Associate Research and Development Technician

Tyson Foods; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) plans

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Job summary

Tyson Foods is seeking an Associate R&D Technician to support research and development efforts with growing independence and technical proficiency. The role emphasizes product preparation, data collection, and collaboration to meet project goals.

You will work under minimal direction, perform basic equipment adjustments, and help maintain safe kitchen and lab practices while contributing to broader R&D objectives.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma.
• Experience: QA, Laboratory, or product development experience preferred.
• Computer Skills: Basic skills preferred.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Product Preparation & Execution: Anticipate preparation needs and perform cutting and product setup with minimal direction.
• Data Collection & Documentation: Proactively identify and collect data and maintain accurate records.
• Equipment & Process Knowledge: Set up and operate standard kitchen process equipment and adjust settings as needed.
• Food Safety & Risk Management: Recognize potential food safety risks and take action to mitigate them.
• Work Execution & Development: Independently prioritize tasks and pursue opportunities to expand technical skills.

Skills

QA

Laboratory

Product development

Communication skills

Computer skills

Education

High School diploma

Job description

Position Summary

The Associate R&D Technician plays an active role in supporting research and development activities with increased independence and technical proficiency. This position anticipates team needs, executes product preparation and data collection with minimal direction, and contributes to team success through strong collaboration, technical capability, and proactive problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

Product Preparation & Execution

• Anticipate preparation needs and perform cutting and product setup with minimal direction.
• Ensure products are accurately prepared, cut, and presented to required standards.
• Convert and apply weight and measurement units (e.g., grams to ounces) accurately.

Data Collection & Documentation

• Proactively identify and collect appropriate data required for various project types.
• Maintain accurate and complete data records using spreadsheets and digital tools.
• Utilize systems such as email, online scheduling platforms, and scale automation programs.

Equipment & Process Knowledge

• Set up and operate standard kitchen process equipment independently.
• Make basic adjustments to equipment settings as needed to support product execution.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of process equipment within a kitchen environment.

Food Safety & Risk Management

• Recognize potential food safety risks and take appropriate action to mitigate or eliminate them.
• Identify safety hazards and proactively address risks to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Execution & Development

• Independently prioritize and manage daily tasks to meet project needs.
• Recognize routine responsibilities and complete them without direction.
• Actively pursue opportunities to learn and expand technical skillsets.
• Demonstrate understanding of how individual responsibilities contribute to broader R&D objectives.
• Maintain focus on achieving success for the immediate R&D team.
• Ensure tasks are completed efficiently, addressing unexpected issues by asking targeted, relevant questions.

Professional Expectations

Work Habits

• Maintain appropriate professional appearance aligned with office and operational requirements.
• Demonstrate initiative and accountability in completing work with minimal supervision.
• Exhibit strong time management and adaptability in a dynamic R&D environment.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Build strong working relationships by seeking to understand others and fostering teamwork.
• Provide training and guidance to less experienced technicians.
• Share knowledge, best practices, and insights across teams and business groups.

Communication Skills

• Respond to inquiries with clear, thorough answers.
• Proactively provide additional relevant information to support team decision‑making and project success.

Success Criteria

• Anticipates needs and executes tasks with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates technical competence in preparation, equipment use, and data collection.
• Contributes to a safe and compliant work environment.
• Supports team performance through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and leadership among peers.
• Maintains efficiency and minimizes delays through proactive problem solving and effective communication.

Requirements

• Education: High School diploma.
• Experience: QA, Laboratory, or product development experience preferred.
• Computer Skills: Basic skills preferred.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Local candidates will be given priority.
• Must reside in the United States to be considered.
• Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Relocation Assistance Eligible: No.
• Work Shift: 1ST SHIFT (United States of America)
• Certain roles at Tyson require background checks.
• If you are offered a position that requires a background check you will be provided additional documentation to complete once an offer has been extended.
• Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.
• The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.

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Benefits

• paid time off
• 401(k) plans
• affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits

Company Culture

Our team members make the difference.

If you are ready to grow your career with an industry leader and want to positively impact the team and community around you, then join us in helping us in raising expectations.

Join us on the journey.

At Tyson, we feed the world like family.

Our Talent Strategy is to Attract, Grow, Reward and Retain the best talent, and we believe that our Culture is the connecting thread that drives that strategy!

We strive to be a talent magnet to establish a reputation for being a talent rich organization where team members can grow their career while growing the business.

We are a high performing organization where team members are rewarded (Pay, Benefits and Recognition) for their contributions, and given the opportunity to support and/or volunteer with programs that help Tyson make a lasting social impact in the communities where we live and work.

To learn more about our culture, please read Our Purpose.