hosts infrastructure innovators who develop and demonstrate their equipment and technology at the BioHub, scoping each engagement and integrating it with facility operations.

• Helps specify, source, and commission the fermentation and downstream train and the instrument suite; leads factory and site acceptance testing.

• Shares business development and grant writing with the Faculty Director: identifies companies, sponsors, and funding opportunities, and writes the scope of work and technical sections of proposals in partnership with BioHub users.

• Establishes the safety program for pilot-scale operations, authors all standard operating procedures, and works under them.

• Owns the technical content of reporting and the partner and utilization record.

• Schedules and accommodates workforce training, including AR and digital twin curriculum, against live operations.

• Hires and supervises technicians as budget allows, and builds and leads the technical and operations team that follows.

• Attends relevant local meetings and conferences, with some domestic travel as needed to national meetings.

• Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.

Requirements:

• MS or PhD in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, or a related field; or a Bachelor’s degree with equivalent process experience.

• 5-10 years running fermentation at 10 L scale or larger in industry, a pilot plant, or a contract manufacturing setting.

• Demonstrated experience specifying, commissioning, or starting up bioprocess equipment or a new facility.

• Hands-on downstream processing including centrifugation and filtration, and demonstrated ownership of a process transfer or scale-up with a documented outcome.

• Experience working directly with industry clients or sponsors, including scoping and pricing technical work.

• Bioindustrial rather than pharmaceutical background preferred — precision fermentation, industrial biotechnology, food ingredients, biomaterials, or biofuels — with non-mammalian expression hosts.

• Familiarity with automated bioreactor control and data systems preferred.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, CV and contact information for three references.

Compensation:

Salary: $90,000 - $105,000 per year.  Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity.  This position is contingent upon the availability of external funding.

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.