Modern Synthesis is a London based biomaterial company connecting the dots between biology, material science and design to craft the next generation of biomaterials for the fashion industry. 

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ABOUT US 
Modern Synthesis is a venture-backed startup crafting the next generation of biomaterials by connecting the dots between biology, material science and design. 
We’re on a mission to create sustainable materials which reduce the fashion industry’s dependence on petrochemicals - without sacrificing performance or creativity. 
Our first material, which is grown by bacteria, is fully biodegradable and astonishingly strong. You can read more about it on <a href="https://modern-synthesis.com/microbial-weaving/">our website</a>.
 

 
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe that big magic happens when disparate disciplines, perspectives and ideas collide.
 
As a team of biologists, chemists, designers, engineers, business experts, robots and microbes, we get to witness this magic on a daily basis. From our strong culture of debate (hot takes always welcome 🌶️) to our bi-weekly deep dives, we intentionally embed collaboration and growth into everything we do.
 
In line with this, we’re committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within both our organisation and the wider bioeconomy. The way we see it, a diverse and inclusive team is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s 1+1=3, which not only creates a rich work environment, but also makes good business sense.
 
We hire people, not roles, so we can be flexible on scope. We strongly encourage you to apply
if you think you’re qualified for a portion of this role, and can demonstrate a proven ability to take on new skills and challenges.
 
OUR VALUES
 
Growth
<ul><li>building with optimism and resilience, able to adapt and thrive in the face of challenges; vision and scale to help the world grow up from harmful past, bias for impact; push for new techniques, technologies, methods, capital; a new evolution in design and materials; desire for personal growth; a nod to the natural world and to how we develop our materials</li></ul>
Co-culture 
<ul><li>community; desire for cross-pollination internally and externally; ability to lean on &amp; adapt to one another; shared work towards a common goal; collaborations across scales–from microorganisms to large companies; our place and relationship without our network; influence within wider cultures of research, design, business, and fashion</li></ul>
By Design
<ul><li>intentionality, curiosity, and creativity built into process; inspiring our community by doing (rather than telling); appreciation of the maker and craftsmanship; contextualizes our work within fashion space; design as ‘interdisciplinary connector’ between different topics, processes, and developments</li></ul>
 
ABOUT THE ROLE
Are you excited to produce new high performance biomaterials? We’re looking for a Senior Design Engineer with experience in designing and improving complex production systems.
You will joining us at a hugely exciting time, developing and building new manufacturing equipment &amp; tools as well as developing production processes and scaling these from pilot to manufacturing.
As we are a startup in a new field, this role will involve lots of fundamental development of equipment and requires a strong “hands on” mindset to be successful. You’ll be making a meaningful contribution to transition to a circular bioeconomy, fighting the climate crisis and plastic pollution.
 
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
<ul>
<li>Lead team and be hands on yourself in designing and build tools &amp; machines for biomaterial &amp; textile manufacturing infrastructure</li>
<li>Work across the business to feed in to strategic decision making and progression towards our Company Goals</li>
<li>CAD modelling, simulation and preparation of assembly &amp; technical drawings</li>
<li>Create prototypes through external manufacturers or in our inhouse workshops (hands on building with metal, lathes, milling, cnc, additive)</li>
<li>Create prototypes utilising low cost sensors and physical computing tools (e.g Arduinos, Raspberry Pi)</li>
<li>Value analysis, de-risking and validation as continuous principles of our design ethos</li>
<li>Drive scale up development for continuous production (production process &amp; planning, design &amp; modelling)</li>
<li>Production system integration: Identify and transfer lab production parameters into pilot manufacturing</li>
<li>Troubleshoot manufacturing processes (directly discuss and analyse with production operators and production managers)</li>
<li>Create technical reports, engineering reports and SOPs for manufacturing</li>
<li>Set up new safety standards, guidelines &amp; risk assessments. Revise existing policies</li>
<li>Lead engineering projects (scope, timeline, costs, stakeholder alignment)</li>
<li>Liaise with suppliers &amp; external manufacturers</li>
<li>Research and source new equipment, components and materials</li>
<li>Present project progress and achievements to a variety of stakeholders</li>
<li>Manage and motivate small team</li>
</ul>
 We welcome applicants that don’t necessarily tick all the boxes. If you feel that you tick most of them and are willing to learn the rest, we encourage you to apply. 
<ul>
<li>Degree or extensive (5 years+) experience in Design Engineering. Mech Eng, Process Eng, Manufacturing or Industrial Design</li>
<li>Experience with developing industrial manufacturing processes</li>
<li>Expert knowledge and experience with engineering software packages and CAD tools</li>
<li>High proficiency in creating technical &amp; assembly drawings</li>
<li>Coding experience (i.e. Arduino, Grbl, Gcode)</li>
<li>Great applied fabrication skills &amp; mechanical materials knowledge</li>
<li>Analytical Mindset &amp; data driven workflow</li>
<li>Very good problem solving skills: open to invent and find unusual solutions to unusual problems</li>
<li>Strong interpersonal skills - able to work with and support team members from different backgrounds and disciplines</li>
<li>Comfortable with rapid innovation cycles and constant growth that comes with working in a startup - proactive and flexible to take on new tasks and challenges</li>
<li>Passion for sustainability and impact</li>
</ul>
 
Beneficial experience:
<ul>
<li>Team lead/management experience</li>
<li>Textile manufacturing experience</li>
<li>Experience of quality-control procedures &amp; process improvement methodologies (e.g. lean, agile)</li>
<li>Visual programming knowledge (Grasshopper)</li>
<li>Further coding experience (Python, C#)</li>
<li>Good working knowledge of high precision manufacturing with tight tolerancing</li>
<li>Knowledge of textile processing, roll to roll/continuous material production lines</li>
<li>Design and sourcing of pilot and demo scale equipment</li>
</ul>
 
BENEFITS <ul>
<li>Brand new, dog-friendly office and lab in Southwest London</li>
<li>Interdisciplinary team with opportunities for growth and career progression</li>
<li>Flexible working, both in terms of working hours and location</li>
<li>Tailored development support from world-leading experts and advisors</li>
<li>Bike to work scheme</li>
<li>Private health insurance including dental and vision stipends</li>
<li>Regular lunches and company events</li>
<li>Enhanced parental leave policy</li>
<li>Potential to create real, positive impact</li>
</ul>
 HIRING DETAILS 
Manager: Chief Technology Officer/Head of Engineering
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 yearly
Desired start date: May 2023
Location: London (1 to 2 days WFH is possible with agreement from your team)
Please note you must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this job, as we do not currently have capacity to sponsor.
 
OUR HIRING PROCESS
Round 0. Apply online with a cover letter (or introduction to yourself in another format) and CV and submit link(s) to your portfolio of work (nice to have, but not required).
Round 1. 30 minute exploratory interview where we’ll dive into your work history and motivations for applying to Modern Synthesis.
Round 2. 1 hour skills interview where we’ll explore the skills and knowledge you’ll bring to this role. Successful candidates will have a take home case study to complete before round 3.
Round 3. 1 hour case study review in-person interview where you walk us through your ideas and thinking on the case study. We will also give your a tour of our office and have you meet some of the wider team you would be interacting with in your role. 
 
We recognise recruitment is not one-size-fits-all and we're happy to tailor this process to better meet the needs of individual applicants. Please email people@mod-synth.com with any requests for support.

Senior Design Engineer

ABOUT US 
Modern Synthesis is a venture-backed start-up crafting the next generation of biomaterials by connecting the dots between biology, material science and design.
We’re on a mission to create sustainable materials which reduce the fashion industry’s dependence on petrochemicals - without sacrificing performance or creativity.
Our first material, which is grown by bacteria, is fully biodegradable and astonishingly strong. 
You can read more about it on <a href="https://modern-synthesis.com/microbial-weaving/">our website</a>.
 
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe that disruptive innovation happens when disparate disciplines, perspectives and ideas collide.
As a team of material scientists, biologists, chemists, designers, engineers, business experts, robots and microbes, we get to innovate on a daily basis. From our strong culture of debate (hot takes always welcome 🌶️) to our bi-weekly deep dives, we intentionally embed collaboration and growth into everything we do.
In line with this, we’re committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within both our organisation and the wider bioeconomy. The way we see it, a diverse and inclusive team is greater than the sum of its parts allowing for greater innovation to take place.
 
We hire people, not roles, so we can be flexible on scope. We strongly encourage you to apply if you think you’re qualified for a portion of this role, and can demonstrate a proven ability to take on new skills and challenges.
 BENEFITS
<ul>
<ul><li>Competitive salary &amp; pension plan</li></ul>
<ul><li>Private health insurance including dental</li></ul>
<ul><li>25 days leave + 3 day winter shutdown and UK bank holidays</li></ul>
<ul><li>Brand New Facility including Lab Space in London</li></ul>
<ul><li>Dog friendly office</li></ul>
<ul><li>Interdisciplinary team with opportunities for learning and growth</li></ul>
<ul><li>Flexible working subject to agreement</li></ul>
<ul><li>Enhanced Parental Leave Policy</li></ul>
<ul><li>Support from world leading experts and advisors</li></ul>
<ul>
<li>Regular Company events</li>
<li>Real world, positive impact</li>
</ul>
</ul>
 
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are excited to be looking for a highly experienced, strategic, decisive and forward-thinking Technologist to take us to the next stage of our evolution as we scale our business from pilot stage to manufacturing. This will be a key role within the organisation, reporting to the CTO to manage our manufacturing technology and lead the way to full production scale.
You will lead a growing multidisciplinary team of 3 (we expect this team to at least double in size over the next 12 months) within Production and Engineering, responsible for strategic decision making, team hiring and development, and ongoing adherence to project timelines and quality metrics. You will use the incredible work that the core team has done over the last 2 years to build and develop our processes and technology, ensuring we continue to innovate whilst maximising our productivity.
You believe in best practice and will make critical business decisions in line with our company goals. You will ensure that we remain focused on our strategic mission, while ensuring we retain our internal focus on having a diverse, inclusive and innovative team.
You will be a champion for Modern Synthesis, supporting cutting edge R&amp;D and academic collaborations to develop the future of biomaterial technologies.
As we are searching globally to find the best candidate for this role, we are able to sponsor a UK work visa if necessary. We will be interviewing on a rolling basis, with a view to hire within the first half of 2023. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
 
<ul>
<li>Own the business’s long-term Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy, working closely and collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure alignment and progress</li>
<li>Plan, resource and lead collaborative engineering development projects</li>
<li>Use your extensive experience to work with your team on design of experiments, data analysis, interpretation and documentation</li>
<li>Develop and implement technologies and equipment to improve the production process with a focus on sustained long-term competitive advantage</li>
<li>Hire, inspire and lead; build an exceptional technical culture, attracting and retaining a diverse group of high performing scientists and engineers</li>
<li>Responsible for adherence to health &amp; safety and environmental matters, leading change initiatives to constantly be improving and performing in these areas</li>
<li>In collaboration with the CTO, lead IP development for successful scale up for technologies</li>
<li>Use your existing knowledge to support techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessments of the company’s processes</li>
<li>Negotiate joint Development, Supply or Manufacturing Agreements and support development projects with leading fashion brands to develop new performance materials</li>
<li>Maintain relationships with key stakeholders and support customer interactions; incorporate stakeholder feedback to inform technical activities</li>
</ul>
 
ABOUT YOU
 
We welcome applicants that don’t necessarily tick all the boxes. If you feel that you tick most of them and are willing to learn the rest, we encourage you to apply. 
 
 
<ul>
<li>Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Process Engineering or similar</li>
<li>Significant previous relevant Biotechnology Industry experience (at least 10 years) leading significant change; a proven track record of success in ambitious technical projects including scaling up a technology</li>
<li>Experience with pilot and demo scale material production processes in a similar space</li>
<li>Demonstrable multidisciplinary team leadership experience, driving high performance</li>
<li>Excellent network within the European RTO space that can support biotechnology development and scale up</li>
<li>Experience in IP strategies for scaling up technologies</li>
<li>Comfortable with rapid innovation cycles and constant growth that comes with working in a startup - proactive and flexible to take on new tasks and challenges</li>
<li>Experience/working knowledge in lean/agile manufacturing methodologies</li>
<li>Passion for sustainability and impact</li>
</ul>
Beneficial experience:
<ul>
<li>Textile and/or composite production processes</li>
<li>Expertise in textile production processes at a range of scales</li>
<li>Experience with fermentation processes</li>
<li>Knowledge of cellulose material science and chemistries</li>
<li>Knowledge of textile chemistries and finishing</li>
<li>Design and sourcing of pilot and demo scale equipment</li>
<li>Experience writing grant and patent applications</li>
</ul>
 
OUR HIRING PROCESS
Round 0. Apply online with CV and cover letter (or alternative format introduction to yourself, like a video)
Round 1. 30 minute exploratory interview with the hiring manager where we’ll explore your work history and motivations for applying to Modern Synthesis.
Round 2. A 1 hour interview with our CEO, CTO and Chief of Staff, where we will get to know you as a leader and influencer 
Round 3. 1 hour skills interview with members of the Technology and Engineering teams, where we’ll explore the skills and knowledge you’ll bring to this role. Questions and topics that will be the focus of the interview will be shared 1 week prior to the interview date.
Round 4. A 1 hour final in-person interview at our South West London facility, where you will meet some key team members. We will give you a tour of our lab, and then ask that you present on a prepared topic to a multidisciplinary panel, followed by a chat to ask you some further technical questions and ensure that we are the best technical and cultural fit for each other.
We recognise recruitment is not one-size-fits-all and we're happy to tailor this process to better meet the needs of individual applicants. Please email people@mod-synth.com with any requests for support.

Head of Engineering (Innovative Biotechnology and Textile Manufacturing)

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