Senior Scientist - New Product Development

Altria; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Paid time off and holidays

Floating holidays

13 holidays + 2 floating holidays

401(k) matching + profit sharing

Professional development stipends

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Parental and bonding leave

Volunteer days

Job summary

Altria is seeking a Senior Scientist - New Product Development in Richmond, Virginia. The role focuses on developing and optimizing lab-scale processes, building prototypes, and driving early-stage oral nicotine concepts toward feasibility, regulatory readiness, and commercialization.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, perform analytical testing, and document learnings while adhering to safety practices for handling hazardous chemicals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer science, food science, pharmaceutical science, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with analytical testing, material characterization, and data interpretation for product or process development.
• Laboratory experience handling hazardous chemicals, including nicotine, with appropriate safety practices and controls highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize lab-scale processing approaches to translate early concepts into feasible product formats.
• Plan and execute rapid prototyping studies to build, test, and iterate oral nicotine concepts against targeted product performance attributes.
• Apply ingredient selection, controlled-release approaches, and materials processing techniques to develop product prototypes with targeted performance attributes.
• Perform analytical testing and material characterization to guide process adjustments and inform design iterations.
• Establish and sustain lab-scale equipment, workflows, and capabilities that support rapid prototyping and early feasibility assessments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to translate prototype learnings into technical recommendations and business decisions.
• Document process innovations, experimental learnings, and technical findings to support knowledge capture and IP protection.

Skills

Analytical testing

Data interpretation

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Together We Innovate. Together We Change.

Advance innovative oral nicotine products for next-generation reduced-harm solutions at a Fortune 500 company. Do you have a degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer science, food science, pharmaceutical science, or a related discipline? Do you also bring experience in product development, formulation, applied research, or food/pharmaceutical processing? If so, we want to speak with you!

We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist - New Product Development - to join Altria’s Growth Org and Front-End Innovation Technical team in Richmond, Virginia. In this role, you will develop and optimize lab-scale processes, build and evaluate prototypes, and generate technical learnings that help advance early-stage oral nicotine concepts toward feasibility, regulatory readiness, and commercialization.

What you will be doing:

• Develop and optimize lab-scale processing approaches, including material handling and fabrication techniques, to translate early concepts into feasible product formats.
• Plan and execute rapid prototyping studies to build, test, and iterate oral nicotine concepts against targeted product performance attributes.
• Apply ingredient selection, controlled-release approaches, and materials processing techniques to develop product prototypes with targeted performance attributes.
• Perform analytical testing and material characterization to guide process adjustments and inform design iterations.
• Establish and sustain lab-scale equipment, workflows, and capabilities that support rapid prototyping and early feasibility assessments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners and project teams to translate prototype learnings into technical recommendations and business decisions.
• Document process innovations, experimental learnings, and technical findings to support knowledge capture and intellectual property protection.

We want you to have:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer science, food science, pharmaceutical science, or related discipline.
• Product development, formulation, or applied research experience: BS 4+ years, MS 2+ years, or PhD 0+ years.
• Hands‑on experience with analytical testing, material characterization, and data interpretation for product or process development.
• Knowledge of food or pharmaceutical processing, formulation development, ingredient functionality, and experimental data analysis.
• Laboratory experience handling hazardous chemicals, including nicotine, with appropriate safety practices and controls highly preferred.
• Strong execution, collaboration, communication, and prioritization skills in a fast‑moving technical project environment.

The starting salary is based on but not limited to experience, knowledge, and qualifications in determining compensation decisions. The Salary Range for this position is: $91,500.00 - $132,750.00.

Why You’ll Love Building Your Career at Altria

At Altria, we believe a great career starts with feeling supported — both at work and in life. Here’s what you’ll find here:

• Work where connection and flexibility meet — enjoy the benefits of in-person collaboration three days a week (Tuesday - Thursday), while maintaining the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Our hybrid approach empowers you to stay connected, collaborate with colleagues, and manage your schedule in a way that works best for you.
• Own your time — start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, and a 37.5-hour workweek so you can recharge and live fully.
• A place where you belong — where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real.
• Get recognized for your work — annual merit increases and performance bonus.
• A future you can count on — 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing, an annual company contribution in an amount equal to 13%–17% of your base salary.
• Help with your goals — get help with student loan repayment assistance, attend a conference, or gain a new certification with professional development stipends.
• Support for what matters most — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Celebrating your milestones — paid parental and bonding leave for life’s biggest moments.
• Wellness that goes beyond work — programs that care for your whole well-being at whatever stage you are in your life.
• A culture that gives back — paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference.

At Altria, we offer more than benefits — we offer a career that fits your life, rewards your ambition, and celebrates your impact.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.