Usda Pilot Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location: Vernon, Ca
Compensation: $95,000 - $120,000 annual
Reports to: Director of R&D

Are you passionate about bringing innovative food products from concept to commercialization? Do you enjoy working hands-on in the lab, leading plant trials, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop products consumers love?

We're looking for a Senior Food Scientist to play a key role in shaping the future of Archer's premium meat snack portfolio. In this highly visible role, you'll own product development projects from ideation through commercialization, partnering with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and FSQA to deliver best-in-class products while continuously improving quality, efficiency, and consumer experience.

If you're energized by solving technical challenges, working directly with manufacturing, and seeing your products on shelves nationwide, we'd love to hear from you.

• Lead product development projects from concept through commercialization across Archer's premium meat snack portfolio.
• Develop and optimize formulations for new products, line extensions, and product renovations.
• Conduct bench-top formulation work, ingredient evaluations, sensory testing, and prototype development.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute pilot plant and full-scale production trials while ensuring successful commercialization.
• Partner with Marketing to translate consumer insights into innovative products that meet customer and market needs.
• Collaborate with Operations to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and improve product quality, yields, and production efficiencies.
• Evaluate new ingredients, suppliers, technologies, and processing methods that improve product functionality, quality, and cost.
• Maintain product formulations, Bills of Materials (BOMs), product specifications, and technical documentation.
• Conduct Design of Experiments (DOE) and leverage data to drive formulation improvements and process optimization.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, food safety, labeling, allergen, and regulatory requirements.
• Generate and validate Nutrition Facts Panels, ingredient statements, and product documentation using Genesis or comparable nutritional analysis software.
• Serve as a technical partner across R&D, Operations, Procurement, FSQA, Marketing, and Commercial teams throughout the product lifecycle.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Meat Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in food product development, R&D, or food science within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or food manufacturing industry.
• Experience developing and commercializing products in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience conducting bench-top development, pilot plant trials, and commercial production trials.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, and formulation development.
• Working knowledge of USDA, FDA, GMP, HACCP, food labeling, allergen regulations, and food safety requirements.
• Experience using Genesis or comparable nutritional analysis software.
• Strong analytical, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Preferred: Experience within meat snacks, meat processing, protein products, or other USDA-regulated food manufacturing environments.

• Innovation: Play a direct role in developing the next generation of Archer products that reach consumers nationwide.
• Ownership: Lead projects from concept through commercialization while partnering with leaders across Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Growth: Join one of the fastest-growing premium meat snack brands with significant opportunities for career development and technical leadership.
• Benefits: Competitive compensation, paid time off, and 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Culture: Be part of a collaborative, entrepreneurial team where innovation, continuous improvement, and great ideas are valued every day.

To learn more about us, visit www.archerjerky.com.

Archer Meat Snacks is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.