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Meat Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for meat science students to teleoperate our robots and cut meat at Den's Country Meats in Nebraska. Program is as follows: Tantalus Robotics is hosting an internship June 1st- 18th. We ...

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We're looking for meat science students to teleoperate our robots and cut meat at Den's Country Meats in Nebraska. Program is as follows: Tantalus Robotics is hosting an internship June 1st- 18th. We ...

PhD in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science or related field. * Research experience in basic and/or applied meat science with a record of publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.

PhD in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science or related field. * Research experience in basic and/or applied meat science with a record of publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Reporting to the Research and Development Manager, you will utilize your meat science expertise as part of the Refrigerated and Frozen Food Design Team, supporting innovation and margin expansion ...

Food Scientist

Omaha, NE · On-site

$63K - $93K/yr

Reporting to the Research and Development Manager, you will utilize your meat science expertise as part of the Refrigerated and Frozen Food Design Team, supporting innovation and margin expansion ...

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How much do meat science jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat science in the United States is $17.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $19.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Meat Science job?

A Meat Science job involves the study of meat production, processing, safety, and quality control. Professionals in this field work in various roles, including research, product development, food safety, and quality assurance. They apply principles of biology, chemistry, and engineering to improve meat products and ensure they meet industry and regulatory standards. Careers in meat science can be found in the food industry, government agencies, and academia.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Meat Science position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Meat Science, you need a deep understanding of animal biology, food safety, and meat processing, typically supported by a degree in animal science, food science, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory analysis tools, HACCP certification, and specialized meat quality assessment systems is often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills are key soft skills in this field. These competencies ensure the production of safe, high-quality meat products while enabling effective collaboration with production, research, and regulatory teams.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in Meat Science?

Professionals in Meat Science often split their time between laboratory analysis, quality assurance activities, and collaboration with production teams to ensure product safety and quality. Daily tasks may include conducting tests on meat samples, monitoring processing conditions, analyzing sensory qualities, and implementing food safety protocols. They also frequently document results, develop new processing methods, and may assist with training staff on best practices. Working closely with other departments such as R&D, operations, and regulatory affairs is common to maintain compliance and innovate product offerings.
What cities are hiring for Meat Science jobs? Cities with the most Meat Science job openings:
What states have the most Meat Science jobs? States with the most job openings for Meat Science jobs include:
Director of Food Science

Director of Food Science

Sugar Creek Packing Co.

West Chester, OH • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


SugarCreek rating

4.6

Company rating: 4.6 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

361st of 379 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Sugar Creek Packing Co., founded in 1966, is a flourishing privately held, family owned food company. Its commitment to making the highest-quality, best-value products has allowed Sugar Creek to grow into one of the largest independent bacon processors servicing the global market.
Education: Master's Degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or a related scientific discipline required; PhD in same or related scientific discipline preferred; or equivalent experience.
Experience: 10+ years of experience in meat or protein manufacturing, R&D, or food science role required.
DESCRIPTION sUMMARY
Serve as the scientific authority for product and process development with a focus on driving formulation optimization through functional ingredient strategy to improve yield, product performance, shelf life, and commercialization efficiency. Apply meat science and microbiology expertise to enable data-driven decisions early in development, reducing rework and accelerating time to market. Work with other departments (FSQA, Operations, Procurement) to deliver cost, quality, and consistency improvements in alignment with food safety and regulatory compliance.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Provide guidance on product development initiatives from concept through commercialization for raw and ready-to-eat meat products.
  • Develop and optimize product formulations to meet sensory, nutritional, regulatory, and cost targets.
  • Evaluate ingredients, functional systems, and processing aids for performance, labeling, and cost effectiveness.
  • Support customer-driven product customization and innovation projects and participate in discussions with customers regarding product formulation, shelf life, and product optimization.
  • Support formulation strategy with accountability for yield, quality, and margin improvement.
  • Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through ingredient optimization, formulation changes, and process efficiencies.
  • Work with Procurement and Operations to evaluate alternative ingredients and suppliers.
  • Provide guidance and support to the Regulatory Compliance Team for unique situations as needed as a processing authority.
  • Provide assistance on labeling requirements, standards of identity, product formulations, labels, processes, specifications, regulatory submissions, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
  • Design, oversee, and interpret microbiological challenge studies and validation activities.
  • Establish scientific support for lethality, stabilization, and antimicrobial interventions.
  • Provide support to Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) in developing or evaluating pathogen control strategies and environmental monitoring programs.
  • Conduct shelf-life determination and extension studies for raw and RTE products.
  • Evaluate packaging systems, storage conditions, and distribution impacts on product quality and safety.
  • Interpret microbiological, chemical, and sensory data to establish defensible shelf-life claims.
  • Develop and optimize thermal processes, including cook cycle development and validation.
  • Provide scientific input on equipment selection, line modifications, and process design.
  • Analyze process data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Act as a technical liaison between departments during innovation and commercialization discussions.
  • Provide scientific guidance to Executive Leadership for strategic decisions and capital investments.
  • Mentor and develop technical staff within R&D or related functions.
  • Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures and regulations.
  • Support all safety, food quality and sanitation initiatives and policies.
  • Follow SugarCreek safety rules and procedures.
  • Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

minimum qualifications
Education: Master's Degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or a related scientific discipline required; PhD in same or related scientific discipline preferred; or equivalent experience.
Experience: 10+ years of experience in meat or protein manufacturing, R&D, or food science role required.
Certification or Licensure Requirements: Safe Quality Foods (SQF) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification preferred; if not currently certified, SQF/HACCP certifications must be obtained within first three months of employment.
Abilities, KNOWLEDGE, and SKILLS REQUIRED
  • Possess strong familiarity and understanding of USDA FSIS-regulated environments.
  • Possess strong understanding of product formulation, thermal processing, and microbiological validation.
  • Possess strong proficiency in meat science, microbiology, and thermal processing.
  • Know how analyze formulation systems, functional ingredients, and processing aids.
  • Able to perform and analyze challenge studies, shelf-life testing, and statistical interpretation of results.
  • Possess strong understanding of USDA & FSIS regulations, labeling, and food safety requirements.
  • Able to communicate effectively and efficiently using both verbal and written skills.
  • Possess strong leadership skills, independent thinking, organizational skills, and planning abilities.
  • Know how to actively listen to employees across various departments to address issues.
  • Able to read, interpret and review instructions for preparation of materials.
  • Able to adapt and work on a flexible schedule that covers all plant operation shifts.
  • Able to read and comprehend printed and electronic information.
  • Able to maintain documents in an organized fashion.
  • Know how to use basic computer programs, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

We are an equal opportunity employer.
We participate in E-verify. Participamos en E-verify.
Right to Work. Derecho al Trabajo.

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