Associate Scientist

Red Boot Beverage; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Simple IRA

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Red Boot Beverage is seeking an Associate Scientist to join our R&D team in Detroit. You will perform hands-on lab work, formulate testing, optimize processes, and analyze data to drive new beverage products and improvements.

The role requires 1–3 years in a lab/R&D setting, familiarity with pH measurement and data analysis, and strong documentation and teamwork skills. On-site full‑time position with travel up to 5% and U.S. work authorization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 1–3 years of hands‑on experience in an R&D or laboratory setting, preferably within the food and beverage industry.
• Familiarity with experimental design, data analysis, and lab techniques such as pH measurement or stability analysis.
• Strong documentation skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team‑oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and basic data analysis tools.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently as well as in a team environment to attain personal, team and company goals
• Well‑organized and skilled in time management, prioritization, scheduling, and meeting deadlines

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot‑scale trials following established protocols and safety procedures.
• Support the development, optimization, and validation of formulations and processes.
• Prepare and analyze prototypes using standard laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Collect, interpret, and present experimental data clearly and accurately.
• Maintain detailed documentation, including lab notebooks, data sheets, and reports.
• Assist in troubleshooting formulation or process challenges.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams such as Quality, Operations, and Regulatory Affairs.
• Maintain lab equipment and ensure a safe, clean, and organized working environment.
• Contributes to the preparation of technical documents, reports, and presentations.
• Keep current with relevant scientific literature, tools, and best practices.
• Cultivate and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures and regulations; identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions; participate in safety meetings as required
• Meet all GMP, SQF, and safety requirements; participate in food and safety meetings

Skills

Lab work

Data analysis

Experimental design

Documentation

Communication

Education

BSc in Food Science

MSc in Chemistry

Tools

pH measurement

Stability analysis

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

• Bilingual (Spanish preferred)

On-site | Full-Time | U.S. Work Authorization Required

Location: Detroit, Michigan

Position Summary

The Associate Scientist performs hands‑on lab work, formulation testing, process optimization, and data analysis. The successful candidate will work cross‑functionally to assist in the development, testing, and refinement of new products and processes, helping to drive innovation and ensure high standards of quality and performance.

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot‑scale trials following established protocols and safety procedures.
• Support the development, optimization, and validation of formulations and processes.
• Prepare and analyze prototypes using standard laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Collect, interpret, and present experimental data clearly and accurately.
• Maintain detailed documentation, including lab notebooks, data sheets, and reports.
• Assist in troubleshooting formulation or process challenges.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams such as Quality, Operations, and Regulatory Affairs.
• Maintain lab equipment and ensure a safe, clean, and organized working environment.
• Contributes to the preparation of technical documents, reports, and presentations.
• Keep current with relevant scientific literature, tools, and best practices.
• Cultivate and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures and regulations; identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions; participate in safety meetings as required
• Meet all GMP, SQF, and safety requirements; participate in food and safety meetings

Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve over time.

Travel

This position requires up to 5% of travel to customers or conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 1–3 years of hands‑on experience in an R&D or laboratory setting, preferably within the food and beverage industry.
• Familiarity with experimental design, data analysis, and lab techniques such as pH measurement or stability analysis.
• Strong documentation skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team‑oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and basic data analysis tools.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently as well as in a team environment to attain personal, team and company goals
• Well‑organized and skilled in time management, prioritization, scheduling, and meeting deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with production environments
• Exposure to regulatory guidelines and product development processes
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality or analytical instrumentation
• Understanding of quality systems, GMP, or HACCP principles
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred)

Work Expectations

• This is a regular, full‑time position with assigned office hours located onsite.
• The ability to be available for work daily and extended hours as necessary.
• Work is performed in a warehouse environment, manufacturing plant and occasionally outside in what may be adverse weather conditions.
• The work environment can involve exposure to heat, cold, humidity, moving machinery, extreme noise, visual strain, confined spaces, fumes, odors, dust mists, and gases.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk andlisten.
• This position requires long periods sitting/driving a forklift, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing and operating machinery.
• The employee should be able to lift and/or move items up to up to 50+ pounds many times per day.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Why Join Red Boot Beverage

As an Associate Scientist, you will gain hands‑on experience in beverage formulation, product development, process optimization, and pilot‑scale testing while working closely with cross‑functional teams. This role offers the opportunity to apply your scientific expertise, contribute to innovative products, and grow your career in a collaborative environment focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Simple IRA
• Simple IRA matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship. Note: We are not accepting third-party solicitations from recruiting firms.