Senior R&D Food Scientist

CSG Talent; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

A global recruiting firm is seeking a Senior R&D Food Scientist to drive innovation in fresh and cooked sausage products. This role involves leading product development while ensuring regulatory compliance and product quality. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical knowledge in meat science, alongside strong leadership skills to mentor junior scientists. Candidates should have experience with clean-label formulations and optimizing manufacturing processes. This is a full-time position based in the District of Columbia offering a competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• Deep technical expertise in meat science and emulsified systems.
• Experience in product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior R&D scientists and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and development of various sausage products.
• Develop clean-label and optimized formulations.
• Troubleshoot quality and process issues in manufacturing plants.
• Ensure compliance with USDA-FSIS regulations.

Skills

Technical expertise in meat science

Seasoning functionality

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

🥩 Hiring for Meat & Protein Manufacturing Roles, Globally | Principal Consultant

The Senior R&D Food Scientist will lead the development, optimization, and commercialization of fresh and cooked sausage products across multiple platforms (pork, beef, poultry, blended proteins). This role is responsible for driving innovation while ensuring product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and cost targets are met. The position requires deep technical expertise in meat science, emulsified systems, seasoning functionality, and thermal processing, along with strong cross‑functional leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and development of fresh, smoked, cooked, and fermented sausage products
• Develop clean‑label, reduced sodium, reduced fat, and cost‑optimized formulations
• Translate consumer insights and market trends into viable product concepts
• Optimize texture, flavor, yield, shelf life, and appearance
• Evaluate ingredients including proteins, binders, phosphates, cultures, and spice systems
• Lead bench, pilot, and plant‑scale trials
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to optimize grinding, mixing, stuffing, smoking, and cooking processes
• Support commercialization and first production runs
• Troubleshoot quality and process issues in manufacturing plants
• Ensure compliance with USDA‑FSIS regulations, labeling requirements, and specifications
• Support HACCP, GMPs, and food safety initiatives
• Create and maintain product specifications and technical documentation
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, QA, and Operations
• Mentor junior R&D scientists and technicians
• Manage external vendors including spice houses, ingredient suppliers, and co‑manufacturers
• Lead cost‑reduction and value‑engineering initiatives
• Evaluate alternative ingredients and suppliers
• Support margin improvement and continuous improvement programs

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Manufacturing

Industries

Meat Products Manufacturing

Location: District of Columbia, United States

Salary range: $130,000.00‑$216,000.00