Product Development Technologist

fairlife LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage from

Paid Time Off

Parental leave & adoption assistance

401(k) with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

fairlife, LLC in Chicago, IL seeks a Product Development Technologist to support dairy product development, optimization, and commercialization through hands-on lab and pilot plant work. You will collaborate with R&D and cross‑functional partners on new product development, maintenance, improvement, and data‑driven decisions.

The role involves formulation development, testing, scale‑up activities, and technical documentation to enable successful launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, dairy science, chemistry, biology or related discipline required.
• 0–2 years' experience in the food industry (Dairy applications is a plus).
• Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to work autonomously and adapt to changes in schedule.
• Proficiency in English: comfortable with both written and verbal communication, including reading and writing.

Responsibilities

• Develops and prepares product prototypes using laboratory and pilot plant equipment to support research and development activities.
• Selects and applies appropriate methodologies for project execution and contributes to the design and implementation of experimental plans.
• Assists with pilot plant trials, scale-up activities, and production validations to support commercialization and successful product launches.
• Sets up, operates, and maintains laboratory and pilot plant equipment to ensure accurate and efficient testing.
• Participates in product benchmarking and sensory evaluations to assess product quality, performance, and competitive positioning.
• Conducts analytical and functional testing of ingredients including raw and processed dairy, utilizing laboratory instrumentation; analyzes and interprets experimental data to support project recommendations and decision-making.
• Maintains accurate laboratory notebooks, test records, and technical documentation in accordance with company procedures.
• Prepares summaries, reports, and presentations to communicate project findings and recommendations.
• Coordinates with suppliers and internal stakeholders, including other company locations, to procure materials and support project needs.
• Receives and organizes incoming deliveries in support of laboratory operations.
• Sources ingredients and manages laboratory inventory to ensure availability of materials for ongoing projects.
• Maintains a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment in compliance with company and regulatory standards.

Skills

Ambiguity tolerance

Autonomy

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science / dairy science / chemistry / biology

0–2 years' experience in the food industry

Job description

Job Purpose

The Product Development Technologist supports the development, optimization, and commercialization of dairy products through hands‑on laboratory and pilot plant activities as a member of the Product Development team. Working collaboratively in R&D, as well as with cross‑functional partners, this role contributes to new product development, product maintenance, product improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple product lines. Responsibilities include formulation development, ingredient evaluation, analytical and functional testing, scale‑up activities, technical documentation, and data analysis to support successful product launches. The Product Development Technologist ensures laboratory activities are conducted in accordance with quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develops and prepares product prototypes using laboratory and pilot plant equipment to support research and development activities.
• Selects and applies appropriate methodologies for project execution and contributes to the design and implementation of experimental plans.
• Assists with pilot plant trials, scale‑up activities, and production validations to support commercialization and successful product launches.
• Sets up, operates, and maintains laboratory and pilot plant equipment to ensure accurate and efficient testing.
• Participates in product benchmarking and sensory evaluations to assess product quality, performance, and competitive positioning.
• Conducts analytical and functional testing of ingredients including raw and processed dairy, utilizing laboratory instrumentation; analyzes and interprets experimental data to support project recommendations and decision‑making.
• Maintains accurate laboratory notebooks, test records, and technical documentation in accordance with company procedures.
• Prepares summaries, reports, and presentations to communicate project findings and recommendations.
• Coordinates with suppliers and internal stakeholders, including other company locations, to procure materials and support project needs.
• Receives and organizes incoming deliveries in support of laboratory operations.
• Sources ingredients and manages laboratory inventory to ensure availability of materials for ongoing projects.
• Maintains a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment in compliance with company and regulatory standards.

Skills & Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in food science, dairy science, chemistry, biology or related discipline required.
• 0–2 years' experience in the food industry (Dairy applications is a plus).
• Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to work autonomously and adapt to changes in schedule.
• Proficiency in English: comfortable with both written and verbal communication, including reading and writing.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• 8+ hours sitting/standing/walking.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Reaching/bending required.
• Exposure to hazards (steam, flammable chemicals, machinery, confined spaces, etc.).
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a lab and pilot plant environment where the noise level is usually moderate, but can be high. PPE is required in certain situations and will be provided.
• Be flexible with hours and scheduling, ability to work all shifts including extended hours as needed (up to 12 hours due to certain trial work).

Benefits & Nourishment Program

At fairlife, we believe in better — and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance).
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work‑life balance.
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000).
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support.
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match.
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work‑life support.
• Company‑paid life insurance and short‑term disability.
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants).
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month).
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential.
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups.

fairlife's nourish program is designed to meet you where you are — supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.

Location

Chicago, IL

Reports To

Manager, Product Development

Travel Requirements

10%

Exempt/Nonexempt

Exempt

Compensation

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range: $65,000—$80,000 USD

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job‑related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [e-mail].

Recruitment Agencies

At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.

Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.