Head – Industrial Innovation & Mechanical Engineering

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh · On-site · Full-time

About the role

We are building a precision fermentation plant in Bhopal, and most of the engineering problems in front of us do not have off-the-shelf answers. For some of what we need, there is no standard equipment, no vendor catalog, and no proven playbook. Many of these problems sit precisely where biology meets mechanical engineering.

Our plant runs today. Over the next two years it has to scale roughly ten times — more fermentation capacity, alongside a full downstream train covering centrifugation, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, ion exchange, nanofiltration and spray drying. The job is to work out how to do that economically and quickly.

You will work directly with the founder on the engineering decisions that determine whether this plant succeeds. Very few roles in Indian industry put so much weight on one engineer's judgement.

What you will do

Engineering innovation and problem solving

- Solve engineering problems that do not yet have established solutions
- Apply first-principles thinking to design practical, buildable answers
- Translate process requirements into systems that scale
- Lead concept development, prototyping, testing, iteration and implementation
- Drive projects from idea to running equipment, balancing technical quality, speed and cost
- Work closely with internal teams and external partners

Vendor development and techno-commercial evaluation

- Identify and develop equipment manufacturers, fabricators, consultants and technology partners




- Lead technical discussions, design reviews, factory visits and commercial evaluations
- Use AI tools and up-to-date engineering software to move faster on analysis and decisions
- Track emerging technology and identify what is worth adopting

What we are looking for

- B.Tech or M.Tech in Mechanical, Production or Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline
- 10+ years in industrial, manufacturing, process or equipment engineering
- Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, specialty chemicals, automation, industrial equipment or process industries is an advantage

You will do well here if you

- Think from first principles
- Care about engineering detail more than most people think is reasonable
- Are resourceful, hands-on and cost-conscious
- Would rather solve a problem nobody has solved than optimise one that already works
- Move fast, and finish things
- Believe impossible problems are just engineering problems that have not been worked on properly yet

About StrainX

StrainX Bioworks is a precision fermentation company with a working factory in Bhopal and an R&D; center in Bangalore. We are venture-backed, have more than a hundred people, and have been building for three years — most of it without saying much publicly.

Location and relocation

This role is on-site in Bhopal. We support relocation and are happy to discuss it openly in the first conversation.

To apply

Write to [HIDDEN TEXT] with your CV and a short note on the hardest engineering problem you have personally solved. We read every one.

📌 Head - Industrial Innovation & Mechanical Engineering (Bhopal)
🏢 StrainX Bioworks
📍 Bhopal