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Research And Development Chef Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

Product Design Engineer

Conway, AR · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

... tech R&D model shop, manufacturing and senior leadership teams * Develop and validate new ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

Certified Culinary Scientist (CCS) or Certified Research Chef (CRC), or equivalent. * Experience in poultry, protein, or value-added food product development. George's is committed to providing ...

Provides kitchen support to all R&D Personnel. Works safely to order, receive, organize, prepare ... Simmons ball cap/ plain ball cap/bouffant cap, Simmons T-shirts, Jeans (no holes)/Chef pants/Nurse ...

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Research And Development Chef information

See Arkansas salary details

$40.1K

$84.2K

$136.4K

How much do research and development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development chef in Arkansas is $84,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,100.00 and $96,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research and development chef?

Research and Development (R&D) Chefs are culinary professionals who create, test, and refine new recipes and food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality companies. They work in kitchens and labs to innovate dishes, improve existing menu items, and ensure products meet quality, taste, and safety standards. R&D Chefs often collaborate with marketing, production, and nutrition teams to bring new culinary concepts to market. Their role combines creativity, technical culinary skills, and knowledge of food science.

How does a research and development chef typically collaborate with other departments during the product development process?

A Research and Development Chef works closely with departments such as marketing, quality assurance, and production throughout the product development process. They often participate in cross-functional meetings to align culinary innovation with consumer trends, production capabilities, and regulatory requirements. Effective communication is essential, as the R&D Chef must translate creative ideas into scalable recipes while ensuring food safety and quality standards are met. This collaborative approach helps streamline the launch of new menu items or products and ensures that everyone is aligned from concept to commercialization.

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

To thrive as a Research and Development Chef, you need expertise in culinary techniques, food science, and recipe development, often supported by a culinary degree or equivalent professional experience. Familiarity with product development tools, food safety regulations, sensory evaluation methods, and sometimes certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help you innovate and work effectively across teams. These skills are vital to create appealing, safe, and commercially viable food products that meet consumer and market demands.

What is the difference between Research And Development Chef vs Food Scientist?

AspectResearch And Development ChefFood Scientist
CredentialsCulinary degree, culinary certificationsDegree in food science, chemistry, or related field
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, R&D labs, food companiesLaboratories, research facilities, food manufacturing plants
Industry UsageFood product development, recipe innovationFood safety, quality control, product testing
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Research And Development Chefs focus on creating new recipes and culinary innovations, often working in kitchens and food companies. Food Scientists analyze food properties, ensuring safety and quality in labs. While both roles contribute to food product development, R&D Chefs emphasize culinary creativity, whereas Food Scientists focus on scientific analysis and safety protocols.

How much do research and development chefs make?

Research and development chefs typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer size. Senior R&D chefs or those working for large food companies can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000 with specialized skills and certifications.

How to become a research and development chef?

To become a research and development chef, individuals typically need a culinary degree or extensive cooking experience, along with knowledge of food science and product development. Skills in experimentation, creativity, and understanding of food safety are essential, and experience in a professional kitchen or food industry is often required. Certifications in food safety or culinary innovation can also enhance prospects.

What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Chef jobs in Arkansas?

For Research And Development Chef jobs in Arkansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research And Development Chef jobs in Arkansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Research And Development Chef jobs in Arkansas are:

Infographic showing various Research And Development Chef job openings in Arkansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,174 per year, or $40.5 per hour.

Product Development Engineer

Koch Industries

Conway, AR • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 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 540 rated manufacturers


Job description

Your Job
Molex is seeking an experienced mechanical Product Development Engineer to design our industry leading high-speed connector and cable systems for our big data and hyperscale customers. These creative, high-tech leading-edge components are critical for the data superhighways existence we use every day changing the world. Here at Molex we are leading the industry, with our smart data solutions to solve our customers toughest challenges. In this highly visible engineering position, you will join a team of professionals who are passionate to deliver the best products in the world to the market.
Molex brings together innovation and technology to deliver electronic solutions to customers worldwide. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex offers a full suite of solutions and services for many markets, including data communications, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, commercial vehicle and medical.
As a Product Development Engineer, you will be responsible to design, model, analyze, characterize high-speed connectors, cables, and systems within our Copper Solutions IO enterprise division team. In this role you will provide technical expertise in connector, cable design for the exponentially growing data storage systems and telecommunications market. This is a dynamic group of highly skilled professionals that will provide an opportunity for constant learning and innovation. This role will be leading projects from idea to high volume production. These new products drive the industry making a big impact on our customers and their products.
The primary location for this position is the Arkansas Design Center - Molex offers a very flexible work environment to suit our talent needs.
What You Will Do
  • Be a team member in a global organization designing and developing leading edge new products and components for the high-speed cable and connector industry.
  • You will be interfacing with professional cross functional team members in our signal integrity team, manufacturing integration team, program management, sales organization, state of the art test laboratories, high tech R&D model shop, manufacturing and senior leadership teams
  • Design and develop new interconnect products, including high speed connectors, connector cable assemblies, and miscellaneous related mechanical hardware for datacom and telecom applications such as hubs, servers, switches, routers, HBA servers, and RAIDS.
  • Collaborating to develop cost competitive and creative designs with the manufacturing, and signal integrity team that are efficient to manufacture while meeting our high-performance market requirement.
  • Develop product and application specifications documents for testing that meet our customer requirements and general market expectations
  • Support Manufacturing and Quality Assurance during product launches and have travel opportunities to visit our manufacturing sites and meet the global team
  • Create relationships with senior leadership, cross functional team members and peers through team building activities and growth opportunities operating as One Molex Team
  • Provide application and technical support to consolidate inputs from Marketing, customers, and external consultants into product concepts and detailed requirements.
  • Follow all product development steps from concept inception, refinement of detailed product design, supply tooling group models and drawings for quoting and tool build.
  • Responsible for follow-up, documentation, publishing, and expediting all action items of a new product program.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
  • Experience in mechanical product design and development
  • Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Experience with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and concepts
  • Knowledge of Tolerance Analyses
  • Experience with advanced parametric 3D CAD systems.
  • Desire to learn, be challenged and interact in a cross functional team environment

What Will Put You Ahead
  • Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering field
  • Siemens NX experience
  • Design experience with high speed, high density connectors, cable assemblies, and interconnect products
  • Design experience with products manufactured utilizing electroplating and automated assembly
  • Good understanding and practical knowledge of Six Sigma quality development tools and principles (DOE, FMEA, etc.)
  • Design experience with products manufactured using the some of the following processes: progressive die stamping, injection molding, die casting and insert molding

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
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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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