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Entry Level Food Product Development Jobs in California

Oobli

Food Technologist, Product Development

Davis, CA · On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Food Technologist, Product Development Davis, CA, Full-time, on-site Role Description You will be a core member of the Product Development team, responsible for developing prototypes and generating ...

Oobli

Food Technologist, Product Development

Davis, CA · On-site

Salary: $60,000-$90,000 per year Food Technologist, Product Development Davis, CA, Full-time, on-site Role Description You will be a core member of the Product Development team, responsible for ...

Oobli

Food Technologist, Product Development

Davis, CA

$60K - $90K/yr

Food Technologist, Product Development Davis, CA, Full-time, on-site Role Description You will be a core member of the Product Development team, responsible for developing prototypes and generating ...

REVOLVE

Product Development Assistant

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Has entry level understanding of Product Life Cycle and the importance of adhering to deadlines, to help ensure timely developments * Responsible for tracking, unpacking, distributing samples ...

GFF

R & D Product Development Specialist

La Puente, CA · On-site

$75K/yr

Must have a Degree in Technical Course (Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc.) or equivalent work experience. * 2-3 years' experience in Product Development position. * Skilled in statistical ...

Stir Foods

Development Chef

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

We are a fast-growing food organization with 2 production facilities in So Cal. Department: Culinary Reports To: Director of Culinary R&D Job Location: Orange/ Fullerton, CA Hours/Week: Monday ...

King's Hawaiian

Product Developer

Torrance, CA · On-site

This role will report to the Manager, Product Development and be a part of a multi-disciplinary Innovation & Commercialization team with a start-up type culture. With a team of Food Scientists and ...

Ifg

Product Developer

Torrance, CA · On-site

This role will report to the Manager, Product Development and be a part of a multi-disciplinary Innovation & Commercialization team with a start-up type culture. With a team of Food Scientists and ...

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Entry Level Food Product Development information

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How much do entry level food product development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level food product development in California is $24.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.14 and $25.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level food product development professional?

To thrive in Entry Level Food Product Development, you need a background in food science, nutrition, or a related field, along with knowledge of food safety and quality standards. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, sensory evaluation methods, and data analysis software like Excel or specialized food industry tools is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong teamwork skills help you generate innovative products and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the successful creation, testing, and launch of safe, appealing, and marketable food products.

What is an entry level food product development job?

Entry level food product development jobs are positions for individuals who are starting their careers in creating and improving food products. These roles often involve working with food scientists and technologists to help formulate new food items, conduct sensory testing, and ensure food safety and quality standards. Typical tasks include assisting in recipe development, preparing samples, running experiments, and documenting results. These positions usually require a degree in food science, nutrition, or a related field and offer valuable experience in the food industry.

What is the difference between Entry Level Food Product Development vs Food Technologist?

AspectEntry Level Food Product DevelopmentFood Technologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Food Science or related fieldBachelor's in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentProduct development labs, R&D departmentsManufacturing plants, quality control labs
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, startups, R&D firmsFood manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory agencies

Entry Level Food Product Development focuses on creating new food products and improving existing ones, often working in R&D labs. Food Technologists typically handle quality control, testing, and ensuring products meet safety standards. While both roles require a food science background, Entry Level Food Product Development emphasizes innovation, whereas Food Technologists focus on compliance and quality assurance.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level food product development professionals, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level food product development professionals often face challenges such as adapting to fast-paced project timelines, balancing creativity with strict food safety and regulatory requirements, and effectively communicating with cross-functional teams like marketing, quality assurance, and production. To overcome these challenges, it’s important to stay organized, seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, and actively participate in team meetings to understand different perspectives. Building a strong foundation in food science principles and staying updated on industry trends will also help you contribute valuable ideas and grow within the team.
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs in California are:
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What job categories do people searching Entry Level Food Product Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Food Product Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Food Product Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Food Product Development job openings:
Entry Level Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Food Product Development job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 6% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,175 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Food Technologist, Product Development

Oobli

Davis, CA • On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Food Technologist, Product Development
Davis, CA, Full-time, on-site
Role Description
You will be a core member of the Product Development team, responsible for developing prototypes and generating the bench data that supports our sweet protein platform. This role exists to accelerate the hands-on work that translates our sweet protein technology into real product solutions. You will work under the direction of senior team members and leadership, running experiments, documenting results, and contributing to application guidance and sweet protein characterization across product formats.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Prepare and evaluate sweet protein-based food and beverage prototypes across target application categories, assessing sweetness quality, sensory characteristics, and overall product performance.
  • Assist in the design and execution of experiments to characterize sweet proteins and optimize their performance across product formats.
  • Contribute bench data to support the development of technical documentation and application guides.
  • Perform sensory testing to evaluate ingredient and prototype performance.
  • Maintain organized lab records including batch records, sample logs, and experimental summaries.
  • Document and share findings through technical reports, internal presentations and project updates.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biochemistry, or related field
  • Minimum one year of hands-on experience in product development or industrial R&D
  • Understanding of ingredient functionality and how formulation variables affect taste, texture, and stability.
  • Detail-oriented, with strong analytical skills and the ability to follow protocols, document results accurately, manage multiple experiments simultaneously, and work independently at the bench.
  • (Preferred) Experience with sensory evaluation procedures.
  • (Preferred) Experience working in a commercial food or beverage R&D environment with exposure to multiple product categories

About Oobli
We make seriously sweet proteins that are changing the world, one bite at a time. Sweetness from protein-not sugar-is the breakthrough you've been waiting for. They're good for your body & good for the planet, but it's their amazing taste that will keep you coming back. The gut-friendly, diabetic-friendly, all flavor, no compromise win we all deserve.
Oobli is the first & only company in the world regulated to sell sweet proteins as a sweetener, with three FDA "no questions" letters, one additional proteins with self-affirmed FDA GRAS status & three proteins with FDA FEMA GRAS status at "natural flavors." In addition to selling its own protein- sweetened chocolates, Oobli partners with companies to help deliver great-tasting, affordable & healthier products.
We're a team of biologists, engineers, food-lovers, health advocates & environmentalists on a mission to transform the world with healthy sweetness. Come join us in building a sweeter future for all. For more information, visit oobli.com.
We want the best people, & we don't want biases holding us back.
We strongly encourage people of every color, orientation, age, gender, origin, & ability to apply.
We value a diverse workplace; we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination & harassment.
Salary Range: $60,000-$90,000 per year
We are proud to offer the following benefits:
Insurance: medical with available FSA/HSA plans, dental & vision.
Paid time off: vacation, sick, holidays, parental leave, bereavement & jury duty
Bonuses: performance bonus program
Other: stock incentives, 401K, & cell phone reimbursement
Oobli logo

About Oobli

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Biotechnology research and development

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Davis, CA, US

Year founded

2014

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