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Full Time Research Development Chef Jobs in Houston, TX

Reporting to the R&D Analytical Team Leader, the team supports a wide variety of stakeholders ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

Sous Chef

Houston, TX · On-site

$45K - $61K/yr

Join the Sous Chef Opening Team for the menu R&D for two new restaurants and 4 concepts currently ... Full-time hourly position | Convenient location | Employee Parking Onsite | Full Benefits & PTO ...

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Showing results 1-20

Full Time Research Development Chef information

See Houston, TX salary details

$46.3K

$97.2K

$157.6K

How much do full time research development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time research development chef in Houston, TX is $97,210.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $111,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a full time research development chef?

Full Time Research Development Chefs are culinary professionals who focus on creating, testing, and perfecting new recipes, menu items, and food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality companies. They blend culinary expertise with research and development skills to innovate and improve food offerings, often working closely with marketing, nutrition, and production teams. In this full-time role, they may also oversee product trials, ensure flavor consistency, and keep up with current food trends to meet consumer demands.

What are some common challenges faced by a full time research development chef when creating new menu items or products?

A Full Time Research Development Chef often faces challenges such as balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness, ensuring new recipes meet both flavor and nutritional standards, and adapting dishes to various production environments. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—like marketing, procurement, and quality assurance—is essential to ensure that new products are feasible for large-scale production and align with brand standards. Additionally, staying updated with food trends and regulatory requirements can be demanding but is crucial for long-term success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time research development chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Research Development Chef, you need expertise in culinary techniques, recipe development, and a background in food science or culinary arts, often supported by formal training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety standards, and recipe management software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for innovating new menu items, ensuring product consistency, and successfully leading cross-functional culinary projects.

What is the difference between Full Time Research Development Chef vs Full Time Culinary Scientist?

AspectFull Time Research Development ChefFull Time Culinary Scientist
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesFood science degrees, certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, R&D labs in food companiesLaboratories, food testing facilities, R&D departments
Employer & IndustryFood manufacturing, hospitality, product developmentFood industry, research institutions, product innovation
Search & Comparison IntentYes, often compared for product development rolesYes, related to food innovation and research

Full Time Research Development Chefs focus on creating new recipes and culinary concepts, often working in kitchens or food companies. Culinary Scientists, on the other hand, combine food science and technology to develop and improve food products in labs. Both roles require culinary or food science credentials and are integral to food innovation, but they differ mainly in their work environment and approach to product development.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Development Chef jobs in Houston, TX?

The most popular types of Research Development Chef jobs in Houston, TX are:

What are popular job titles related to Full Time Research Development Chef jobs in Houston, TX?

For Full Time Research Development Chef jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Full Time Research Development Chef jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Full Time Research Development Chef jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Full Time Research Development Chef jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Full Time Research Development Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Full Time Research Development Chef job openings in Houston, TX 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 $97,210 per year, or $46.7 per hour.

R&D Analytical Chemist

Koch Industries

Katy, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Koch Industries rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

Your Job
We are seeking an Analytical Chemist to join our Research & Development analytical team at our Katy Technology Center. This role supports business programs, plant operations, method development, troubleshooting efforts, and technical problem-solving. This role is focused on providing analytical expertise, particularly in Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP), while partnering with stakeholders across the business to solve complex technical challenges.
This hourly role follows a 9/80 schedule, offering a balanced work arrangement with every other Friday off.
Our Team
Our analytical team consists of a diverse mix of scientists and technologists who collaborate closely with engineers, chemists, operations personnel, and other stakeholders across the organization. Reporting to the R&D Analytical Team Leader, the team supports a wide variety of stakeholders, projects, and business needs in a dynamic R&D environment where priorities can evolve quickly. Successful candidates will be comfortable adapting to changing business demands, shifting focus as needed, and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to help solve complex technical challenges.
What You Will Do
  • Deliver elemental analysis expertise using ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and advanced sample preparation techniques to support R&D programs, manufacturing operations, and technical investigations.
  • Develop, optimize, validate, and improve analytical methods for trace and major element determination across a variety of complex sample matrices.
  • Lead analytical investigations related to product quality, contamination, process upsets, customer concerns, and other technical challenges requiring creative problem-solving.
  • Generate and communicate analytical insights through data interpretation, technical reporting, and collaboration with internal stakeholders.
  • Maintain reliable analytical capability through instrument qualification, calibration, troubleshooting, maintenance, and continuous improvement activities.
  • Partner with scientists, engineers, manufacturing, operations, and quality teams to solve technical challenges and advance business objectives.
  • Adapt priorities and provide analytical support across multiple R&D programs, stakeholders, and business initiatives as project needs and business demands evolve.
  • Work safely in a laboratory environment, including the use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to company safety requirements.
  • Handle laboratory materials, samples, and equipment, including lifting and moving materials up to 50 pounds when required.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or related scientific discipline.
  • 3+ years of industrial, manufacturing, or R&D laboratory experience in analytical chemistry and elemental analysis
  • 1+ years of hands-on experience with ICP-MS, ICP-OES, sample preparation, microwave digestion, and analytical troubleshooting in a laboratory environment
  • Experience developing, validating, and optimizing analytical methods, including calibration, data interpretation, and statistical evaluation.
  • Experience supporting multiple projects, stakeholders, or business priorities in a dynamic laboratory, manufacturing, or R&D environment.
  • Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, and laboratory reporting systems.

What Will Put You Ahead
  • Master's degree in Chemistry or related field.
  • Advanced expertise with ICP-MS, including method development and troubleshooting complex analytical challenges.
  • Experience with XRF instrumentation and analysis.
  • Experience with analytical techniques GC, HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR, etc.
  • Knowledge of EPA, ASTM, or other industry analytical methods.

This role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .
Who We Are
As a Koch company, INVISTA has a long history of working to make the world around you a better place. From parts for the automotive industry to medical equipment, air bags, food packaging and clothing, our ingredients in the nylon 6,6 and polypropylene value chains help bring many of life's essential products to market.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).

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