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Crop Breeding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ohalo

Field Technical Development Lead

Watsonville, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $150K/yr

... from late-stage breeding through commercial readiness. Responsibilities include coordinating agronomic system development for planting, fertility, and crop protection with grower partners ...

Ohalo

Field Technical Development Lead

Bakersfield, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $150K/yr

... from late-stage breeding through commercial readiness. Responsibilities include coordinating agronomic system development for planting, fertility, and crop protection with grower partners ...

New

Syngenta Group

Research Technician Lead

Gilroy, CA · On-site

$48K - $61K/yr

Coordinate pollination activities across multiple breeding programs; organize seed harvesting, processing, and storage while ensuring accurate data collection and documentation for future crop ...

Syngenta

Research Technician Lead

Gilroy, CA · On-site

$48K - $61K/yr

Coordinate pollination activities across multiple breeding programs; organize seed harvesting, processing, and storage while ensuring accurate data collection and documentation for future crop ...

Syngenta Seeds

Research Technician Lead

Gilroy, CA

Coordinate pollination activities across multiple breeding programs; organize seed harvesting, processing, and storage while ensuring accurate data collection and documentation for future crop ...

The Gowan Co.

Product Manager

Yuma, AZ · On-site

Conduct yearly market analysis covering crop segments, competitive landscape, breeder and treater trends, and grower needs. * Manage marketing activities including product positioning and ...

The Gowan Co.

Product Manager

Yuma, AZ · On-site

Conduct yearly market analysis covering crop segments, competitive landscape, breeder and treater trends, and grower needs. * Manage marketing activities including product positioning and ...

Johnny's Selected Seeds

Pollination Crew

Albion, ME · On-site

$17.51/hr

No prior experience is required. • Vine training squash and pumpkin plants. • Crop care, including weeding and mulching with straw or hay • Other work assigned by Plant Breeding Technicians.

Johnny's Selected Seeds

Pollination Crew

Albion, ME

$15.25 - $19/hr

No prior experience is required. · Vine training squash and pumpkin plants. · Crop care, including weeding and mulching with straw or hay · Other work assigned by Plant Breeding Technicians.

Johnny's Selected Seeds

Pollination Crew

Albion, ME · On-site

$15.25 - $19/hr

No prior experience is required. · Vine training squash and pumpkin plants. · Crop care, including weeding and mulching with straw or hay · Other work assigned by Plant Breeding Technicians.

Syngenta

Research Technician Lead

Gilroy, CA

$48K - $61K/yr

Coordinate pollination activities across multiple breeding programs; organize seed harvesting, processing, and storage while ensuring accurate data collection and documentation for future crop ...

Tamus

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Uvalde, TX · On-site

... breeding of cultivars for vegetable crops and will assist Dr. Subas Malla in managing the logistics, reporting, communication, outreach, organization, and budget oversight for the 4-year USDA NIFA ...

Bayer

Field Associate II

Mason, MI · On-site

Additionally, this role is responsible for continuous improvement and strategic initiative projects that transform the way row crop plant breeding research is conducted within the organization ...

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$25K

$69.4K

$99K

How much do crop breeding jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for crop breeding in the United States is $69,416.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Crop Breeding vs Plant Geneticist?

AspectCrop BreedingPlant Geneticist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Agriculture, Plant Science, or related fields; experience in breeding programsDegree in Genetics, Plant Biology, or related; often advanced degrees for research roles
Work EnvironmentField trials, breeding stations, laboratoriesLaboratories, research institutions, universities
Industry UsageApplied breeding programs to develop new crop varietiesResearch on genetic mechanisms, gene editing, and trait development

While both roles focus on improving plants, Crop Breeding involves practical development of new crop varieties through crossing and selection, often in field settings. Plant Geneticists conduct research on plant genes and traits, often in labs, to understand and manipulate plant genetics. Both are essential in agriculture but differ in their focus and work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by crop breeders, and how can they be addressed in the workplace?

Crop breeders often encounter challenges such as managing long breeding cycles, adapting to changing climate conditions, and integrating new technologies like genomics into traditional methods. Addressing these obstacles typically involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, continuous learning, and staying updated on the latest scientific advancements. Employers often support breeders through training, access to advanced lab facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with researchers in genetics, data science, and agronomy, which helps to streamline processes and improve outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Crop Breeder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Crop Breeder, you need expertise in plant genetics, agronomy, and data analysis, usually supported by a degree in plant science, genetics, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as molecular markers, gene editing technologies, and statistical software is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the development of improved crop varieties, driving agricultural productivity and sustainability.

What is crop breeding?

Crop breeding is the science and practice of improving plants to develop new varieties with desirable traits such as higher yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved nutritional quality. Plant breeders use techniques like cross-breeding, selection, and modern genetic tools to combine the best traits from different plants. This process helps create crops that are more productive and better suited to specific environmental conditions, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
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Crop Breeding jobs near you

Field Technical Development Lead

Ohalo

Watsonville, CA • Hybrid

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Field Technical Development Lead

Location: Watsonville, CA or Bakersfield, CA (with 25-50% travel)

Type: Full-time

Reports into: Breeding

Opportunity: Ohalo has developed the world's first true hybrid potato seed system using its proprietary Boosted Breeding platform. This unprecedented advancement unlocks a step-change in potato farming, giving growers the ability to move from seed potato to true seed. Successful deployment of true seed requires rigorous variety testing alongside agronomic systems development.

Ohalo is seeking a Field Tech Dev Lead to support the development of hybrid true potato seed varieties from late-stage breeding through commercial readiness. Responsibilities include coordinating agronomic system development for planting, fertility, and crop protection with grower partners, coordinating field trials and early commercial trials across the US, data gathering and implementation of data collection systems, and feedback and support of grower partners and the broader Ohalo potato breeding organization.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in agronomic systems development with a detail-oriented approach to trial design and data gathering, and service-oriented approach to working with grower partners.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design, execute, and analyze regional and on-farm trials to validate performance, stability, and agronomic fit of new true seed hybrids.
  • Design and test multivariate agronomic systems to optimize in-field performance of new true seed hybrids.
  • Ensure robust data gathering of commercial and breeding field trials.
  • Support grower partners throughout field and commercial trials with in-field agronomic planning, in-season data gathering, and post-harvest phenotyping and data collection.
  • Serve as the technical bridge between breeding and commercial teams.
  • Provide technical input into variety positioning, launch planning, and market adoption, leveraging insights from trials to deliver field-ready agronomic recommendations.
Qualifications
  • Master's degree or higher in Agronomy, Plant Science, Horticulture, Crop Science, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of direct experience coordinating agronomic systems and methods testing and deployment.
  • Hands-on experience designing and managing field trials across multiple environments.
  • Familiarity with production-scale constraints and process control (sampling plans, SOP validation, QC thresholds).
  • Highly organized and data-oriented with a strong capacity for building standardized and scalable methods for data collection and grower communication.
  • Excellent communication skills. Ability to interpret agronomic and performance data and translate it into insights and documentation.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-moving, fluid, collaborative, and innovative environment.
  • Willingness to travel as needed to trial sites and partner locations. Travel amount will vary depending on activities for the timing of the year i.e. planting, harvesting, etc. (10%-50%+).
  • Highly motivated with a strong drive to meet company objectives.
  • Comfortable utilizing technological advancements, including AI and similar methodologies, to drive continuous improvements.
  • Innovative, proactive, and strategic thinker with a confident and humble approach to collaboration and problem-solving.
  • Excited to change the world with a novel hybrid seed program in the world's third largest calorie crop.
Preferred Experience
  • Strong digital agronomy experience and expertise.
  • Direct experience supporting launches of new hybrid seeds across international markets.
  • Familiarity with agronomic systems and grower adoption dynamics in the potato industry.

The anticipated pay range that we reasonably expect to pay for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 for Watsonville, CA. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience, education, skillset, and other relevant qualifications.

About Ohalo Genetics:

Ohalo™ aims to accelerate evolution to unlock nature's potential. Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding™, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more information, visit www.ohalo.com.

Notes: If you previously applied for a job at Ohalo Genetics, we encourage you to restate your interest in the position by submitting your application.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position at this time.

No recruiters, please.