Principal Scientist

Opella; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Opella seeks a Principal Scientist to lead formulation development of oral OTC ingestible products, focusing on gummies across sleep, pain, allergy, and wellness categories. You will drive projects from concept to commercialization and provide technical leadership across functions.

You will collaborate with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, and Supply Chain to deliver consumer-focused products, guarantee regulatory compliance, and mentor teams while advancing innovative delivery platforms and

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years with PhD, 8+ years with MS, or 10+ years with BS of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience developing gummy or confectionery dosage forms (required).
• Proven experience with OTC oral products, dietary supplements, or functional confections.
• Demonstrated success in commercializing products from concept to launch.

Responsibilities

• Lead gummy oral dosage form development (pectin/gelatin) and related dosage forms.
• Design formulations containing APIs including antihistamines, analgesics, sleep aids, melatonin, magnesium, botanicals.
• Scale products from bench to pilot and manufacturing, including tech transfer to CDMOs and internal sites.
• Partner with Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain for successful launches.
• Drives innovation in delivery formats, flavors, and ingredient/vendor selection while ensuring compliance.

Skills

Gummy formulation

Oral dosage form development

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Scale-up & manufacturing transfer

Education

PhD in Chemistry

MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

BS in Chemistry

Job description

Salary Range

$98,250.00 - $141,916.66

All Compensation Will Be Determined Commensurate With Demonstrated Experience.

This position offers relocation assistance to Chattanooga, TN.

You’ve built experience, now use it where bold ideas meet real impact. At Opella, we’re challenging how self-care works for millions of people and need leaders and experts ready to shape what’s next. As a Principal Scientist, you’ll bring your skill, your curiosity and your drive to make health simpler, smarter and more human.

About The Job

• Lead formulation development of oral OTC ingestible products, with a strong focus on gummy dosage forms across sleep, pain, allergy, and wellness categories


• Apply deep expertise in gummy formulation science, including active ingredient delivery, taste masking, texture optimization, and stability


• Drive product development from concept through commercialization, including scale-up and manufacturing transfer


• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams to deliver innovative consumer-focused products


• Translate consumer insights and market trends into differentiated, high-performing OTC products


• Ensure formulations meet regulatory requirements, quality standards, and commercialization timelines


• Provide technical leadership and innovation in developing consumer-loved products with strong efficacy, flavor, and user experience

Main Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of oral OTC dosage forms, primarily gummies (pectin and gelatin-based systems), with some experience in soft chews preferred


• Design and optimize formulations containing APIs and active ingredients including antihistamines, analgesics, sleep aids, melatonin, magnesium, and botanicals


• Solve critical technical challenges related to taste masking, flavor systems, texture optimization, stability, bioavailability, and sugar-free formulations


• Scale products from bench development through pilot and commercial manufacturing, including technology transfer to CDMOs and internal manufacturing sites


• Partner cross-functionally with Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to support successful product launches


• Drive innovation by identifying emerging trends in delivery formats, ingredients, and consumer preferences while guiding ingredient and vendor selection


• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, OTC monographs, dietary supplement guidelines, cGMP standards, and provide technical leadership, troubleshooting, and mentorship across projects

About You

• Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related field


• Ph.D 5+ years, M.S. with 8+ years, or B.S. with 10+ years of relevant experience


• Strong hands-on experience developing gummy or confectionery-based dosage forms (required)


• Proven experience with OTC oral products, dietary supplements, or functional confections


• Demonstrated success in commercializing products from concept to launch


• Deep expertise in gummy and oral delivery formulation science, including hydrocolloid systems, API compatibility, moisture control, shelf-life optimization, taste masking, and sugar-free technologies


• Strong understanding of commercial manufacturing processes including cooking, depositing, molding, drying, coating, and finishing, with experience partnering with CDMOs and vendor network

This is more than the next step in your career, it’s a chance to lead change and help reinvent self-care for the world. If you’re ready to challenge, inspire and deliver impact that matters, we’re ready for you. We are challengers. We are Opella.

Opella Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affi­rmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us

Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over The Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally.

Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting.

At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan.

As a globally certified B Corp company, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com.

Opella values diversity in all its forms and is committed to fostering a workplace where everyone can belong and excel. We welcome an Opella values diversity in all its forms and is committed to fostering a workplace where everyone can belong and excel. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.