Associate Microbiologist

Precise Systems delivers integrated, mission-ready solutions that advance warfighter readiness and strengthen our nation’s most critical defense programs. Through the power of our combined capabilities, we provide deep expertise in Advanced Engineering; Digital Transformation; Electromagnetic Warfare; Interactive Training & Simulation; Physical Sciences Research; Platform Lifecycle Support; and Foreign Military Sales. Unified by decades of trusted performance and expanded through strategic growth, our team applies innovative technologies, engineering rigor, and customer-focused execution to solve complex challenges and accelerate mission success. Guided by our commitment to partnership, precision, and performance, we deliver the scalable solutions and technical excellence our customers depend on - today and into the future.

The Associate Microbiologist supports laboratory activities to validate and optimize bacterial strains for production of specified molecules. Under the guidance of senior laboratory staff, the incumbent conducts routine microbiology and bench-scale fermentation experiments; collects and documents technical data; and assists in evaluating conditions affecting organism growth, product output, and material costs.

This role requires in person support

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Culture, maintain, label, store, and preserve bacterial strains using established laboratory procedures.
• Prepare culture media, buffers, reagents, standards, and laboratory consumables.
• Perform routine aseptic techniques, including inoculation, plating, dilution, colony isolation, and culture monitoring.
• Assist with strain-validation experiments under established protocols and supervisory direction.
• Support operation and monitoring of bench-scale fermentation reactors up to 3 liters.
• Record fermentation conditions and observations, including temperature, pH, agitation, aeration, dissolved oxygen, sampling times, and culture appearance.
• Collect process samples and perform routine assays to measure bacterial growth, culture health, substrate use, and target-molecule output.
• Enter, organize, check, and summarize experimental data in laboratory notebooks, spreadsheets, and approved electronic systems.
• Assist senior staff with data review, preparation of graphs and tables, and identification of trends in growth and production performance.
• Support comparisons of media formulations, process conditions, and material use to help estimate laboratory-scale production costs.
• Clean, inspect, and assist with routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, glassware, fermentation systems, and work areas.
• Maintain inventory of reagents, media components, consumables, and bacterial stocks; notify the supervisor of supply needs.
• Follow approved standard operating procedures, laboratory safety requirements, biosafety practices, chemical hygiene procedures, and waste-disposal requirements.
• Participate in training, demonstrate increasing technical independence, and complete developmental assignments as directed.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the developmental nature of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field.
• 0-2 years' experience with the duties above
• Coursework, research, internship, or laboratory experience involving microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, fermentation, or related disciplines.
• Basic knowledge of bacterial culture techniques, aseptic practices, and laboratory safety principles.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions and perform work in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and organized laboratory records.
• Basic ability to use spreadsheets and other common software to organize and present technical data.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate observations, results, and potential issues to senior staff.

Desired Qualifications

• Undergraduate research, internship, co-op, or laboratory employment involving bacterial culture or fermentation.
• Familiarity with bench-scale bioreactors, shake-flask culture, or other microbial cultivation systems.
• Familiarity with spectrophotometry, optical-density measurements, colony counting, pH measurement, centrifugation, or similar routine laboratory techniques.
• Exposure to experimental design, data visualization, or introductory statistical analysis.
• Experience working in a documented laboratory environment using standard operating procedures.

Developmental Expectations

During the developmental period, the incumbent is expected to progress from performing routine tasks under close guidance to independently conducting assigned standard experiments. Expected growth areas include:

• Demonstrating consistent aseptic technique and reliable bacterial culture handling.
• Operating designated laboratory equipment and fermentation reactors in accordance with approved procedures.
• Recognizing and reporting abnormal culture behavior, potential contamination, equipment irregularities, or data-quality concerns.
• Preparing complete and traceable experimental documentation.
• Interpreting routine experimental results and communicating preliminary observations to senior staff.
• Supporting increasingly complex strain-validation and fermentation-optimization studies as proficiency is demonstrated.

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor or senior scientist assigns work, establishes priorities, provides protocols and technical guidance, and reviews completed work for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to laboratory requirements. As the incumbent gains experience, supervision is expected to decrease for recurring assignments performed under established procedures.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in a biology laboratory with bench-scale fermentation equipment, including reactors up to 3 liters. The incumbent uses appropriate personal protective equipment and follows applicable laboratory safety, biosafety, chemical-handling, and waste-management procedures. Duties may require extended standing, routine handling of laboratory supplies and equipment, and occasional lifting consistent with laboratory safety practices.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Precise Systems values employee contributions, promotes diverse opportunities for professional growth, and prioritizes overall well-being. Our comprehensive professional services benefits package includes health insurance, life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, disability insurance, retirement plans, holiday pay, employee-managed leave, and professional growth opportunities.

We recognize exceptional performance and alignment with our core values through our STAR Award recognition program.

Compensation at Precise Systems is determined by various factors, including education, experience, skills, competencies, and contract-specific requirements. The salary range for this position is The salary range for this position is $56,709.69 to $74,224.03 (annualized USD). This range represents the standard pay for this role and is just one component of Precise Systems’ total compensation package.

Precise Systems is committed to fair and equitable pay practices in alignment with applicable pay transparency laws and equal employment opportunity standards.

Precise Systems is dedicated to a shared vision and core values of Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, which foster innovation and drive our continued success in the global marketplace. Precise Systems and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, status as an individual with a disability, or any legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. Visit www.GoPrecise.com for a listing of current openings and our comprehensive, employee friendly benefits summary. Precise Systems participates in E-Verify.