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Entry Level Food Product Development Jobs in California

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

R&D Food Scientist

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Experience supporting product scale-up activities from laboratory development through commercial production * Working knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and food safety ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

This role supports product development and commercialization for all manufacturing sites by ... food safety; applies food science knowledge to optimize process of dressings & sauces; assists R&D ...

This role supports product development and commercialization for all manufacturing sites by ... food safety; applies food science knowledge to optimize process of dressings & sauces; assists R&D ...

Monitor cleaning supplies inventory levels * Assist culinary team with production as needed QUALIFICATIONS: * Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to ...

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 ... As a Food Technologist, you will be accountable for driving new product development and continuous ...

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 ... As a Food Technologist, you will be accountable for driving new product development and continuous ...

This role supports product development and commercialization for all manufacturing sites by ... food safety; applies food science knowledge to optimize process of dressings & sauces; assists R&D ...

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Entry Level Food Product Development information

See California salary details

$14

$24

$41

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

As of Aug 17, 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 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 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 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 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 the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Food Product Development jobs in California?

For Entry Level Food Product Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Food Product Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,175 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Entry Level Product Development / Manufacturing Technician

Arbor Vita Corporation

Fremont, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Position type: Full time
Required education: Bachelor’s Degree
Area(s) of expertise desired:

Molecular Biology, biotechnology, and associated wet lab methods. Concept knowledge of product development and/or and manufacturing in a regulated environment.


Description
Arbor Vita Corporation is seeking a talented entry level product development / manufacturing technician who will be joining efforts in development and production of medical diagnostic products, among others in the areas of cancer, women’s health and respiratory disease. The position is at the interface of product development and manufacturing in a small but innovative biotechnology setting. Activities include wet-lab work, innovative method development and testing, and some hands-on manufacturing work. Tasks include analysis and presentation of approaches and data, and collaboration with the adjacent areas of quality assurance and at times with research and development.
Requirements
The position requires working knowledge and wet lab experience in general molecular biology laboratory methods and concepts; theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in activities like preparation of solutions and reagents, weighing techniques, pH adjustments, but also of methods in nucleic acid and protein purification, and/or cell culture techniques are highly advantageous. The qualified applicant will be able to learn and to apply new techniques, and to critically analyze and present data to the team. The position requires enthusiasm for innovative problem-solving, as well as interest in the requirements given by a regulated environment (GMP, ISO 13485).  Hands-on practical experience in expression and purification of recombinant proteins in E. coli, as well as hybridoma cell culture and antibody purification is highly desired.

Company Description

Arbor Vita Corporation is devoted to protecting the health of women of all ages, races, and geographic locations. Current screening methods, such as the Pap smear and HPV DNA tests, detect cervical cell changes or the presence of (often harmless) HPV, but require a sophisticated processing protocol, limiting their efficacy and applicability—especially in rural areas. By contrast, the OncoE6TM Cervical Test can be used in both advanced settings and ones with limited infrastructure. It requires no refrigeration, is easy to administer (even via self-collection), and yields results in just over two hours. What’s more, our test can capture the same urgent, accurate results for women under 21 and over 60 who have been marginalized by conventional testing.