Customer Innovation Food Science Intern: Differentiated Services

ingredion; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Intern Coaching Program

Capstone Summit access

Job summary

Ingredion invites motivated students to join the Customer Innovation team as a Summer 2027 intern in the Differentiated Services Program. You will translate ideas into tangible, market-ready prototypes by scaling lab concepts in the food pilot plant and preparing technical reports.

You will work with the Customer Innovation and Differentiated Services teams to develop customer-valued solutions, analyze data, and present results to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with lab or pilot plant experiments is a plus.
• Strong planning, organization, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to work 40 hours per week in summer internship.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects to meet timelines and deliverables.
• Analyze data, results, and literature to advance projects.
• Maintain a safe, GMP-compliant work environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve formulation challenges.
• Present prototypes and updates to team and stakeholders.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations.

Skills

Food concept development

Data analysis

Project planning

Team collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Lab equipment

Pilot plant equipment

Job description

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you've experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet's food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you're just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Bridgewater, NJ Idea Lab

Workplace type : On Site

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious student to join our Customer Innovation team for summer 2027! As the Customer Innovation Intern to the Differentiated Services Program, you will provide technical support to the program and related customers in the US/Canada region via new product development and the creation of customer valued solutions. The Differentiated Services program is a holistic product development service model that focuses on translating customer ideas into tangible, market ready products using predictive formulation, consumer liking, and technical expertise. Utilizing Ingredion's Idea Labs capabilities, you will be responsible for taking lab-scale concepts and scaling them up in the food pilot plant to produce high quality prototypes. You will perform research related duties as needed or assigned, execute on analytical testing, as well as document and prepare technical reports with guidance from your manager.

What You Will Do:

• Manage work project(s) to meet project timelines and deliverables.
• Analyze and understand data, results, and scientific literature to advance projects.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment and follow established guidelines for good housekeeping, GMPs, SafeServ, and safety.
• Work collaboratively with the Customer Innovation and Differentiated Services teams, as well as other internal subject matter experts, to identify formulation challenges, solve problems, and develop innovative solutions.
• Present prototypes, project status updates, and project outcomes to team members and key stakeholders.
• Compose presentations and technical reports to communicate project findings and recommendations.

What You Will Bring:

• Experience with hands-on food concept development using laboratory and/or pilot plant equipment is a plus.
• Knowledge of common food processes, ingredient functionality, and ingredient interactions, with familiarity in experimental design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week during the summer internship term.
• Reliable transportation to and from the facility each workday.

Who You Are:

• Passionate about food science with a strong curiosity and eagerness to learn.
• Able to collaborate effectively with peers and cross-functional teams while also working independently to achieve results.
• A creative problem solver who challenges conventional approaches and embraces a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and navigating ambiguity with flexibility and resilience.
• Present prototypes, project status, updates and outcomes to team and key stakeholders.
• Compose presentations and technical reports on project findings.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:

• Currently possess unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. Ingredion does not intend to sponsor work visas with respect to this position or to provide this position as OPT or CPT.
• Be a currently enrolled student in a Bachelor's degree program in Food Science, Food Engineering or a related field. If currently enrolled in an undergrad status, must have completed at least two years of coursework with status as a sophomore, junior or non-graduating senior.
• If you have completed your degree, please consider other opportunities with Ingredion, posted at ww.ingredion.com/careers.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exception rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package - competitive hourly salary based on your degree program. Housing stipends offered to students relocating 51+ miles from the Ingredion work location
• Internship Program Events & Activities - programming catered toward career exploration, networking, and professional development - including the annual Capstone Summit at Ingredion HQ in Westchester, IL
• Intern Coaching Program - pairing with a mentor to coach development and integration in Ingredion's culture
• Involvement in Ingredion's Business Resource Groups - the conscience of the organization and an integral part to Ingredion's Inclusion & Belonging strategy
• Employee Recognition P