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Principal Food Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JBS Imports

Principal R&D Scientist-Sausage

Greeley, CO · On-site

Description Position at JBS USA Principal R&D Scientist-Sausage Role Summary: JBS USA Research ... Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related ...

JBS USA

Principal R&D Scientist-Sausage

Greeley, CO · On-site

Description Principal R&D Scientist-SausageRole Summary: JBS USA Research & Development is seeking ... Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP, sanitary equipment design, and commercialization ...

JBS USA

Principal R&D Scientist-Sausage

Greeley, CO

Description Principal R&D Scientist - Sausage Role Summary: JBS USA Research & Development is ... Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related ...

Guida's Dairy

Principal Scientist

Springfield, MO

Research dairy science, food science and equipment for the purpose of innovating new technologies and the development of intellectual property (IP) for DFA * Develop new wet and dry dairy systems ...

Sargento

Technology Principal

Elkhart Lake, WI · On-site

The Technology Principal relates to a wide range of technical skills and many non-technical company ... Has an expert level understanding of food science principles, practices and procedures. Individual ...

Sargento Foods

Technology Principal

Elkhart Lake, WI

The Technology Principal relates to a wide range of technical skills and many non-technical company ... Has an expert level understanding of food science principles, practices and procedures. Individual ...

Sargento

Technology Principal

Elkhart Lake, WI

The Technology Principal relates to a wide range of technical skills and many non-technical company ... Has an expert level understanding of food science principles, practices and procedures. Individual ...

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All JobsPrincipal Food Scientist Jobs

Principal Food Scientist information

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$144K

$190.5K

How much do principal food scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal food scientist in the United States is $144,009.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal food scientist?

To thrive as a Principal Food Scientist, you need an advanced degree in food science or a related field, deep expertise in product development, and strong analytical skills. Familiarity with analytical instrumentation, sensory evaluation software, and regulatory compliance tools such as HACCP or FDA guidelines is typically required. Leadership, project management, and effective cross-functional communication are important soft skills for this role. These qualifications are essential to drive innovative product development, ensure food safety, and lead teams successfully in a dynamic industry.

How much money do you make as a principal food scientist?

A principal food scientist typically earns a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles often include benefits such as health insurance and bonuses, and require strong knowledge of food science, research, and product development.

What are the primary responsibilities of a principal food scientist?

Principal Food Scientists typically lead the design and execution of new food product development, oversee complex experiments, and ensure that products comply with safety and regulatory standards. They work closely with R&D teams, marketing, quality assurance, and manufacturing departments to bring innovative products to market. Additionally, they analyze data, evaluate prototypes through sensory testing, and provide technical guidance to junior scientists. Regular collaboration across departments and staying current with industry trends are key aspects of the role, making it both challenging and rewarding for those passionate about food innovation.

What is a principal food scientist?

A Principal Food Scientist is a senior-level expert responsible for leading research and development in food product innovation, safety, and quality. They develop new formulations, improve existing products, and ensure regulatory compliance. This role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and quality assurance, to bring food products from concept to market. Principal Food Scientists also analyze industry trends, troubleshoot production issues, and mentor junior scientists. Their work ensures that food products meet consumer expectations while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

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What cities are hiring for Principal Food Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Principal Food Scientist job openings:
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Principal Food Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Food Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,009 per year, or $69.2 per hour.

Principal R&D Scientist-Sausage

JBS Imports

Greeley, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Description
Position at JBS USA
Principal R&D Scientist-Sausage
Role Summary: JBS USA Research & Development is seeking a Principal Scientist to join our team in Greeley, CO at our Corporate Headquarters. This person will be a senior technical leader within R&D responsible for driving innovation, product development, commercialization, and process improvements across multiple sausage product platforms. This role leads complex initiatives that support business growth, manufacturing startups, and operational optimization. As part of the company's technical leadership track, the position emphasizes expertise, innovation, and cross-functional influence rather than direct people management. The role reflects the organization's commitment to strengthening technical excellence and advanced R&D capabilities. The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, hands-on expert in sausage formulation, processing technologies, and commercialization. They must be able to guide projects from development through manufacturing startup while serving as a trusted technical resource across the business. Through deep technical knowledge and collaborative leadership, this individual will help advance the company's sausage product and process capabilities.
Our ideal candidate will sit in our Greeley, CO Corporate Headquarters.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead end-to-end sausage product development from concept through commercialization, ensuring products meet targets for flavor, texture, yield, shelf life, food safety, and cost.
  • Leverage deep expertise in sausage formulation, emulsion systems, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies to optimize products and manufacturing processes.
  • Drive innovation and reduce commercialization risk through ingredient research, evaluation of emerging technologies, and data-driven experimentation.
  • Lead scale-up, pilot, plant trial, and commercialization activities to successfully transition products from development to full-scale manufacturing.
  • Drive manufacturing startups and production ramp-ups, troubleshooting technical and operational challenges to ensure smooth implementation.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to deliver successful product launches.
  • Support the commissioning, optimization, and scalability of new equipment, processing systems, and manufacturing capabilities while ensuring technical readiness throughout development.
  • Serve as the technical authority for sausage product and process development, establishing best practices in formulation, process optimization, product performance, and manufacturing startup.
  • Build organizational capability by mentoring scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams while strengthening technical rigor and problem-solving expertise.
  • Influence technical strategy and drive cross-functional alignment through collaboration, deep expertise, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Support development of scalable and differentiated product platforms across multiple business channels
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for revenue growth, margin improvement, and operational efficiency
  • Contribute technical expertise to customer engagements, innovation initiatives, and commercialization planning
  • Maintain awareness of industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive activity, and evolving consumer preferences within protein and prepared foods categories
  • Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related discipline required
  • With Bachelors degree: 12-15 years in the industry strongly preferred
  • With Masters degree: 8+ years of industry experience strongly preferred
  • Extensive experience in sausage product development, including formulation, meat systems, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
  • Strong background in R&D, commercialization, pilot production, manufacturing scale-up, and plant startup activities.
  • Expertise in sausage processing methods, including grinding, mixing, stuffing, thermal processing, chilling, packaging, and yield optimization.
  • Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP, sanitary equipment design, and commercialization readiness.
  • Proven ability to solve complex technical and operational challenges in manufacturing environments while driving process improvements.
  • Strong self-directed leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, effectively managing multiple priorities while operating with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Excellent collaborator and communicator with an entrepreneurial mindset, skilled at building processes, driving cross-functional partnerships, and creating structure in evolving organizations.
  • Ability to travel 50% to our facilities in IA
  • Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
  • As a salaried position with the company, you may be required to travel at some point to other facilities, to attend Company events, or as a representative of the Company in other situations. Unless otherwise specified in this posting, the amount of travel may vary and the most qualified candidate must be willing and able to travel as business needs dictate

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits:
  • Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
  • Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays;
  • 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
  • Base salary range of $125,000-$150,000
  • Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company's annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; and
  • Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.

The posted salary range represents the Company's good faith estimate of the compensation that the Company reasonably expects to pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, qualifications, tenure, internal equity, market data, and may vary accordingly.
This position does not have an application deadline. We will continue to recruit until the position has been filled.
The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.
About us: JBS USA is a leading global food company providing diversified, high-quality products to customers in approximately 100 countries on six continents. Our team members and facilities in the United States allow us to offer a diverse portfolio of fresh, value added and branded beef, pork, chicken and prepared foods products. JBS USA is also the majority shareholder of Pilgrim's, the largest poultry company in the world. JBS USA employs more than 72,000 team members in 31 United States and Canada. Our corporate office is located in beautiful Greeley, Colorado, where our 1,200 team members onsite enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.
Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity
EOE, including disability/vets
Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at JBS and its companies or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies

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