R&D Food Technologist - St. Charles, MO

Riviana Foods Inc. - USA; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Bertagni USA is expanding its pasta-focused R&D and manufacturing presence in Saint Charles, Missouri. We seek a hands-on, technically curious Research & Development Technician to join our new operation and participate in technical training in Italy.

The role concentrates on pilot-line product development, customer trials, and commercialization, with opportunities to provide technical QA and support as manufacturing scales up.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Biology, or related discipline preferred.
• 1–3 years in food product development, food manufacturing, QA, or related technical experience preferred.
• Experience with pasta, dough-based products, or high-speed food manufacturing is a plus.
• Strong mathematical, measurement, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and thorough documentation.

Responsibilities

• Participate in hands-on product, process, and manufacturing training with Bertagni teams in Italy.
• Transfer Bertagni's product knowledge, processing methods, and quality standards to the St. Charles facility.
• Support operation of the pilot line for product development, testing, and customer trials.
• Assist in developing and improving pasta products, doughs, fillings, and related formulations.
• Prepare ingredients, formulations, equipment, and documentation for development and pilot trials.
• Collect and evaluate trial data, product measurements, processing parameters, sensory results, and observations.
• Support product scale-up and commercialization from pilot development to full-scale manufacturing.
• Follow food safety, GMP, allergen, sanitation, quality, and workplace safety requirements.

Job description

Founded in Bologna, Italy in 1882, Bertagni combines generations of authentic Italian pasta-making expertise with modern food manufacturing and innovation. As we expand our manufacturing presence in the United States, we are seeking a hands-on, technically curious Research & Development Technician to join our new St. Charles operation.

This position offers a unique opportunity to participate in technical training with Bertagni's experienced teams in Italy, bring that knowledge to our U.S. operation, and help develop products and processes for our growing business.

Initially, the position will focus heavily on our pilot line, new product development, customer trials, and commercialization. As full-scale manufacturing expands, the role will also provide technical quality and product support to our high-speed production lines.

Build the Future of Bertagni USA

Founded in Bologna, Italy in 1882, Bertagni combines generations of authentic Italian pasta-making expertise with modern food manufacturing and innovation. As we expand our manufacturing presence in the United States, we are seeking a hands-on, technically curious Research & Development Technician to join our new St. Charles operation.

This position offers a unique opportunity to participate in technical training with Bertagni's experienced teams in Italy, bring that knowledge to our U.S. operation, and help develop products and processes for our growing business.

Initially, the position will focus heavily on our pilot line, new product development, customer trials, and commercialization. As full-scale manufacturing expands, the role will also provide technical quality and product support to our high-speed production lines.

What You'll Do

• Participate in hands-on product, process, and manufacturing training with Bertagni teams in Italy.
• Help transfer Bertagni's established product knowledge, processing methods, and quality standards to the St. Charles facility.
• Support operation of the pilot line for product development, testing, and customer trials.
• Assist in developing and improving pasta products, doughs, fillings, and related formulations.
• Prepare ingredients, formulations, equipment, and documentation for development and pilot trials.
• Collect and evaluate trial data, product measurements, processing parameters, sensory results, and observations.
• Participate in customer product-development sessions, demonstrations, tastings, and pilot runs.
• Prepare prototypes and samples and help translate customer feedback into product and process improvements.
• Support product scale-up and commercialization from pilot development to full-scale manufacturing.
• Conduct product testing, shelf-life evaluations, and other technical assessments.
• Maintain accurate formulas, specifications, trial records, test results, and technical documentation.
• Provide technical QA and product support to commercial production lines as manufacturing expands.
• Assist with troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement of product quality, consistency, yield, and manufacturing performance.
• Follow all applicable food safety, GMP, allergen, sanitation, quality, and workplace safety requirements.

What We're Looking For

• Associate or bachelor's degree, technical training, or relevant coursework in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or a related discipline preferred.
• 1–3 years of food product development, food manufacturing, Quality Assurance, laboratory, culinary development, or related technical experience preferred.
• Experience with pasta, dough-based products, prepared foods, fillings, sauces, refrigerated products, or high-speed food manufacturing is a plus.
• Strong mathematical, measurement, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and documentation.
• Ability to accurately weigh, measure, calculate, convert, and scale formulations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including comfort interacting professionally with customers.
• Ability to work effectively in both pilot/R&D and commercial manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and related applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally for training.

The Right Fit

We're looking for someone who is curious about why a product performs the way it does and enjoys turning that understanding into better products and processes.

You’ll move between product development, pilot-line trials, customer collaboration, and commercial manufacturing—helping take products from concept through successful production.

This is an opportunity to learn from generations of Italian pasta-making expertise while helping build Bertagni USA’s product-development and manufacturing capabilities from the ground up.