Food Process Scientist I/II

Voyage Foods•Oakland, CA

3d•$80,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a technical process-oriented food scientist or chemical engineer to join our R&D team. You will play a critical role in key departmental projects for current and future product categories. You will engage in research, innovation, and commercialization goals. As we are a start-up and small team, responsibilities can vary daily and will also include general operations. This is a great opportunity for an individual looking to develop in their career within a fast-paced and rapidly growing organization. This is an on-site position based in Oakland, CA. This is an exempt, individual contributor position based at our Oakland, CA HQ, reporting directly to the Director of Research and Innovation.

Requirements

3-5 years of hands-on R&D experience in food science and product development fields- chocolate, coffee, confectionery, or related experience a plus. Graduate degree in Food Science or related field a plus.
Proven track record developing and commercializing new food products, with demonstrated ownership of projects from bench to launch.
Strong expertise in food product processing fundamentals & processing effects on product quality.
Strong foundation in formulation, ingredient interactions, and food production, with working knowledge of flavor chemistry, rheology, and particle size distribution
Experience executing pilot plant trials and translating lab formulations to manufacturing scale.
Analytical mindset with ability to design experiments, interpret data, and draw actionable conclusions.
Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail in documentation and data management. Project management experience is a plus.
Strong scientific background with excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence outcomes through technical expertise.
Proficiency in Google Suite with experience with statistical or experimental design software (e.g., JMP, Minitab, or similar) a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead scalable food process design and build a deep understanding of underlying systems. Leverage this expertise to develop more effective experimental roadmaps in collaboration with the Director of Research and Innovation.
Manage and lead multiple technically complex projects: create technical plans, risk management, and mitigation plans from concept to commercialization
Design and execute rigorous R&D experiments to develop and optimize process and formulations, leveraging alternative materials and novel technologies to achieve targeted sensory and functional outcomes.
Plan and execute pilot plant and factory trials, translating bench-scale findings into robust, scalable processes and supporting successful technical transfer to production. Work closely with Operations, Capital Projects, and Maintenance teams to design processes at pilot and industrial scale.
Apply strong technical expertise in food processing systems (e.g., thermal processing, particle size reduction, and material transformations) to inform formulation and process decisions. Scope and propose new processes and optimizations that enhance Voyage’s tech platform.
Continuously refine and improve formulations and processes, integrating feedback from cross-functional partners and production insights
Document experimental work comprehensively, communicate technical findings effectively, and contribute to building robust product and process documentation. Create clear, standardized documentation for process parameters and performance targets to ensure alignment across teams.