Process Development Engineer

Location: Torrance, CA | Employment Type: Full-Time

Help Bring Peptide Manufacturing Processes from Development to Production

At PolyPeptide, we partner with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to support the development and manufacturing of peptide-based therapies. We are looking for a Development Scale-Up Engineer to help bridge the gap between process development and full-scale manufacturing.

This role is ideal for a technically strong chemical engineer who enjoys solving complex process challenges, working closely with chemists, and using data-driven approaches to improve yield, efficiency, throughput, and manufacturing performance.

About the Role

The Development Scale-Up Engineer will work closely with our chemists and process development teams to develop, optimize, scale up, and scale down unit operations used in peptide manufacturing. This position will support the transition of processes from laboratory scale to pilot and production scale while helping ensure safe, efficient, compliant, and reliable manufacturing outcomes.

In this role, you will apply chemical engineering principles, process modeling, data analysis, DOE, and continuous improvement methodologies to identify bottlenecks, reduce waste, improve yields, and support cost and capacity planning. Your work will directly contribute to PolyPeptide’s commitment to delivering exceptional quality and on-time delivery to our customers.

What You Will Do

• Scale up and scale down unit operations in peptide manufacturing, supporting the transition from laboratory to pilot and production scales.
• Collaborate closely with chemists to understand process requirements, challenges, and constraints.
• Support smooth process transfer from Process Development to full-scale manufacturing.
• Apply data analysis and Design of Experiments to identify bottlenecks, reduce waste, and improve yields.
• Develop steady-state process simulation models using physical property data to predict system performance under varying operating conditions.
• Perform cost and capacity analyses to optimize production efficiency and material output across unit operations.
• Support new product introductions and manufacturing transfer activities.
• Improve process capability, yield, throughput, cycle time, and manufacturing costs.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DOE, SPC, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Identify opportunities for automation, waste reduction, and increased manufacturing efficiency.
• Ensure work is performed in compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Report directly to the Head of Process Development.

What We Are Looking For

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field required.
• Experience in process development, scale-up, scale-down, or manufacturing support within a chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, or related manufacturing environment.
• Experience in peptide manufacturing is highly beneficial.
• Experience working in a GMP-regulated environment and with quality systems preferred.
• Experience supporting technology transfer, new product introduction, or manufacturing process optimization is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles and unit operations.
• Experience with peptide synthesis and purification, preferably in an industrial setting.
• Knowledge of filtration, chromatography, crystallization, and other manufacturing unit operations.
• Experience with scale-up and scale-down of chemical processes.
• Ability to use data analysis, DOE, SPC, and process modeling to support process development and optimization.
• Ability to perform cost, capacity, yield, throughput, and efficiency evaluations.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate development data into practical manufacturing solutions.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with chemists, development teams, manufacturing, and cross-functional partners.
• Clear communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts and process recommendations.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team-based environment.
• Detail-oriented approach with a focus on safety, quality, compliance, and operational excellence.

Why Join PolyPeptide?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in bringing complex peptide manufacturing processes from development into production. You will work at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, and manufacturing, helping improve processes that support the delivery of peptide-based therapies to customers and patients.

As a Development Scale-Up Engineer, your work will have a direct impact on process performance, production readiness, manufacturing efficiency, and successful product transfer. This role is a strong fit for someone who enjoys hands-on technical problem solving, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration in a GMP manufacturing environment.

Join PolyPeptide and help support the development, optimization, and scale-up of peptide manufacturing processes that contribute to high-quality production and reliable delivery for our customers.

Salary: $85k - $105k

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.