Bioprocess Engineer Job Listing at SPA in Arlington, VA (Job ID 2025-19488)

Description

Qualifications

Required:

• 2+ years of experience and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, or related field with strong emphasis in biological systems.
• Hands-on experience scaling biological processes from laboratory to pilot scale.
• Demonstrated success scaling processes from bench (0.5-5L) through pilot (50-500L) scale: process characterization and scale-up parameter identification, media development and feed strategy optimization across scales, and experience with scale-down model development and validation.
• U.S. Citizenship (eligible for DoD Secret clearance).

Desired:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, or related field with strong emphasis in biological systems.
• Experience with process modeling and simulation software (e.g., SuperPro Designer, Aspen), metabolic modeling (e.g., Flux Balance Analysis), Statistical Design of Experiments (DoE) using JMP or R, and statistical process control using Minitab, as well as JMP or R.
• Process analytical technology (PAT) implementation.
• CFD for bioreactor characterization (ANSYS).
• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Prior experience providing SETA support.
  
  

The Biological Technologies Office (BTO) at DARPA is seeking exceptional candidates with advanced bioprocess engineering expertise to join our dynamic Science Team. We're looking for innovative engineers who have demonstrated success scaling biological processes from bench through pilot scale, with deep understanding of both theoretical principles and their practical limitations. The ideal candidate bridges fundamental understanding with hands-on experience, while staying at the forefront of emerging bioprocess technologies and approaches to transform how we design, optimize, and scale biological production systems. As a member of the BTO Science Team specializing in Bioprocess Engineering, the primary focus will be to support our DARPA PMs in developing revolutionary concepts that leverage advanced bioprocess understanding to achieve unprecedented capabilities. Will apply experience scaling processes through pilot scale (up/down scaling in DBTL loops for example) combined with awareness of emerging technologies to help identify truly transformative approaches. Will work closely with DARPA PMs providing specialized technical expertise and dedicating time to help them develop and refine their ideas. Augment the existing SETA teams, collaborating with them to create compelling Program Initiation Pitches (PIPs) that incorporate feedback from peers and leadership.