R&D Technician

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now! THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING: The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. The R&D Technician supports product development and innovation through hands-on execution in the Smithfield Virginia Innovation Center – Pilot Plant. Working under direction and in close collaboration with the Prototyping and the R&D team, this role is responsible for producing products, supporting trials, preparing customer samples, and maintaining accurate documentation. This position requires a strong focus on safety, quality, and execution, with daily involvement in production activities. WHAT YOU’LL DO: The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned. Product Development & Testing Execute pilot plant trials, produce prototype products, and collect data under direction Support product evaluations and communicate basic results to the team Customer Sample Preparation Prepare, package, and ship customer samples to meet quality and presentation standards Documentation & Data Management Accurately record formulas, processes, and results using systems such as SAP, PMDM, or similar tools Maintain clear and legible documentation Pilot Plant Operations Support ingredient handling, staging, and blending processes Operate equipment safely following established procedures Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment Facility & Team Support Prepare pilot plant and workspace for customer and corporate visits Assist with basic analytical testing and daily operational needs WHAT WE’RE SEEKING: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. 2+ years relevant food manufacturing experience, preferred. Ability to follow directions and execute tasks consistently Basic Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel) Ability to accurately document data Ability to stand and work in a production environment (cold and hot) all day Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and achieve effective time management Ability to work under pressure and meet established goals and objectives Ability to travel occasionally, possibly overnight. 10% travel possible Acts with a sense of urgency & ability to meet deadlines; self-directed Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment. Strong commitment to safety and quality. OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT: Technical certification in a related field. Experience working with pilot plant or manufacturing equipment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand; sit; walk; use hands handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear Ability to stand and work in a production environment (cold and hot) all day The expected pay range for this position is $19.23 - $28.85 per hour. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here. Relocation Package Available No EEO Information Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at View phone number on click.appcast.io. At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than just our tagline; it's what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities. Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more. Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. 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