CAPEX & Engineering Lead

planetary is hiring!

About

About planetary

planetary is powering the bioeconomy. Operating out of Switzerland, we're building industrial-scale biomanufacturing capacity and fermentation IP globally using our proprietary BioBlocks™ technology platform.

Our technology is licensed to agricultural players around the world, empowering partners to build, own, and operate critical infrastructure that derives higher value from their main- and side-streams. Going forward, planetary will expand its footprint from food into sustainable, fermentation-based biomaterials and cosmetics.

We recently closed a €23M Series A led by Oetker Ventures and Royal Cosun — fuel for the next phase of scaling.

Job Description

Role Overview

We're looking for a CAPEX & Engineering Lead to drive the execution of large-scale capital investment projects at our industrial fermentation facility in Aarberg. This role is central to scaling our biomanufacturing infrastructure and expanding mycoprotein and precision fermentation production.

You'll take ownership of end-to-end CAPEX projects, from early design (FEL phases) through engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCM). On time, on budget, at the right quality.

But this isn't a pure project management role. We need someone who understands fermentation from the inside out — the process, the equipment, the engineering decisions that make or break a plant.

What you'll do

Lead CAPEX projects (multi-million €) from concept to commissioning, across Europe, Asia, and the Americas
Own all project phases: FEL, engineering, procurement, construction, startup
Manage external partners, EPCM contractors, and internal stakeholders
Align closely with production, engineering, and operations teams
Drive process optimization and plant expansion
Keep tight control over budget, timelines, and risk
Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and food-grade standards
Act as a hands-on leader, bridging strategy and on-site execution

Preferred Experience

Who you are

You understand what happens inside the bioreactor — not just around it. You've designed processes from scratch, selected equipment based on technical understanding, and have the engineering instinct to solve problems before they become expensive ones.

10+ years in bioprocess or fermentation engineering, with hands-on involvement in large-scale plant design, scale-up, and commissioning
CAPEX project ownership is a strong plus, but deep understanding of the fermentation process comes first
Proven track record on large-scale industrial projects (up to ~€50M)
Experience with EPCM project delivery models
Full project lifecycle experience (FEL-based execution)
Hands-on, pragmatic, execution-driven
Fluent in English; German is a strong plus

Profile:

Engineering depth combined with project leadership
Comfortable in a scale-up / industrial start-up environment
Strong stakeholder management, technical and non-technical
Not a pure "manager" — a doer who gets projects built

Recruitment Process

Recruitment Process

We run a focused and efficient process. Here's what to expect:

Application — Submit your CV and brief motivation
Intro call — 30-minute call with our recruiter to discuss your background and the role
Technical interview — In-depth conversation with Ian (CSO & Co-Founder) focused on your CAPEX project experience and engineering approach
Case discussion — A brief conversation around a relevant project scenario (no heavy prep required)
Final interview — Meeting with David (CEO)

We move fast and keep communication clear throughout. Total process typically takes 3–4 weeks.

Planetary is an equal opportunity employer actively recruiting for diversity. Through hiring, we aim to close the gender gap, create opinion plurality, fight age discrimination, foster cultural diversity and promote freedom of self-expression.

Additional Information

Contract Type: Full-Time
Start Date: 18 May 2026
Location: Aarberg
Education Level: Master's Degree
Experience: > 10 years
Occasional remote authorized

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