Lead Food R&D Scientist

The Role:  

We are looking for a Lead Food Scientist who will serve as a technical leader within our R&D team, responsible for driving innovation, overseeing complex development pipelines, and mentoring scientists. This role blends ingredient functionality, creative viewpoint on product development, strategic oversight, and ensuring our product portfolio aligns with company goals and operational feasibility. The Lead Food Scientist is instrumental in shaping the future of our food innovation efforts, with a focus on alternative protein and mycelium-based food systems.

Responsibilities: 

• Technical Leadership & Strategy: Lead multi-phase R&D initiatives from concept through commercialization, defining technical & operational feasibility across a portfolio of projects.
• Identify and prioritize high-impact innovation opportunities within current manufacturing operations that are margin accretive. Collaborate with operations, quality, marketing, sales, and engineering to define short and long term innovation opportunities based on product & consumer trends
• Maintain/Oversee current product formula certifications and any required ingredient/sourcing changes. Ensure products meet and exceed quality standards, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols.
• Support and optimize the base business by troubleshooting and problem-solving ongoing production needs or asks by working with internal and external partners
• Be the technical lead and subject matter expert on Meati products for sales & customer meetings; providing versatility of cooking, marinating, or adding products into recipes or as in-home use
• Guide teams through complex scale-up efforts, ensuring lab-to-plant transitions retain product integrity and meet operational constraints.
• Regulatory and Quality Alignment: Drive NFP development with third parties and working within Meati’s programs that align with quality standards. Drive FOP and BOP claims through partnership between marketing & quality leaders.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Use advanced analytics, sensory science, and consumer research to drive product refinements and validate product performance.

More About You:

• You crave curiosity and challenging the status quo
• You have experience working in an environment that is fast-paced, pivots and finds alternative paths within project scope
• You enjoy being in a dynamic and creative role

Qualifications:  

• Bachelors or Master’s in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in food product development, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership role.
• Deep expertise in formulation science, ingredient functionality, and novel food technologies—experience with alternative proteins strongly preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP, FDA/USDA regulations, and industry standards.
• Passion for sustainability, nutrition, and transforming the future of food.

**Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Meati™ we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.** 

Compensation:  
The base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $158,000 annually! Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.