Principal Regulatory Scientist (Ph.D.)

Exponent; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Principal Regulatory Scientist (Ph.D.) in Menlo Park, CA. You will lead regulatory strategy for food safety, nutrition, and regulatory affairs, guiding clients on GRAS, FAP, and market access while managing multidisciplinary teams and fostering growth.

You will mentor staff, develop new business, and collaborate across practices to deliver integrated solutions for complex food and regulatory challenges.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Regulatory Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of consulting, industry, regulatory, or leadership experience.
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. food, feed, and ingredient regulatory frameworks.
• Proven track record in developing new business and client relationships.
• Experience leading regulatory strategy and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic scientific and regulatory guidance for food ingredients and nutritional products.
• Advise on regulatory compliance, market authorization, and product approvals across frameworks like GRAS and FAP.
• Develop and implement regulatory strategies to support innovation and growth.
• Identify and pursue new client engagements and expand existing relationships.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and manage budgets and communications.
• Mentor junior consultants and contribute to thought leadership.
• Collaborate across Exponent practices to deliver integrated solutions.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Business development

Client engagement

Strategic advisory

Team leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Food Science or related field

Job description

Principal Regulatory Scientist (Ph.D.)

ID 2026-2587

Location: US-CA-Menlo Park

Practice: Chemical Regulation and Food Safety

Position Type: Full-time

Posted Salary Range: USD $200,000.00 - USD $240,000.00 /Yr.

About Exponent

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients' most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.

Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you'll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!

Key statistics:

• 950+ Consultants
• 640+ Ph.D.s
• 90+ Disciplines
• 30+ Offices globally

Our Opportunity

We are currently seeking an accomplished leader for a Principal Scientist position in our Chemical Regulation & Food Safety Practice based in Menlo Park, CA. In this role, you will leverage deep expertise in food science, regulatory affairs, nutrition, and food safety to address complex scientific, regulatory, and business challenges across a broad range of food, beverage, nutritional, and animal feed products. You will provide strategic guidance to clients on regulatory compliance, product approvals, market access, food defense, science policy, stakeholder engagement, and emerging regulatory issues while helping clients navigate an evolving global regulatory landscape.

As a Principal at Exponent, you will lead client engagements, serve as a trusted advisor to industry leaders, identify and develop new business opportunities, expand relationships with existing clients, and contribute to the continued growth of the Chemical Regulation & Food Safety Practice. You will also play a key role in mentoring technical staff, fostering a collaborative and scientifically rigorous culture, and advancing Exponent's reputation as a leader in food and chemical regulatory consulting.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic scientific and regulatory expertise related to food ingredients, animal feed, nutritional products, beverages, novel foods, and associated manufacturing processes, including biotechnology-derived products and emerging technologies.
• Advising clients on regulatory compliance, product stewardship, market authorization, and product approval pathways, including GRAS, Food Additive Petitions (FAP), AAFCO, and other domestic and international regulatory frameworks, while supporting engagement with regulatory agencies, trade associations, and other key stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing regulatory strategies that support product innovation, commercialization, and long-term business objectives.
• Identifying, pursuing, and securing new client engagements by understanding emerging industry needs and building lasting client relationships.
• Expanding and strengthening relationships with existing clients by consistently delivering exceptional technical and strategic guidance.
• Leading multidisciplinary project teams and providing oversight for complex scientific and regulatory consulting engagements.
• Managing project execution, staffing, budgets, and client communications to ensure successful outcomes and a high standard of quality.
• Providing technical leadership, peer review, and scientific direction across a broad portfolio of food safety and regulatory projects.
• Mentoring, developing, and supporting junior and mid-level consultants, fostering professional growth and future leadership within the practice.
• Contributing to Exponent's thought leadership through publications, conference presentations, industry participation, leadership roles in professional and trade organizations, and engagement with regulatory bodies.
• Monitoring emerging scientific, regulatory, and industry developments and translating evolving requirements into practical business solutions for clients.
• Collaborating across Exponent practices to deliver integrated solutions to complex client challenges.

Skills and Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Regulatory Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of consulting, industry, regulatory, or leadership experience, including experience leading regulatory strategy, business growth, or multidisciplinary teams.
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. food, feed, and ingredient regulatory frameworks, with demonstrated experience supporting global regulatory strategies and international market access.
• Demonstrated expertise with food and feed regulatory programs, including GRAS determinations, Food Additive Petitions, AAFCO submissions, novel foods, biotechnology-derived products, and related regulatory processes.
• Proven track record of developing new business, generating revenue, and building long-term client relationships.
• Established reputation among clients, regulators, industry peers, and the scientific community for integrity, responsiveness, sound judgment, and technical excellence.
• Experience serving as a strategic advisor to senior client stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Strong business development, networking, and relationship management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific and regulatory concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and successfully manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong people leadership and mentoring skills, with a commitment to developing technical talent and fostering collaboration.

Life @ Exponent

To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:

https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent

https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact

We value and encourage diversity, equity and inclusion across all facets of our firm. Having a team built of people with different backgrounds, skills and perspectives allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.

Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well‑being. We believe that providing competitive benefits, as well as compensation and recognition programs, empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference.

Work Environment

At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment.

We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well‑being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients. #LI-Onsite

Compensation

Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Manager level and above, total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is depending on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.

Salary Range

USD $200,000.00 - USD $240,000.00 /Yr.

Benefits you will enjoy

Access benefits information on our Life @ Exponent page:

https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent

Exponent is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at [e-mail].

Job Locations

US-CA-Menlo Park