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Food Product Development Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Research and Development Food Scientist is expected to serve as a technical services consultant, developing and supporting the commercialization of new products from the conception stage through ...

The Research and Development Food Scientist is expected to serve as a technical services consultant, developing and supporting the commercialization of new products from the conception stage through ...

Food Scientist

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

The Food Scientist applies scientific, culinary and engineering principles in research ... Lead new product development and product optimization through the HLF project management system ...

Food Production

Front Royal, VA · On-site

$13.75 - $16.25/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * KFC Foundation Programs include ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

Food Production

Wise, VA · On-site

$13.25 - $18/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

Food Production

Lebanon, VA

$11 - $14.75/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

Food Production

Big Stone Gap, VA

$13 - $17.50/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

Food Production

Marion, VA

$12.50 - $17/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

Food Production

Wytheville, VA

$13 - $17.50/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

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Showing results 1-20

Food Product Development information

See Virginia salary details

$42.1K

$125.9K

$143.3K

How much do food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development in Virginia is $125,898.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,500.00 and $141,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food product development?

A Food Product Development job involves creating new food products or improving existing ones by experimenting with ingredients, formulations, and processing techniques. Professionals in this field work closely with food scientists, marketers, and manufacturers to ensure products meet consumer preferences, regulatory standards, and cost requirements. They conduct research, test recipes, and oversee production trials to bring safe, high-quality, and marketable food items to store shelves.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in food product development?

Food Product Development professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing taste, nutrition, cost, and shelf-life while adhering to strict food safety and regulatory standards. They may need to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences and troubleshoot issues that arise during product testing or manufacturing scale-up. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as marketing, quality assurance, and supply chain, is key to overcoming these obstacles and launching successful products. This dynamic environment requires flexibility and a continual willingness to learn and innovate.

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

To thrive in Food Product Development, you need expertise in food science, sensory evaluation, and recipe formulation, typically backed by a degree in food science, nutrition, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, food safety regulations, and product lifecycle management software is often required. Strong project management, creativity, and teamwork skills help individuals excel in this role. These abilities are essential because they ensure products are innovative, safe, and compliant while meeting consumer demands and business objectives.

How to get into food product development?

To enter food product development, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in food manufacturing or research helps develop relevant skills such as product formulation, sensory evaluation, and knowledge of food safety standards. Proficiency with product development tools and strong teamwork are also valuable for success in this field.

What do you do as a food product developer?

A food product developer designs, tests, and refines new food products to meet consumer preferences and safety standards. They conduct research, create prototypes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams using tools like sensory analysis and food science techniques to bring products from concept to market.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs in Virginia?

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

What are popular job titles related to Food Product Development jobs in Virginia?

For Food Product Development jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Product Development jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Product Development jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Food Product Development jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Food Product Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Product Development job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,898 per year, or $60.5 per hour.

Senior Scientist - New Product Development

Richmond, VA • On-site

Altria Group, Inc.
Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Altria Group rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Senior Scientist - New Product Development Job Description Job Alerts Link Job Title: Senior Scientist - New Product Development Req Id: 3305 Work Model: On-Site Company: Altria Client Services State/Province: Virginia Job Description:

Together We Innovate. Together We Change.

Advance innovative oral nicotine products for next-generation reduced-harm solutions at a Fortune 500 company. Do you have a degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer science, food science, pharmaceutical science, or a related discipline? Do you also bring experience in product development, formulation, applied research, or food/pharmaceutical processing? If so, we want to speak with you!

We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist - New Product Development - to join Altria’s Growth Org and Front-End Innovation Technical team in Richmond, Virginia. In this role, you will develop and optimize lab-scale processes, build and evaluate prototypes, and generate technical learnings that help advance early-stage oral nicotine concepts toward feasibility, regulatory readiness, and commercialization.

What you will be doing:
  • Develop and optimize lab-scale processing approaches, including material handling and fabrication techniques, to translate early concepts into feasible product formats.
  • Plan and execute rapid prototyping studies to build, test, and iterate oral nicotine concepts against targeted product performance attributes.
  • Apply ingredient selection, controlled-release approaches, and materials processing techniques to develop product prototypes with targeted performance attributes.
  • Perform analytical testing and material characterization to guide process adjustments and inform design iterations.
  • Establish and sustain lab-scale equipment, workflows, and capabilities that support rapid prototyping and early feasibility assessments.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners and project teams to translate prototype learnings into technical recommendations and business decisions.
  • Document process innovations, experimental learnings, and technical findings to support knowledge capture and intellectual property protection.
We want you to have:
  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer science, food science, pharmaceutical science, or related discipline.
  • Product development, formulation, or applied research experience: BS 4+ years, MS 2+ years, or PhD 0+ years.
  • Hands-on experience with analytical testing, material characterization, and data interpretation for product or process development.
  • Knowledge of food or pharmaceutical processing, formulation development, ingredient functionality, and experimental data analysis.
  • Laboratory experience handling hazardous chemicals, including nicotine, with appropriate safety practices and controls highly preferred.
  • Strong execution, collaboration, communication, and prioritization skills in a fast-moving technical project environment.

The starting salary is based on but not limited to experience, knowledge, and qualifications in determining compensation decisions. The Salary Range for this position is: $91,500.00 - $132,750.00.

Why You’ll Love Building Your Career at Altria

At Altria, we believe a great career starts with feeling supported — both at work and in life. Here’s what you’ll find here:

  • Work where connection and flexibility meet - enjoy the benefits of in-person collaboration three days a week (Tuesday - Thursday), while maintaining the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Our hybrid approach empowers you to stay connected, collaborate with colleagues, and manage your schedule in a way that works best for you.
  • Own your time - start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, and a 37.5-hour workweek so you can recharge and live fully.
  • A place where you belong - where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real.
  • Get recognized for your work - annual merit increases and performance bonus.
  • A future you can count on - 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing, an annual company contribution in an amount equal to 13%-17% of your base salary.
  • Help with your goals - get help with student loan repayment assistance, attend a conference, or gain a new certification with professional development stipends.
  • Support for what matters most - comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
  • Celebrating your milestones - paid parental and bonding leave for life’s biggest moments.
  • Wellness that goes beyond work - programs that care for your whole well-being at whatever stage you are in your life.
  • A culture that gives back - paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference.

At Altria, we offer more than benefits — we offer a career that fits your life, rewards your ambition, and celebrates your impact.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Altria is a Fortune 500 company that has a leading portfolio of products for U.S. adult tobacco and nicotine consumers 21+. For decades we’ve been leaders in the tobacco industry, but the industry is evolving - and so are we. Our Vision is Moving Beyond Smoking™.

At Altria, we celebrate the power of diverse teams working together to shape our future. Each Altria company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals with conviction records, a fair chance at employment. Join us as we work together to shape a better future for adult tobacco consumers, our employees, and our shareholders.

Altria is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, John Middleton, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Helix Innovations, and NJOY. Altria complements its tobacco portfolio with equity investments in Anheuser‑Busch InBev and Cronos Group.

Learn more about Altria atwww.altria.com and follow us onLinkedIn .

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