Company Description
Solmeyea is a biotechnology company that produces single-cell proteins from CO2 at industrial scale for human consumption in Europe. By localizing food protein production and using CO2 assimilation, the company achieves very low environmental impact in terms of carbon, water, and land use. Solmeyea operates under a circular bio-economy model, addressing climate change and food and protein scarcity in a sustainable way. The company’s work aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals and focuses on integrated cycles of food/protein production, CO2, water, and energy. Solmeyea has been recognized with the Seal of Excellence from the EU Commission for its innovative and impactful approach.As we advance toward demonstration-scale production and commercialization, we are expanding our operations team with hands-on professionals who enjoy working with industrial equipment, biological processes, and food manufacturing systems.
Learn more about our work in our company video.
Role Description
We are looking for a practical, hands-on Bioprocess & Food Production Operator to join our production team in Athens.You will operate and maintain pilot-scale fermentation and food-processing equipment, helping transform raw materials into high-quality protein ingredients. The role covers the production process from bioreactor operation and biomass harvesting to concentration, drying, and final product handling. This is an operational role for someone who enjoys being on the production floor,working with machinery, following procedures, solving technical problems, and ensuring that production runs safely, efficiently, and consistently.You will work closely with the Production Manager, process engineers, laboratory personnel, and quality team to execute production activities and support the scale-up of our technology.
Key Responsibilities
Fermentation Processing & Food Downstream Operations• Operate equipment for microbial biomass fermentation, harvesting, separation, concentration, and pre-treatment.• Prepare and handle process media, substrates, raw materials, and other production inputs according to established procedures.• Run downstream processing equipment, including mills, dryers, sieves, and product-handling systems.• Support the preparation, collection, weighing, and packaging of finished protein ingredients.• Monitor equipment performance and product characteristics to ensure consistent processing results.
Assist with equipment setup, process changeovers, and production runs.
Cleaning, Hygiene & Food Safety• Perform cleaning-in-place (CIP), equipment washing, and sanitation activities according to established procedures.• Prepare cleaning solutions and operate relevant cleaning systems safely.• Follow food hygiene, GMP, HACCP, and applicable food safety procedures.• Maintain clean production areas and ensure equipment is ready for the next production run.• Complete cleaning records and report any hygiene or safety concerns.
Production Execution & Equipment Care• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), production instructions, and batch records.• Maintain accurate production logs, material usage records, and equipment checklists.• Perform routine inspections and basic preventive maintenance, including cleaning, lubrication, and checks of pumps, valves, hoses, and connections where appropriate.• Support inventory management, raw material preparation, and safe material handling.• Assist with equipment installation, commissioning, and process improvements as the facility expands.• Follow all occupational health and safety requirements when working with industrial equipment, chemicals, pressurized systems, and hot surfaces.
Qualifications & SkillsRequired• Technical diploma, vocational training, or BSc in Food Technology, Biotechnology, Bioprocessing, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.• One hands-on experience in food production, food processing, industrial fermentation, beverage or dairy manufacturing, or a similar industrial environment.• Practical experience operating production equipment and following established operating procedures.• A strong hands-on and mechanical mindset, with the ability to identify equipment issues and carry out basic troubleshooting.• Good organizational skills and the discipline to maintain accurate production and cleaning records.• A strong commitment to hygiene, food safety, workplace safety, and product quality.• Ability to work in a production environment, including standing for extended periods and handling materials or equipment within applicable safety limits.
Nice to Have• Experience with industrial or pilot-scale bioreactors, pumps, tanks, heat exchangers, centrifuges, homogenizers, mills, or spray dryers.• Familiarity with CIP systems, sanitation procedures, GMP, HACCP, or FSSC 22000.• Experience in food ingredient manufacturing, protein processing, or microbial biomass production.• Basic understanding of process instrumentation, including pH, temperature, pressure, and flow measurement.• Experience with preventive maintenance, equipment commissioning, or industrial troubleshooting.
What We Offer• A hands-on operational role in a growing biotechnology company developing the next generation of sustainable food ingredients.• Direct involvement in real production activities, from fermentation to finished protein ingredients.• The opportunity to work with industrial food-processing and bioprocessing equipment.• Exposure to pilot-scale operations, technology scale-up, and demonstration- scale manufacturing.• Close collaboration with production, engineering, and quality teams in a practical, problem-solving environment.• Opportunities to develop technical skills and grow alongside the company as production capacity expands.
Join UsIf you enjoy working with industrial equipment, take pride in running production processes safely and reliably, and want to contribute to the future of sustainable food manufacturing, we would love to hear from you.Please send your CV and a short introduction about your relevant experience and motivation to info@solmeyea.com | diego@solmeyea.com.
Help us turn biotechnology into the next generation of food production.