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Senior Innovation Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Yum! Brands

Sr Scientist - Innovation Chef

Plano, TX · On-site

$99K - $105K/yr

Your mission is to support and lead portions of the innovation process-from early concept development to testing and validation-by contributing technical expertise, coordinating cross-functional ...

Yum Brands

Sr Scientist - Innovation Chef

Plano, TX · On-site

$99K - $105K/yr

Your mission is to support and lead portions of the innovation process-from early concept development to testing and validation-by contributing technical expertise, coordinating cross-functional ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Senior Scientist

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Senior Scientist - New Technology Team Lead Dayton, OH | Full-Time | On-Site $100,000 - $130,000 + 8% Annual Bonus A global specialty chemicals company with nearly a century of innovation is looking ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Senior Scientist

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Senior Scientist - New Technology Team Lead Dayton, OH | Full-Time | On-Site $100,000 - $130,000 + 8% Annual Bonus A global specialty chemicals company with nearly a century of innovation is looking ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Senior Scientist

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Senior Scientist - New Technology Team Lead Dayton, OH | Full-Time | On-Site $100,000 - $130,000 + 8% Annual Bonus A global specialty chemicals company with nearly a century of innovation is looking ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Senior Scientist

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Senior Scientist - New Technology Team Lead Dayton, OH | Full-Time | On-Site $100,000 - $130,000 + 8% Annual Bonus A global specialty chemicals company with nearly a century of innovation is looking ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Senior Scientist

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Senior Scientist - New Technology Team Lead Dayton, OH | Full-Time | On-Site $100,000 - $130,000 + 8% Annual Bonus A global specialty chemicals company with nearly a century of innovation is looking ...

Save the Redwoods League

Senior Scientist

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$141K - $159K/yr

The newly established Senior Scientist position builds on Sonoma Land Trust's five-decade record of conservation innovation and excellence by leveraging the latest science to inform its conservation ...

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Senior Innovation Scientist information

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$66.5K

$110.5K

$164.5K

How much do senior innovation scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior innovation scientist in the United States is $110,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior innovation scientist?

A Senior Innovation Scientist is a highly experienced professional who leads research and development activities to create new products, technologies, or processes within an organization. They identify opportunities for innovation, design experiments, analyze data, and guide teams through the development process. Their role often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, staying current with industry trends, and ensuring that new solutions align with the company’s strategic goals. Senior Innovation Scientists also mentor junior scientists and help shape the innovation strategy of their organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior innovation scientist?

To thrive as a Senior Innovation Scientist, you need an advanced degree in a relevant scientific field, extensive research experience, and strong analytical skills. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), data analysis software, and intellectual property processes is often required. Creativity, strategic thinking, and effective communication are vital soft skills for driving innovation and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for successfully developing novel solutions, advancing R&D initiatives, and maintaining a competitive edge in rapidly evolving industries.

What are some typical challenges faced by a senior innovation scientist when bringing new ideas from concept to implementation?

Senior Innovation Scientists often encounter challenges such as aligning innovative concepts with business goals, securing stakeholder buy-in, and navigating resource constraints. Collaborating across multidisciplinary teams is essential to translate scientific breakthroughs into viable products or processes while managing timelines and regulatory requirements. Adaptability and strong communication skills are crucial for overcoming roadblocks and ensuring that innovation projects progress successfully from the lab to real-world application.

What is the difference between Senior Innovation Scientist vs Innovation Scientist?

AspectSenior Innovation ScientistInnovation Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Science/Engineering, PhD often preferred, with experience in innovation projectsBachelor's or Master's in Science/Engineering, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, cross-functional teamsResearch teams, product development, innovation labs
Employer & Industry UsageTech, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and R&D-focused companiesSimilar industries, often as entry or mid-level roles in innovation teams

In summary, a Senior Innovation Scientist typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and advanced expertise compared to an Innovation Scientist. Both roles work within R&D environments, but the senior position often involves guiding projects and mentoring junior staff.

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What cities are hiring for Senior Innovation Scientist jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Innovation Scientist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Innovation Scientist jobs?

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What states have the most Senior Innovation Scientist jobs?

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What are popular job titles related to Senior Innovation Scientist jobs?

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Senior Innovation Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Innovation Scientist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,545 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Sr Scientist - Innovation Chef

Plano, TX • On-site

Yum! Brands
Traveler Accommodation • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Yum! Brandsexternal

$99K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Advance menu and ingredient innovation by leading hands-on product development, structured testing, data analysis, and sensory evaluation to ensure flavors perform from kitchen to restaurant.

  • Enable strong supplier partnerships by gathering and translating technical inputs, validating compliance to specs, and coordinating ingredients to support scalable, craveable, commercially viable solutions.

  • Drive transformative impact for KFC US by owning end-to-end innovation workstreams-from concept ideation through initial commercialization-ensuring ideas translate into real, executable menu wins.

Yum! Brands rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

You will play a critical role in fueling KFC US' pipeline of finger lickin' good innovations by helping develop new menu items that deliver crave-worthy, guest-delighting experiences. Your mission is to support and lead portions of the innovation process-from early concept development to testing and validation-by contributing technical expertise, coordinating cross-functional input, and advancing new products toward commercialization. You will help ensure that every new menu item meets KFC's high standards for taste, quality, operational ease, and brand relevance.

Education:

  • You will be required to attend the Plano, TX office 3 days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year university, Culinary Degree or relevant work experience

Experience:

  • 5-7+ years of professional culinary experience. 
  • Experience in New Product Development/Food Innovation in the restaurant industry is required. 
  • QSR experience is preferred but not required

Skills:

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to engage and align cross-functional stakeholders; ability to present effectively.
  • Strong analytical skills to interpret data and form action-able recommendations.
  • Proven project management capabilities, including driving great outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

Mindset:

  • Passion for creating craveable, high-quality food experiences.
  • Curious, resourceful, and energized by innovation and experimentation.
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and iterating quickly to move ideas forward.
  • Collaborative team player who inspires others and contributes positively to team culture.
  • Resilient and persistent in driving development work through technical and operational challenges.

Salary Range: $99,200 to $105,030 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate's location, experience, and other job-related factors.

  • Advance menu and ingredient innovation by leading hands-on product development, structured testing, data analysis, and sensory evaluation to ensure flavors perform from kitchen to restaurant.
  • Enable strong supplier partnerships by gathering and translating technical inputs, validating compliance to specs, and coordinating ingredients to support scalable, craveable, commercially viable solutions.
  • Evaluate consumer, operational, and cost data to identify opportunities that improve product quality, consistency, executional ease, and overall value.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Ops, QA, Supply Chain, and Finance; synthesize findings into clear recommendations, trial readouts, and storytelling materials that support decision-making.
  • Track culinary, menu, and ingredient trends-both within QSR and adjacent segments-to inform forward-looking menu evolution and ingredient strategy.
  • Represent the FIT team as a culinary subject-matter expert in cross-functional forums by sharing progress, surfacing risks, resolving roadblocks, and guiding solutions.
  • Drive transformative impact for KFC US by owning end-to-end innovation workstreams-from concept ideation through initial commercialization-ensuring ideas translate into real, executable menu wins.

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