Process Engineering Manager

Amyris Biotechnologies combines break-through technology and unique insights in the transportation fuels sector to bring environmentally friendly fuels to market.  Amyris is leveraging its technology platform, which was developed as part of an earlier project to reduce costs to produce artemisinin-based anti-malarial drugs, to provide cost-competitive bio-gasoline, bio-diesel, and bio-jet solutions that work in current engines and distribution infrastructure without compromising fuel performance.  All Amyris biofuels are designed to provide consumers and end users uncompromising alternatives to petroleum-based fuels.   Job Description: We are seeking an energetic, enthusiastic, driven leader to manage the Processing Engineering Group – currently four people supplemented by outside collaborators – in support of our biofuels program.  This person will be called on to build a world class team as a key component of Amyris’ R&D effort.  The successful candidate will integrate biofuel refining and product testing with upstream fermentation processing, product chemistry, and existing feedstock and product infrastructures.  The position reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Process Development and Manufacturing.Responsibilities: · Embrace Amyris’ Core Values.· Lead (hire, train, develop, mentor, manage) a group of highly effective engineers and research associates.  Ensure safe operation as an uncompromising priority. · Initiate, plan, and monitor the execution of critical fuel refining and testing projects as a functional manager and task leader.  Contribute to and use manufacturing cost models built from first principles to screen concepts and evaluate outcomes.· Develop low-cost biofuel refining processes and and provide timely, insightful feedback for use in fermentation improvement, primary recovery/purification improvement and optimal integration with existing feedstock and product infrastructures.  · Identify and secure equipment as needed to improve physical infrastructure.· Transfer technology between laboratory and pilot/full-scale plants, providing robust, well-documented processes and supporting personnel.· Effectively communicate process engineering goals/progress to internal stakeholders and corporate partners/financiers. Requirements: · Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (or M.S. with compelling record of innovation/leadership) plus 10 or more years of industrial experience in liquid transportation fuels process development and commercialization, including at least 5 years of management success. · Command of chemical engineering principles and their application to fuel processes.· Skilled in design of experiments, advanced data analysis, process modeling, and process simulation.