Principal Scientist

Opella Healthcare Group; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 98,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Opella is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead the formulation development of oral OTC gummy dosage forms, driving from concept through commercialization. You will solve taste masking, texture, stability, and sugar-free challenges while coordinating with Regulatory, Quality, Marketing and Manufacturing teams to ensure compliant, high-quality products.

Relocation to Chattanooga, TN is offered. The role requires deep gummy formulation expertise, hands-on API compatibility work, and a track record

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related field.
• 5+ years (Ph.D.), 8+ years (M.S.), or 10+ years (B.S.) of relevant experience.
• Strong hands-on experience developing gummy or confectionery-based dosage forms.
• Proven experience with OTC oral products, dietary supplements, or functional confections.
• Deep expertise in gummy and oral delivery formulation science including taste masking and sugar-free technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of oral OTC dosage forms, primarily gummies, with some soft chews experience preferred.
• Design and optimize formulations with APIs including antihistamines, analgesics, sleep aids, and botanicals.
• Scale products from bench to pilot and commercial manufacturing with technology transfer.
• Partner with Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain for launches.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across projects.

Skills

Gummy formulations

OTC oral products

API compatibility

Texture optimization

Taste masking

Scale-up manufacturing

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory understanding

Education

Ph.D.

M.S.

B.S.

Tools

Deposition equipment

Molding equipment

Coating equipment

Job description

Salary Range:$98,250.00 - $141,916.66All 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 categoriesApply deep expertise in gummy formulation science, including active ingredient delivery, taste masking, texture optimization, and stabilityDrive product development from concept through commercialization, including scale-up and manufacturing transferPartner cross-functionally with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams to deliver innovative consumer-focused productsTranslate consumer insights and market trends into differentiated, high-performing OTC productsEnsure formulations meet regulatory requirements, quality standards, and commercialization timelinesProvide technical leadership and innovation in developing consumer-loved products with strong efficacy, flavor, and user experienceMain responsibilities:Lead formulation development of oral OTC dosage forms, primarily gummies (pectin and gelatin-based systems), with some experience in soft chews preferredDesign and optimize formulations containing APIs and active ingredients including antihistamines, analgesics, sleep aids, melatonin, magnesium, and botanicalsSolve critical technical challenges related to taste masking, flavor systems, texture optimization, stability, bioavailability, and sugar-free formulationsScale products from bench development through pilot and commercial manufacturing, including technology transfer to CDMOs and internal manufacturing sitesPartner cross-functionally with Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to support successful product launchesDrive innovation by identifying emerging trends in delivery formats, ingredients, and consumer preferences while guiding ingredient and vendor selectionEnsure compliance with FDA regulations, OTC monographs, dietary supplement guidelines, cGMP standards, and provide technical leadership, troubleshooting, and mentorship across projectsAbout you:Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related fieldPh.D 5+ years, M.S. with 8+ years, or B.S. with 10+ years of relevant experienceStrong hands-on experience developing gummy or confectionery-based dosage forms (required)Proven experience with OTC oral products, dietary supplements, or functional confectionsDemonstrated success in commercializing products from concept to launchDeep expertise in gummy and oral delivery formulation science, including hydrocolloid systems, API compatibility, moisture control, shelf-life optimization, taste masking, and sugar-free technologiesStrong understanding of commercial manufacturing processes including cooking, depositing, molding, drying, coating, and finishing, with experience partnering with CDMOs and vendor networkThis 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 anOpella 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.