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Research And Development Food Jobs in Washington

StarKist Co.

Director, Research & Development

Reston, VA · On-site

$190 - $250/hr

Director, Research & Development Regular Full-Time Reston, VA, US 3 days ago Requisition ID: 1310 ... Experience in CPG/Food required. * BS or MS and wide range of product and process development ...

Call Your Mother Deli

Head of Culinary

Washington, DC · On-site

$170 - $210/hr

... food innovation. You'll lead our Research & Development and Quality Assurance teams while partnering cross‑functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Training, Marketing, and Finance to bring ...

Call Your Mother Deli

Head of Culinary

Washington, DC · On-site

... food innovation. You'll lead our Research & Development and Quality Assurance teams while partnering cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Training, Marketing, and Finance to bring great ...

Usmd

Research Specialist

College Park, MD · On-site

$83.27 - $99.93/hr

## Research SpecialistApplylocations: University of Maryland College Parktime type: Full timeposted on ... development, plant and animal physiology, basic biology, human health and nutrition, food safety ...

Fmi

Manager, Research & Insights

Arlington, VA · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

About the Organization FMI represents food retailers and wholesalers and develops and promotes ... Manage the development and review of survey instruments. * Manage and review data collection ...

Umd

Research Specialist

College Park, MD

$83K - $99K/yr

Researchers within the six academic departments in AGNR and many in other Colleges, such as the ... development, plant and animal physiology, basic biology, human health and nutrition, food safety ...

Cuisine Solutions

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

... development, Food and Equipment inventory maintenance The Company: Cuisine Solutions is the world ... Work with CDC to research and experiment with recipes, and plate food for presentations. * Work ...

Cuisine Solutions

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

... development, Food and Equipment inventory maintenance The Company: Cuisine Solutions is the world ... Work with CDC to research and experiment with recipes, and plate food for presentations. Work with ...

Cuisine Solutions

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$50K - $68K/yr

... development, Food and Equipment inventory maintenance The Company: Cuisine Solutions is the world ... Work with CDC to research and experiment with recipes, and plate food for presentations. * Work ...

Cuisine Solutions Inc.

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$52 - $76/hr

... development, Food and Equipment inventory maintenance The Company Cuisine Solutions is the world ... Work with CDC to research and experiment with recipes, and plate food for presentations. * Work ...

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Research And Development Food information

What does a research and development food professional do?

A Research and Development (R&D) Food professional is responsible for creating and improving food products, recipes, and processes. They conduct experiments to develop new flavors, enhance nutritional value, and improve product safety and shelf life. Their work often involves collaborating with food scientists, technologists, and regulatory teams to ensure products meet industry standards and consumer preferences. R&D Food professionals play a key role in innovation within the food industry, helping companies stay competitive and compliant.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research and development food professional?

To thrive as a Research and Development Food Scientist, you generally need a degree in food science or a related field, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of food chemistry and product formulation. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, sensory evaluation software, and food safety regulations such as HACCP is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for innovating and refining food products. These competencies are vital for developing safe, high-quality foods that meet consumer demands and regulatory standards.

How does a research and development food professional typically collaborate with other departments within a food company?

In a food company, Research and Development (R&D) Food professionals work closely with multiple departments such as Quality Assurance, Marketing, Production, and Procurement. They often collaborate with marketing teams to align new product formulations with market trends and customer preferences, and with production staff to ensure that prototypes can be efficiently scaled for mass manufacturing. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for successfully taking a product from concept to launch, making strong communication and project management skills highly valuable in this role.

What is the difference between Research And Development Food and Quality Assurance Food?

AspectResearch And Development FoodQuality Assurance Food
Primary FocusDeveloping new food products and improving existing recipesEnsuring food products meet safety and quality standards
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, product development kitchensQuality control labs, production facilities
Required CredentialsFood science degree, culinary skills, R&D experienceFood safety certifications, quality management training
Industry UsageFood manufacturing, product innovationFood safety, compliance, and quality assurance

Research And Development Food professionals focus on creating and improving food products, while Quality Assurance Food specialists ensure these products meet safety and quality standards. Both roles are essential in the food industry but serve different purposes in the product lifecycle.

What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Food jobs in Washington?

For Research And Development Food jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research And Development Food jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Research And Development Food jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Research And Development Food jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Research And Development Food job openings:

Research And Development Food jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research And Development Food job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution.

Director, Research & Development

StarKist Co.

Reston, VA • On-site

$190 - $250/hr

Other

Posted 26 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the Research & Development team and partner with plants on R&D initiatives.

  • Develop new products, formulas, and packaging to meet timeline, quality, and cost goals.

  • Oversee the optimization of base products and processes, including reformulation and process improvements.

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director, Research & Development

Regular Full-Time Reston, VA, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1310

This position is located in Reston, VA
This position is not remote work
US Citizenship or Green Card Holder - no sponsorship available

PURPOSE -

  • Lead the Research & Development Team including Innovation & Product Development, Base Product & Process Development, Packaging Development, and Nutrition & Regulatory Affairs workstreams. Partner with the plants on R&D initiatives.
  • Act as the liaison between the non-technical areas as well as the technical areas todevelop andexecute new and base products and process strategies to grow the overall business and enable cost savings.
  • Responsible for the communication of new and base business activities and strategies with non-technical areas such as Marketing & Innovation,Trade Marketing, Market Research, Finance,andSales. Also provide the technical communication to the technical areas such as QA, Operations, Packaging, and specific factory or co-manufacturing locations.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES –

  • Develop New Products & Innovation : Develop New Products or Next-Generation Innovation including the development of new product formulas and packaging (internally through R&D associates or externally working through consultants or suppliers) to deliver within agreed timeline, quality, and cost parameters. Work with internal or co-manufacturing locations on start-up and commercialization.
  • Optimize Base Business Products & Process : Reformulate or restage base products or refine processes within agreed timeline, quality and cost parameters. Work directly with manufacturing locations for process improvements.
  • Maintain and Optimize R&D Support Systems & Technical Services : Provide Technical Services and R&D Systems to optimize product development work stream and timelines, process systems, formula systems, ingredient specifications, nutritional labeling and ingredient statements that meet all departments expectations and deliver projects on time.
  • P ro v idePackaging Engineering and Nutrition & Regulatory Services : Deliver Packaging and Nutrition & Regulatory Services to support Base Business & Innovation initiatives to maintain and grow the StarKist business.
  • Co-Pack Management & Support: Oversee internal co-packing partnerships and third-party manufacturing relationships, ensuring product formulations, quality standards, and process specifications are consistently executed at co-packer facilities.
  • Support plants with Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams, ensuring R&D specifications are accurately translated and maintained across all plants including contract manufacturing sites.
  • Lead technical oversight of plant and co-packing relationships, including formulation transfer, scale-up trials, and troubleshooting to ensure new product development translates successfully from pilot to commercial production.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/COMPETENCIES -

  • 20+ years of overall professional experience in various product and process development technologies and management, strong understanding of processing equipment and low acid thermal and retort processing. Strong understanding of federal regulations and nutritional labeling. Experience with new packaging development.
  • 5-10 yearsof management experience leading a R&D/technical teamin a position of similar complexity, scope, size and international impact.
  • Experience in CPG/Food required.
  • BS or MS and wide range of product and process development experience.
  • Must be able to travel by plane - approximate travel 30%. (includes international, passport required)
  • Must be capable of travel for extended periods (extended: 5-15 days)

The approximate pay range for this position is $190,000 to $250,000. This range is provided as a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location.

StarKist Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state and local laws and ordinances. EOE/AA/Vet/Disability

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