Downstream Process Development Engineer, Large Scale Protein Purification (MA)

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a Downstream Process Development Engineer to support development, scale-up, and customer enablement of downstream purification processes using our industry-leading single-use and hybrid purification platforms. This role is highly hands-on, customer-facing, and focused on large-scale chromatography execution, troubleshooting, and technology transfer.

Location:

This is an onsite position in Plainville, Massachusetts. Residency within commuting distance is required. No relocation assistance will be provided.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute downstream purification processes across capture, intermediate, and polishing steps.
• Perform hands-on large-scale protein purification, including operation of chromatography columns 30 cm to 60 cm ID.
• Pack, qualify, and troubleshoot large-scale chromatography columns, ensuring consistent performance across cycles.
• Diagnose and resolve pressure, flow distribution, and resin-related issues, including column fouling, pressure excursions, and yield losses.
• Make real-time process adjustments during chromatography runs based on system trends and performance data.
• Operate and optimize chromatography skids (single-use and/or stainless steel), including systems controlled via DeltaV.
• Review process trends, alarms, and historian data to drive process understanding and improvement.
• Generate high-quality technical data demonstrating robustness, scalability, and reproducibility.
• Support PD → pilot → manufacturing scale transitions and participate in customer or internal tech transfer discussions.
• Lead hands-on customer training, demonstrations, and technical workshops.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, automation, manufacturing, and commercial teams.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience;
• M.S. with 3+ years of relevant experience;
• Ph.D. with relevant industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with protein purification using chromatography, including capture, intermediate, and polishing steps.
• Direct experience operating large-scale chromatography columns (≥30 cm ID).
• Experience packing and qualifying chromatography columns in development or pilot-scale environments.
• Strong ability to diagnose chromatography performance issues, including pressure, flow, and resin behavior.
• Solid mechanical and fluid-flow intuition for packed-bed chromatography.
• Experience operating downstream single-use purification systems.
• Demonstrated end-to-end ownership of unit operations, with accountability for execution and outcomes.
• Strong planning, execution, and technical documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating chromatography columns 45–60 cm ID at pilot or manufacturing scale.
• Hands-on experience with resin lifetime studies, reuse strategies, and column performance trending across multiple cycles.
• Understanding of resin selection tradeoffs (binding capacity, pressure limitations, fouling risk).
• Knowledge of cleaning, sanitization, and storage practices for chromatography resins and columns.
• Experience operating chromatography skids using DeltaV, including navigation of batch phases and recipe logic.
• Ability to collaborate with automation engineers on phase logic optimization and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with electronic batch records (EBR) or MES interfaces.
• Understanding of scale-dependent risks, including flow distribution, pressure scaling, and residence time effects.
• Experience translating small-scale learnings into robust operating ranges for pilot or manufacturing scale.
• Experience supporting customer-facing troubleshooting, training, or technology transfer activities.
• Demonstrated proactive identification of process risks and continuous improvement opportunities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a laboratory environment and handle light to moderate lifting (up to ~50 lbs)
• Standing and walking for extended periods during experimental execution
• Manual dexterity to operate laboratory equipment and instrumentation

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $96,000.00–$137,000.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards