SR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SCIENTIST

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.; Chico (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

10% 401(k) match

Learning and development opportunities

Onsite medical clinic

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Mental health benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, CA is seeking a Sr New Product Development Scientist to lead beverage development from concept through scale up and market readiness, with ownership of Beyond Beer and nontraditional beverage platforms.

This role partners with R&D analytical scientists, Sensory Scientists, Innovation, QA, Regulatory, Operations, Insights and Innovation, and Supply Chain to translate product concepts into commercially viable solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a scientific discipline (Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Brewing/Fermentation Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field).
• 7 years of product development experience commercializing beverage products, including scale up, launch preparation, and post launch technical support.
• Strong practical knowledge of TTB and FDA beverage regulations, including familiarity with nutrition labeling requirements and regulatory documentation.
• Experience defining product and process specifications to support manufacturing consistency and quality.
• Experience using Genesis R&D, ESHA, or comparable formulation, ingredient, and nutrition labeling software.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional projects involving R&D, QA, Regulatory, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Working understanding of analytical testing approaches and ability to collaborate effectively with laboratory focused R&D staff.
• Project management capabilities, including scope definition, timeline management, risk identification, and stakeholder coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead beverage development and commercialization projects, including formulation refinement, process definition, scale up support, and launch readiness.
• Serve as technical owner for Beyond Beer and nontraditional beverage initiatives, working closely with the Insights and Innovation teams to translate concepts into scalable products.
• Source and qualify raw materials and flavors in partnership with Supply Chain, ensuring availability, cost alignment, and technical suitability for commercialization.
• Own and maintain the flavor and ingredient database, ensuring accurate documentation, specifications, regulatory status, and readiness for development and scale‑up.
• Support nutrition labeling, ingredient statements, and regulatory documentation in collaboration with QA, R&D, Compliance, and Innovation partners.
• Collaborate with R&D analytical staff to define testing needs, interpret results, and apply data to formulation and process decisions.
• Ensure ingredient and formulation readiness for commercialization by defining clear specifications, use parameters, and process requirements prior to pilot and production trials.
• Apply working knowledge of TTB and FDA regulations to ensure formulations, processes, and documentation meet regulatory requirements.
• Communicate technical risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to cross functional stakeholders while supporting GMP compliance and development readiness.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical testing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree in a scientific discipline

Tools

Genesis R&D

ESHA

Job description

Get to Know Us

Ken Grossman started Sierra Nevada in 1980 with a hand-built brewhouse and the odds stacked against him. That passion forever changed the course of American craft brewing and launched a beer revolution that's in full force today. Turns out, good beer can do a lot of good, and Sierra Nevada became a cornerstone for both its innovation and its care for the Earth and its people. We’re committed to advancing a culture of inclusion and believe diversity in all its forms makes us stronger. We keep pushing boundaries, whether that’s in the brewhouse, with sustainability, or in the great outdoors.

Get to Know This Role

The Sr New Product Development Scientist is an individual contributor who leads beverage development and commercialization projects from concept through scale up and market readiness. The role applies strong technical judgment, regulatory expertise, and cross functional collaboration to deliver compliant, scalable products, with particular ownership of Beyond Beer and nontraditional beverage platforms. This position partners closely with R&D analytical scientists, Sensory Scientists, Innovation, QA, Regulatory, Operations, Insights and Innovation, and Supply Chain to translate product concepts into commercially viable solutions.

What's In It For You

We’re committed to our employees and work hard to prove it.

• We’re offering $105,299 to $162,687 base compensation for this role.
• This role may be eligible for our bonus program – inquire with our Talent Acquisition Partner for additional details.
• 10% company match on 401(k) contributions
• providing learning and development opportunities
• fostering your safety at work with ongoing trainings, state-of-the-art equipment, and preventative care
• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• an onsite medical clinic
• mental health and well-being benefits including paid sick leave
• culture of work-life balance and always encourage employees to use and enjoy their paid time off

What You Will Do

• Lead beverage development and commercialization projects, including formulation refinement, process definition, scale up support, and launch readiness.
• Serve as technical owner for Beyond Beer and nontraditional beverage initiatives, working closely with the Insights and Innovation teams to translate concepts into scalable products.
• Source and qualify raw materials and flavors in partnership with Supply Chain, ensuring availability, cost alignment, and technical suitability for commercialization.
• Own and maintain the flavor and ingredient database, ensuring accurate documentation, specifications, regulatory status, and readiness for development and scale‑up.
• Support nutrition labeling, ingredient statements, and regulatory documentation in collaboration with QA, R&D, Compliance, and Innovation partners.
• Collaborate with R&D analytical staff to define testing needs, interpret results, and apply data to formulation and process decisions.
• Ensure ingredient and formulation readiness for commercialization by defining clear specifications, use parameters, and process requirements prior to pilot and production trials.
• Apply working knowledge of TTB and FDA regulations to ensure formulations, processes, and documentation meet regulatory requirements.
• Communicate technical risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to cross functional stakeholders while supporting GMP compliance and development readiness.

• Bachelor's Degree or Master’s degree in a scientific discipline (Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Brewing/Fermentation Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field). required
• 7 years of product development experience commercializing beverage products, including scale up, launch preparation, and post launch technical support. required
• Strong practical knowledge of TTB and FDA beverage regulations, including familiarity with nutrition labeling requirements and regulatory documentation.
• Experience defining product and process specifications to support manufacturing consistency and quality.
• Experience using Genesis R&D, ESHA, or comparable formulation, ingredient, and nutrition labeling software.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional projects involving R&D, QA, Regulatory, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Working understanding of analytical testing approaches and ability to collaborate effectively with laboratory focused R&D staff.
• Project management capabilities, including scope definition, timeline management, risk identification, and stakeholder coordination.

Additional Requirements to Consider Before Applying

• You must be at least 21 years of age to work for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
• Selected candidate must pass a pre-employment, post offer background check.
• Position is based out of our Chico, CA brewery

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer