Manufacturing Associate

Vow is a cultured meat company on a mission to feed billions and create food that's good for your tastebuds, your health and your planet. We're bringing together cutting edge innovations in science, engineering, culinary and design to create new meats that meat lovers can choose selfishly because it's nutritious and delicious, and we're doing so in a sustainable way. Want to join us?

We're on the search

The Role+
We're looking for a Manufacturing Associate to join our New Product Introduction (NPI) team working in our Alexandria facility. In this role, you'll take breakthrough ideas from R&D and make them work at scale on the factory floor. You'll run end-to-end process runs at pilot and production scales, proving when new processes work, and figuring out how to fix them when they don't. The work ranges from scaling new cell lines, to trialling equipment, to refining processes for efficiency. It also means the discipline of production-style operations, monitoring, drawing and filling, and keeping runs on track. This is physical, hands-on work that can involve long days or weekend shifts, using large-scale equipment like stainless steel bioreactors, mixing systems, and fluid transfer setups. This role is for someone who loves being hands-on, thrives in high-energy environments, and wants to make a visible impact: without your work, new products can't make it to market.
Your Experience+
- Experience running and improving production processes, ideally involving stainless steel bioreactors, mixing systems, fluid transfer, or separation technologies, but we are open to other industries. - A hands-on, practical approach, you enjoy being on the floor, running end-to-end processes, and solving problems in real time - Comfort with physical, on-your-feet workwork and variable hours, including weekend shifts, and on-call rotations - Strong collaboration skills, with evidence of working closely across diverse teams (scientists, engineers, operators, technicians etc) - A bias to action and low ego, willing to jump in and do whatever's needed, from troubleshooting to cleaning down - Resilient and able to adapt to changing goals and remain steady in the face of repeated setbacks. - Curiosity and willingness to ask questions. You are eager to understand why processes behave the way they do and how to make them better Nice to haves: - Experience with brewing, fermentation, or bioreactor operation up to 20,000 L, ideally in stainless steel bioreactors with an emphasis on mammalian cell culture - Experience with commissioning, validation, or CQV (commissioning, qualification, validation) activities, particularly in scaling or handing over new processes and equipment.
What you'll do+
Run and improve processes - Operate end-to-end runs at pilot and production scales, from setup through to harvest - Monitor and troubleshoot issues in real time (e.g. cell growth, pH regulation, oxygen transfer) - Work hands-on with large-scale equipment like stainless steel bioreactors, mixing systems, and fluid transfer setups - Trial and improve new equipment and processes, providing feedback on performance and reliability - Keep processes efficient, consistent, and safe through cleaning, maintenance, and optimisation Contribute to innovation - Be part of developing the next generation of biological manufacturing processes, from testing new technologies to finding smarter ways to scale - Provide feedback and ideas that help shape how new products are made at Vow Collaborate across teams - Work closely with scientists, engineers, and operators to transition new processes from R&D into manufacturing - Share insights and learnings from runs to help refine processes and equipment design - Be a flexible, low-ego contributor, willing to pitch in wherever the team needs support Maintain quality and discipline - Follow SOPs, safety protocols, and quality systems to ensure runs meet regulatory and food safety standards - Keep accurate records of process runs, deviations, and outcomes - Participate in shift, weekend, and on-call rotations as part of the NPI team, and bring the focus needed to keep long, physical runs on track
Success is+
In your first month, you will: - Learn Vow's core NPI processes and equipment, and complete training across key operations - Support your first end-to-end process runs, gaining exposure to both experimental trials and production-style operations - Build strong working relationships across the NPI, R&D, and Manufacturing teams Within three months, you will: - Confidently run end-to-end processes with minimal supervision, from setup through to harvest - Troubleshoot common biological and process issues in real time, keeping runs on track - Contribute feedback on new processes and equipment trials, helping shape improvements Within your first year, you will: - Take ownership of specific NPI processes, becoming the go-to person for running and improving them at scale - Play a key role in moving new cell lines, processes, or equipment from R&D into production readiness - Demonstrate measurable impact through improved efficiency, consistency, or reliability of runs - Be recognised as a flexible, collaborative teammate who helps make the impossible possible, ensuring Vow's new products can scale from idea to reality
So, why join us?
A diverse, mission-led, dream team of Vowzers
Our mission is to feed billions, which means making food products for everyone. To do this we need a team that's representative of the people we serve. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view and have built a culture to match. Be yourself and come as you are.
Learn from the best
Our team includes some of the world's top scientists, innovators, operators, and creatives with decades of industry experience. Despite our experiences, we all strive to build, break, learn, and repeat. We see the impossible as temporary and strive to learn and support our company and fellow Vowzers' growth as much as possible.
Cutting-edge technology
We're bringing together innovations in science, engineering, and food, to create the world's most unique culinary experiences. All without compromising on ethics or our planet. Since our inception in 2019, we have held the title of being the first startup to cultivate meat from the cells of an undomesticated animal. We're wild because we can be.
Backed by the best
We can make a real impact thanks to our investors Blackbird Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Grok Ventures, Tenacious Ventures, P7 Ventures, Toyota Ventures and PeakBridge VC.
Perks & Perks
Everyone is an owner
In addition to competitive base salaries, each and every 'Vowzer' owns equity in the company so we can all benefit from our hard work and future success.
Paid parental leave
For those who choose to start a family, we offer 8 weeks of paid caregiver leave and an additional 8 weeks paid leave for the birth giver.
Relocation budget & support
We offer support for interstate or overseas team members, their families and, of course, their pets.
Unlimited personal leave
We understand life is hard sometimes. Emergencies happen, kids get sick, medical complications make it hard to be our best selves. Whatever the case, when faced with truly difficult situations, we don't want you to worry about work. Which is why Vow has an unlimited personal leave policy. We'll keep the lights on while you take care of yourself.
Flexible working hours and location
We value work-life balance and we recognise that everyone works differently. We want you to do your best work, so you can choose how and where you do it.
Converted warehouse 'campus'
Complete with a glass-walled lab, manufacturing lines, snacks, a culinary centre and professional-grade coffee machine.
Heaps of tasty samples from our culinary centre
Our fantastic "food inventors" on the Vow team are always cooking up new product prototypes, and all Vowzers are given the opportunity to taste, give feedback, and learn from their culinary prowess.
Human and dog friendly office
An inclusive community and culture, in a welcoming office, we encourage you to bring your true self…and your dogs.
A variety of social clubs
It's Vowzers who make our culture. From book clubs to hiking groups, we're always looking for ways to learn and engage with each other.
Everyone is an owner
In addition to competitive base salaries, each and every 'Vowzer' owns equity in the company so we can all benefit from our hard work and future success.
Generous paid parental leave
For those who choose to start a family, we offer 8 weeks of paid caregiver leave and an additional 8 weeks paid leave for the birth giver.
Generous relocation budget & support
We offer support for interstate or overseas team members, their families and, of course, their pets.
Flexible working hours and location
We value work-life balance and we recognise that everyone works differently. We want you to do your best work, so you can choose how and where you do it.
Unlimited personal leave
Sometimes you need time off to recuperate, look after your mental health, or simply deal with an emergency. We put unlimited personal leave in place to empower you to bring your best self to work every day.
Heaps of tasty samples from our culinary centre
Our fantastic "food inventors" on the Vow team are always cooking up new product prototypes, and all Vowzers are given the opportunity to taste, give feedback, and learn from their culinary prowess.
Converted warehouse 'campus'
Complete with a glass-walled lab, manufacturing lines, snacks, a culinary centre and professional-grade coffee machine.
A variety of social clubs
It's Vowzers who make our culture. From book clubs to hiking groups, we're always looking for ways to learn and engage with each other.
Human and dog friendly office
An inclusive community and culture, in a welcoming office, we encourage you to bring your true self…and your dogs.

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