Director – Bioprocess Engineering

Location: Boulder, CO 

Reports To: SVP of R&D

About Us

Alta 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.

Role Summary

The 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.

The 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.

Key Responsibilities

Internal: Bioprocess Strategy and Development

• Set and own the bioprocess roadmap for engineered protein production, aligned with company cost, capacity, and timeline goals.
• Lead fermentation and downstream process development across scales: shake flask, bench-top bioreactors (1–10 L), pilot scale, and manufacturing scale up to 10 m³.
• Define 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.
• Drive improvements in titer, rate, yield, and purity through media optimization, feeding strategies, strain-process integration, and DOE-based experimentation.
• Oversee downstream processing development for protein recovery and purification, with clear KPIs for yield, quality, and cost of goods.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and process innovations that improve performance or reduce cost.
• Track and report process performance, techno-economic impact, and progress against milestones to executive leadership.

External: CRO, and Partner Leadership

• Serve as Alta's technical lead and primary point of contact for CROs, toll manufacturers and other Partnerships.
• Own technology transfer packages and execution, including process descriptions, batch records, analytical methods, and acceptance criteria.
• Provide on-site and remote oversight of scale-up and manufacturing campaigns; troubleshoot deviations and drive root-cause investigations.
• Manage external project timelines, deliverables, and spend, holding partners accountable to quality and schedule.
• Represent Alta's bioprocess capabilities to investors, government partners, and customers, and support grant and contract deliverables.

Team Building and Leadership

• Build, hire, and scale the bioprocess engineering team, including fermentation and downstream functions.
• Define team structure, roles, and capability development plans as the company grows.
• Lead as a player-coach: remain hands-on at the bench while mentoring and developing scientists and engineers.
• Foster a culture of rigor, collaboration, and accountability.

Communication and Documentation

• Establish best practices for documentation of protocols, experiments, and tech transfer materials.
• Communicate results, risks, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional teams, executives, and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• B.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.
• Demonstrated experience building a team: hiring, structuring, and developing scientists and engineers from early stage to a functioning group.
• Hands-on scale-up of microbial processes from shake flask through bench and pilot scale to manufacturing scale (up to 10 m³ or larger).
• Required experience leading technology transfer of fermentation and downstream processes to external manufacturers.
• Direct experience selecting, managing, and overseeing CROs, including technical oversight of campaigns at partner sites.
• Expertise in fed-batch fermentation of Bacillus for protein production, with a strong understanding of Bacillus cell biology and physiology.
• Experience in downstream processing for protein recovery and purification.
• Track record of KPI-driven process development using data analysis, DOE, and statistical methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to executives, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with industrial enzymes or other cost-sensitive, high-volume protein products.
• Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and cost-of-goods modeling experience.
• Familiarity with additional microbial hosts (e.g., E. coli, Pichia, Aspergillus).
• Experience supporting government-funded programs (DOE, DOD, DARPA) or working in a startup environment.
• Experience with process analytics, automation, and data systems for bioprocess.

Compensation & Benefits

The 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. 

Benefits include:

• 401(k)
• Medical, dental, and vision plans (or equivalent)
• Flexible time off
• Paid parental leave
• Paid sick leave
• Company holidays