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Bakery Research Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Food Technologist, R&D

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$68K - $91K/yr

From La Brea Bakery artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take ...

Staff Research Scientist

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$137.60 - $206.40/hr

About the Role We are seeking a research scientist to join our print development organization, a ... Design and execute experimental plans to test how print and bake parameters influence accuracy and ...

New

Food Technologist, R&D

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$68K - $91K/yr

From La Brea Bakery ® artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer ® cookies, our products are enjoyed by ... Growth & Development - Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise ...

Business Development Lead

Oakland, CA · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

... or bakery strongly preferred * Proven track record sourcing and closing new business, not just managing inherited accounts * Comfortable selling a technical product to R&D, procurement, and ...

QC Bakery Technician

CA · On-site

$25.62 - $32.02/hr

Finished Product Testing in a bakery setting * Daily maintenance and cleaning of the bake lab ... Provide technical guidance for diagnostic working with R&D, tools for root cause * Good Lab ...

Purchasing Specialist

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Bakery materials buyer stands at the forefront of the 85°C supply chain; and is individually ... Need to send out inquiry and access sample for Research and Development team can test for ...

Bakery materials buyer stands at the forefront of the 85°C supply chain; and is individually ... Need to send out inquiry and access sample for Research and Development team can test for ...

Sanitor

West Sacramento, CA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

As a sanitor for Artisan Bakers, you will be responsible for adhering to the general sanitation ... Our capabilities include private label baking, R&D development, custom formulations, and contract ...

Showing results 21-40

Bakery Research Development information

See California salary details

$19.7K

$95.3K

$149K

How much do bakery research development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for bakery research development in California is $95,306.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a bakery research development?

A Bakery Research Development job focuses on creating and improving bakery products through recipe formulation, ingredient testing, and production process optimization. Professionals in this role research new trends, ensure product quality, and work with food scientists and production teams to develop innovative baked goods. They may also test shelf life, enhance flavors, and adapt recipes for large-scale production while maintaining consistency and cost efficiency.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for someone in bakery research development?

In a Bakery Research Development role, you can expect to spend your days formulating new baked goods, testing ingredient combinations, analyzing product shelf life, and documenting recipes for consistency. You’ll often collaborate with marketing, production, and quality assurance teams to ensure product feasibility and compliance with regulations. The job may also involve troubleshooting production issues and conducting sensory evaluations and taste panels. This hands-on and collaborative environment is ideal for those who enjoy both creative problem-solving and technical experimentation in the food industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in bakery research development, and why are they important?

To excel in Bakery Research Development, you need a solid background in food science, baking technology, and product formulation, often supported by a degree in food science or a related field. Familiarity with lab equipment, baking machinery, sensory analysis tools, and knowledge of food safety standards or certifications such as HACCP is crucial. Creativity, strong project management, and effective teamwork skills are highly valued in this role. These competencies ensure the creation of innovative, safe, and marketable bakery products while efficiently leading projects from concept to commercialization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Bakery Research Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Bakery Research Development jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Bakery Research Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Bakery Research Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Bakery Research Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Bakery Research Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Bakery Research Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,306 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

Food Technologist, R&D

Aspire Bakeries

Van Nuys, CA • On-site

$68K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Aspire Bakeries rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

252nd of 442 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Hungry for a career that's as rewarding as it is delicious? 

At Aspire Bakeries, we don't just bake breads, cookies, and cakes - we create foods that bring people together. From La Brea Bakery artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take pride in their work and our food. 

We're looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that's on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves! 

With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you're ready to grow with us, we'd love to hear from you

 
Why You'll Love Working At Aspire Bakeries
  • Culture - Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
  • Health & Wellness - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs.
  • Work-Life Balance - Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.
  • Financial Security - A competitive 401(k) with immediate company match, plus short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
  • Growth & Development - Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries' learning and development programs.
  • Flexibility & Support - HSA and FSA plans to help you manage everyday expenses.
  • Recognition & Rewards - Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.
 
About the Role
We are seeking a Food Technologist to join our R & D team at our Van Nuys, CA. As a Food Technologist, you will be accountable for driving new product development and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring formulations meet customer expectations, regulatory standards, and operational feasibility. This role plays a critical part in bringing innovative, high-quality bakery products from concept to commercialization.
This role requires you to be onsite in Van Nuys, CA four days per week, giving you hands-on collaboration with the team and daily exposure to the pulse of the business.
 
Compensation 
 
Salary Range: $68,000- $91,000
 
Core Accountabilities (What You'll be Doing)
  • Lead new product development initiatives from concept through commercialization, aligned to customer needs and business goals
  • Develop and optimize formulations within defined constraints (cost, labeling, shelf life, and quality requirements)
  • Drive continuous improvement of existing products to meet evolving health, regulatory, and customer expectations
  • Partner cross-functionally with marketing, sales, operations, procurement, and regulatory teams to support product success
  • Serve as a technical resource by providing formulation expertise, training, and documentation to internal stakeholders
  • Conduct and interpret food quality and analytical testing to ensure product performance and compliance
  • Manage projects, timelines, and documentation within the concept-to-commercialization process
 
Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table) (Required to be considered)
  • AA/BS in Food Science or related field, or 1-2 years of industrial food development experience
  • Working knowledge of food formulation, ingredient functionality, and basic quality testing methods
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint (intermediate level)
  • Basic math skills and ability to read and interpret formulas and specifications
  • Strong communication, organization, and time management skills
  • Ability to work in a production environment, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 50 pounds
  • Willingness to travel domestically up to 20%
 
Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)
  • Additional culinary or bakery product development experience
  • Familiarity with SAP, Genesis, OEC Graphics, or Discovery systems
  • Knowledge of current food trends, clean label initiatives, and health-focused reformulations
  • Spanish language proficiency
  • Experience working within a concept-to-commercialization framework. 
 
Aspire Bakeries LLC values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. The final determination of a successful candidate's starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to location, shift, education, skill, and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed in this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants.


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