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Research Development Food Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apex Systems

R&D Food Scientist

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Job#: 3043263 Apex Systems is currently hiring for an R&D Food Scientist with a well-established food manufacturing client specializing in innovative food coloring, decorating solutions, and ...

Nura

R&D Food Scientist

Irvine, CA · On-site

NURA USA is looking for a Food Scientist. The ideal candidate for this position has 3 years min ... R&D environment. * Your expertise will directly support powder mix, beverage, and other food and ...

Nura

R&D Food Scientist

Irvine, CA · On-site

NURA USA is looking for a Food Scientist. The ideal candidate for this position has 3 years min ... R&D environment. * Your expertise will directly support powder mix, beverage, and other food and ...

Nura

R&D Food Scientist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

NURA USA is looking for a Food Scientist. The ideal candidate for this position has 3 years min ... R&D environment. * Your expertise will directly support powder mix, beverage, and other food and ...

System One

Food Scientist - Dough Rheology

Paterson, NJ · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Direct Hire Compensation : $110,000-$125,000 Shift: 8:30am-5pm (some flexibility) Position Overview We are seeking an experienced R&D Food Scientist to support the development, optimization, and ...

System One

Food Scientist - Dough Rheology

Paterson, NJ · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Direct Hire Compensation : $110,000-$125,000 Shift: 8:30am-5pm (some flexibility) Position Overview We are seeking an experienced R&D Food Scientist to support the development, optimization, and ...

Westrock Coffee

Food Scientist II - R&D

Conway, AR · On-site

The Food Scientist II functions as the R&D Lead on New Product Development, and Technical Services Projects. They will lead the completion of complex projects from concept through commercialization ...

Talnt

Food Scientist

Akron, OH

$70K - $95K/hr

About the Role The Food Scientist plays a key role within Research & Development by developing, formulating, testing, and optimizing innovative food, beverage, nutraceutical, and dietary supplement ...

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Research Development Food Scientist information

See salary details

$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

How much do research development food scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for research development food scientist in the United States is $130,117.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a research development food scientist do?

A Research Development Food Scientist is responsible for creating and improving food products and processes. They conduct experiments, analyze ingredients, and develop new recipes or formulations to enhance taste, nutrition, and shelf-life. These professionals often work closely with quality assurance, marketing, and production teams to ensure new products meet safety standards and consumer needs. Their role also includes staying updated on food trends, regulations, and technological advancements to drive innovation in the food industry.

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

To thrive as a Research Development Food Scientist, you need a strong background in food science, chemistry, and product formulation, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, analytical testing methods, and food safety regulations, as well as certifications like HACCP, are commonly required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills for innovating and refining food products. These capabilities ensure the successful development of safe, appealing, and market-ready food items that meet regulatory and consumer demands.

What are some common challenges faced by research development food scientists when working on new product formulations?

Research Development Food Scientists often encounter challenges such as balancing consumer preferences with technical and regulatory requirements during new product development. Creating innovative formulations may involve overcoming issues related to ingredient functionality, shelf-life stability, and sensory attributes. Additionally, collaborating with cross-functional teams—such as marketing, quality assurance, and production—requires effective communication to ensure that prototypes can be scaled up successfully while meeting cost and safety standards.

What is the difference between Research Development Food Scientist vs Food Technologist?

AspectResearch Development Food ScientistFood Technologist
CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s in Food Science or related field; certifications varyBachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D facilities, product development settingsManufacturing plants, quality control labs, production lines
Industry UsageDevelops new products, improves existing recipes, conducts researchEnsures product quality, implements production processes, quality assurance

Research Development Food Scientists focus on creating and improving food products through research and experimentation, often working in labs. Food Technologists typically oversee production processes and quality control in manufacturing settings. Both roles require food science knowledge but differ in their primary responsibilities and work environments.

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Research Development Food Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Development Food Scientist job openings in the United States 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 $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Research and Development Food Scientist

King & Prince Seafood Corp

Brunswick, GA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
General Summary
The R&D Food Scientist leads the development, optimization, and plant scale-up of value-added seafood and vegetable products, including battered, breaded, marinated, and ready-to-cook items. This role works cross-functionally to create products that meet customer requirements and deliver consistent taste, texture, quality, and profitability for King & Prince Seafood. This role supports products from bench-top concept through commercial production by ensuring formulas, processes, and specifications are practical, scalable, and aligned with quality and food safety requirements.
Note: This is an on-site role based in Brunswick, GAApplicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead new product development activities for value-added seafood and vegetable products, from bench-top concept through commercialization.
  • Develop, innovative, value-added products, including battered, breaded, marinated, glazed, and ready-to-cook items.
  • Formulate functional batters, breading, marinades, glazes, and flavor systems optimized for frozen storage and customer reheating methods, including oven, air-fryer, and deep-fry applications.
  • Research and evaluate new products, ingredient, coating, flavor, and processing technologies that can improve product quality, efficiency, or customer value.
  • Develop and maintain product specifications that are accurate, manufacturable, and aligned with customer, quality, and production requirements.
  • Lead plant trials and commercial manufacturing line trials to transition new formulations into large-scale frozen production.
  • Evaluate ingredient functionality, including starches, hydrocolloids, and phosphates, to improve water-holding capacity, reduce purge loss, and support product quality during frozen distribution.
  • Conduct sensory testing, texture analysis, and to evaluate product performance, stability, and quality over time.
  • Ensure formulations, raw materials, specifications, and processing steps comply with applicable food safety, quality, allergen labeling, and regulatory requirements, including Seafood HACCP requirements.
  • Build customer relationships and provide technical support through product presentations, sales meetings, trade shows, seminars, and customer visits.
  • Other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in food science or a closely related field.
  • Three to six years of product development experience in a food processing environment; seafood, chicken, or value-added protein manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
  • Strong understanding of seafood protein functionality, coating systems, freezing technologies, and thawing kinetics; breading and battering experience preferred.
  • Working knowledge of FDA Seafood HACCP requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices, labeling regulations, and sanitation protocols for wet and frozen processing environments.
  • Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage priorities, timelines, and cross-functional deliverables.
  • Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Procurement, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Category Management to meet project milestones.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly to internal and external audiences.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

Apply