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Cheese Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Research Engineer

Hilmar, CA ยท On-site

$111K - $153K/yr

The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service ... Develop, evaluate and scale up new processing technologies, with consideration of the scientific ...

Principal Scientist

Buffalo, NY ยท On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

The Principal Scientist will be responsible for the technological part of projects, to improve ... Strong Cheese process knowledge * Strong Food Technology knowledge (Microbiology / Physics ...

... Cheese & Dairy, Enhancers, or M&D BU within a 12 month timeframe. Job complexity involves heavy ... Qualifications Ability to work independently under the direction of senior Scientists/Engineers ...

Pizza Hut is looking for a highly driven Senior Food Scientist to support product innovation ... Cheese, Sauce, Proteins, Vegetables * Ability to manage multiple projects across the globe to ...

Apply scientific principles and understandings to evaluate ideas and opportunities.Develop and ... with ingredients, cheese, and cultured dairy products experience preferred.Significant ...

... cheese sauces and products * Demonstrated staff leadership attributes or staff management ... Dairy science and Dairy Microbiology Knowledge, Skills and Abilities * Food safety programs and ...

... as yogurt, cheese, UHT milk, cream cheese, buttermilk, and sour cream, including HPLC-based ... Established network within the dairy or food science community Why Choose Us? * Contribute to ...

Information Technology Internship

Irving, TX ยท On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Cheese, Peter Piper Pizza, and Chuck's Arcade brands, intern program offers real-world experience ... Computer Science * IT Operations Support If we do not currently have an open position in your field ...

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Cheese Scientist information

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How much do cheese scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for cheese scientist in the United States is $90,961.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $100,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cheese scientist?

A Cheese Scientist, also known as a Dairy Scientist or Cheese Technologist, studies and improves cheese production, quality, and safety. They work with ingredients, microbial cultures, and aging processes to develop new cheese varieties and enhance existing ones. Cheese Scientists often collaborate with dairy producers, conduct laboratory experiments, and ensure regulatory compliance. Their role combines food science, microbiology, and chemistry to produce high-quality cheese products.

What does a cheese scientist do?

Cheese Scientists are often engaged in a mix of hands-on research and product development projects, such as developing new cheese varieties, improving existing production processes, or enhancing product shelf life and texture. Daily tasks might include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing microbial and chemical properties of cheeses, and collaborating with production teams to troubleshoot issues. Teamwork is common, involving regular interaction with quality assurance specialists, marketing, and regulatory personnel. These responsibilities give Cheese Scientists unique opportunities for innovation while contributing directly to the success of the business and the satisfaction of customers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a cheese scientist?

A Cheese Scientist requires a strong background in food science, microbiology, and dairy technology, usually with at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Technical expertise with laboratory equipment, microbial analysis systems, and familiarity with quality control and safety certifications like HACCP are typically necessary. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective teamwork and communication skills help Cheese Scientists excel in collaborative and innovative environments. These abilities ensure that cheese products are consistently high quality, safe, and meet evolving industry and consumer standards.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Cheese Scientist jobs?

The most popular types of Cheese Scientist jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Cheese Scientist jobs?

For Cheese Scientist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Cheese Scientist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $90,961 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Senior Research Engineer

Hilmar, CA โ€ข On-site

$111K - $153K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the development, scale-up, and improvement of cheese and milk-derived food processing technologies and products.

  • Design, supervise, and conduct research experiments at various scales to develop new or improved processes and evaluate their applicability and benefits.

  • Provide technical support and collaborate with internal teams and external partners to optimize processes, troubleshoot issues, and develop new products.


Job description

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Typical Day

Lead development and understanding of current and new processes, technologies, and products: Design, supervise and conduct research experiments at bench, pilot plant and commercial scale to develop new or improved processes to produce new or existing cheese and milk derived food ingredients to support strategic and tactical objectives of the company. Lead opportunities to improve process efficiency and product quality. Design measurement and control systems for the production process based on research experiments and fundamental knowledge of dairy science and engineering principles. ย Develop, evaluate and scale up new processing technologies, with consideration of the scientific principles around their operations allowing with determining their cost, applicability, and benefit to supporting Hilmar Strategy. Provide technical support to Sales, Marketing, QA, Business Analyst, and Manufacturing.ย 

Job Responsibilities

Operating as a SME partners with other peers in the company to consistently deliver technical excellence.
Lead the development and scale up of new processes and products.
Design, supervise and conduct research experiments utilizing analytical instruments as well as bench, pilot plant and commercial scale equipment.
Continuously develop fundamental knowledge of technology and principles behind cheese and whey processing and use this knowledge to improve Hilmar manufacturing and product capability.
Develop business understanding of the new product/process to manufacturing through the transfer of technical knowledge and the development of standard operating procedures and training.
Troubleshoot situations as they arise in the lab and the manufacturing plant(s) as processes and procedures are implemented.ย 
Support operations to achieve optimal process efficiency and performance.
Provide technical support for financial and risk analysis. ย 
Collaborates with external technology partners and customers on opportunities to develop new or improved products and processes.
Maintain records and results on projects and experimental performance.ย 
Communicate research findings and knowledge of products internally and externally through seminars, reports, presentations, and training.
Promote company cultures and achieve common business goals through cooperative alignment with other departments.

What You Will Need

English skills must be proficient to understand, read, write and speak English.
Master's degree and 5 years of related experience, or PhD and 3 years of related experience in Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Processing and Technology, Biological Engineering, Biosystem Engineering, or a related field.
Knowledge of research principles and ability to perform experiments requiring precise control of process variables and execution of complicated methods.ย 
Good knowledge of engineering science and technology as applied to dairy processes and food ingredient manufacturing.ย 
Good knowledge of experimental design, methods of data analysis, and basic statistics and ability to apply analytical skills in process troubleshooting and product development.
Ability to effectively use common lab and pilot plant instruments/equipment and interpret their outcomes. ย 
Good organizational skills and ability to work with multiple projects and deadlines.
Strong communication skills including presentation of scientific materials.ย 

What Will Put You Ahead

Master's degree and 8 years of related experience or PHD and 5 years' related experience.
Fundamental and practical knowledge of various dairy processing technologies and their applications.
Fundamental and practical knowledge of novel food processing technologies.
Ability to Model and validate simple and complex processes.
Demonstrated hands-on dairy products and dairy process development experience from its inception to scale-up and commercialization.ย 
Possess extensive knowledge and experience within the categories of dairy products, F&B categories, and nutritional/ functional food products.
Good knowledge of chemistry, specifically in the field of dairy chemistry and protein chemistry and ability to apply the knowledge to process troubleshooting and product development.ย 

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to:
Stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk or hear.
Employees must be physically capable of working in any of the job tasks within their respective area.
Required to work at heights and in fairly small areas.
Pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, handling and grasping, twisting/turning, repetitive bending.
Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to the following:ย 
Exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, or other irritating substances.
Exposure to solvents or chemicals.
Exposure to slippery walking surfaces: water.
Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity depending on time of year.

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

English Informationย |ย Spanish Information

Salary Range: USD ($87,865.00 - $131,798.00) ANNย 

The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.