Principal Product Development Engineer, Innovation

Relate Search; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with company contribution

Opportunities for professional training and development

Job summary

An executive search firm is looking for a Principal Product Development Engineer in Charlotte, NC. This role involves leading formulation and process development for OTC soft-chew products, ensuring scalability and manufacturability. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 10+ years of experience, especially in dietary supplements. The position offers competitive compensation and comprehensive health benefits, promoting a strong focus on innovation and quality in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in product development or engineering.
• Expertise in formulation and development within dietary supplements.
• Strong knowledge of confectionery manufacturing and regulatory practices.
• Strong knowledge of confectionery manufacturing, cGMP, and regulated development practices.
• Proven ability to apply statistical analysis, DOE, and data-driven methodologies to support development decisions.
• Competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company contribution.
• Opportunities for professional training and development.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and process development for OTC products.
• Translate product briefs into actionable formulation strategies.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to meet development targets.
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to resolve development challenges and ensure commercialization readiness
• Establish and govern technical standards including stage gate processes, validation criteria, stability strategies, and change control rigor

Skills

Product development

Soft-chew formulation

Statistical analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, food science, chemistry, or related field

Job description

Relate Search has partnered with an organization in the OTC and supplement space in their search for a Principal Product Development Engineer to serve as a subject matter expert in formulation and process development. This role will play a critical part in shaping a portfolio rooted in confectionery science, ensuring products are both innovative and manufacturable at scale. You will partner cross-functionally to drive end-to-end development from feasibility through commercialization, while establishing disciplined development standards and mentoring technical teams. This is a highly visible role that influences how the organization scales in a regulated and rapidly growing category.

Responsibilities:

• Lead formulation and process development for OTC and supplement soft-chew products, ensuring scalability, manufacturability, and alignment to product requirements
• Translate product briefs and consumer needs into formulation strategies that meet dose, sensory, and operational targets
• Apply structured development methodologies, including Design of Experiments (DOE), to define critical parameters and improve repeatability and scale-up success
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to resolve development challenges and ensure commercialization readiness
• Establish and govern technical standards including stage gate processes, validation criteria, stability strategies, and change control rigor

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, food science, chemistry, pharmaceutical science, or related scientific discipline
• 10+ years of experience in product development, engineering, or a related function
• Experience in soft-chew formulation and development within OTC, dietary supplement, or food product environments
• Strong knowledge of confectionery manufacturing, cGMP, and regulated development practices
• Proven ability to apply statistical analysis, DOE, and data-driven methodologies to support development decisions
• Competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company contribution.
• Opportunities for professional training and development.

About Relate Search

Relate Search is a Woman, Minority, and LGBTQIA+ owned executive and professional search firm dedicated to connecting top talent with meaningful opportunity. With deep expertise across Supply Chain & Operations, Technology, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, and Accounting & Finance we deliver customized, people-first recruiting solutions that drive lasting impact.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

Relate Search is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to building inclusive teams where everyone belongs. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.