Principal Scientist – Food & Beverage Enzymes

Principal Scientist (Enzyme Applications | Food & Biotech R&D | On-Site)

Overview

Bring cutting-edge science to market as a Principal Scientist in Technical Services, where you’ll lead hands-on bench-scale research while shaping new product applications that drive revenue growth and expand market share. This is a highly visible, on-site role blending deep laboratory work (approximately 75% of the day) with strategic innovation—identifying new application opportunities through customer engagement, market analysis, and industry conferences, and delivering strong scientific storytelling through presentations, webinars, and promotional materials. You’ll also mentor and lead a team of scientists while ensuring rigorous compliance with GMP and SQF expectations.

Required Skills

• Advanced scientific reasoning and analytical problem-solving applied to complex technical challenges
• Proven ability to execute complex laboratory experiments and bench-scale research independently under leadership direction
• Product/application development experience, from early concept through commercialization
• Experience supporting intellectual property development, including generating technical data for patent applications
• Strong technical writing and communication skills—able to interpret complex documents and deliver persuasive presentations to diverse audiences
• Cross-functional collaboration skills, especially partnering with Sales and Marketing as a technical resource
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards for documentation, data visualization, and reporting cadence
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and develop laboratory staff (including performance management)

Nice to Have Skills

• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation such as GC, HPLC, and spectrophotometry
• Specialized expertise in industrial enzyme applications
• Experience presenting at domestic and international conferences
• Background supporting customer-facing technical services and joint R&D projects
• Familiarity with 5S pillars/continuous improvement in lab operations
• Experience within food-focused applications (e.g., dairy, beverage fermentation, bakery)

Preferred Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in a scientific discipline
• 3–5+ years of progressive experience in an R&D environment, preferably within food or biotechnology
• Demonstrated success in product development, patent-related work, and leading cross-functional R&D initiatives
• Prior experience overseeing direct reports (this role includes responsibility for supervising laboratory personnel)

Other Requirements

• On-site position
• Must maintain strict adherence to GMP and SQF standards and follow corporate quality and food safety reporting procedures
• Ability to build external relationships with research institutes (e.g., university labs)
• Consistent administrative discipline (timely client call reports, monthly progress reporting, and daily lab documentation)

If you’re ready to turn enzyme science into real-world applications and lead impactful innovation from the bench to the marketplace, submit your application today.