Food Scientist

Our Client Pueo is looking for a Food Scientist on-site in Natick, MA. Position Purpose The Food Scientist provides senior food technology support to the Combat Feeding Division (CFD) at DEVCOM Soldier Center, working with the Armed Forces Recipe Service (AFRS). The Scientist develops, updates, and tests standardized recipes addressing categories specified by the Services, conducts nutrient analysis using ESHA Genesis SQL, photographs recipes, and contributes to Guideline Cards and culinary training content posted on the military nutrition environment website. The role applies nutritionally sound recipe and menu development practices to sustain and improve the AFRS recipe database used across all U.S. military Services. Job Duties: Assist the Government client and Task Lead with execution of AFRS recipe development, nutrient analysis, and culinary documentation tasks. Specific responsibilities include: Recipe Development and Testing Research source recipes, document formulation rationale, and develop standardized recipes for AFRS across service-defined recipe categories. Prepare test sheets, conduct lab trials, and document outcomes. Write and finalize recipes and supporting documentation. Review peer-developed recipes for editorial quality and lab validation accuracy. Conduct nutrient analysis using ESHA Genesis SQL or equivalent nutritional software. Apply nutrition science and food service principles to sustain data quality across the AFRS database. Photography and Visual Documentation Photograph all recipes following established AFRS standards. Maintain and improve best practices for recipe photography. Ensure all recipe photos are properly labeled, stored, and posted. Guideline Cards and Training Content Develop and edit Guideline Cards supporting AFRS and Go for Green content. Contribute to culinary training materials and toolkits on the military nutrition environment website. Data Management and Customer Support Maintain all test data, recipes, guideline cards, training materials, and project artifacts in MS Teams and SharePoint. Support ongoing recipe updates and new recipe development initiatives. Respond to customer requests and workload surges with minimal oversight.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Technical Knowledge Working knowledge of nutritionally sound recipe and menu development. Familiarity with the Armed Forces Recipe Service (AFRS) and the Go for Green program. Understanding of nutrient analysis principles using ESHA Genesis or equivalent software. Knowledge of good food service practices, food safety, and sanitation. Familiarity with Military commodities and operational ration considerations is a plus. Technical Skills Recipe and menu development with emphasis on nutritionally sound, plant-forward, and operational foods. Food photography for publication and documentation purposes. Nutrient analysis using ESHA Genesis SQL or equivalent. Recipe scaling, ingredient substitution, and reformulation. Lab trial planning, test sheet preparation, and outcome documentation. Professional Skills Strong written and verbal communication; ability to write recipes, guideline cards, and training content for diverse audiences. Highly organized; able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word. Effective collaborator across CFD, J6-equivalent data teams, and Service stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food and Nutrition, Culinary Nutrition, Food Science, or a related field from an accredited institution. 2 to 4 years of professional experience in food technology, recipe development, or food science. Recent / Relevant (within last 3 years) Recipe and menu development with emphasis on nutritionally sound foods (required). Nutrient analysis using ESHA Genesis SQL or equivalent software (preferred). Food photography for publication or institutional documentation. Writing standardized recipes and culinary documentation for non-expert end users. Experience with Military commodities, Armed Forces Recipe Service (AFRS), or Go for Green content is a plus.

CERTIFICATION

Preferred ServSafe Food Safety and Sanitation certification (preferred; can be obtained within 90 days of hire). Must be a U.S. Citizen Base Access U.S. person eligible for unescorted access to a U.S. Army installation. Must complete AT Level I awareness training within 30 days of start. Must complete AT Level I awareness training within 30 days of start. Travel Occasional CONUS travel, up to 25%.

SYSTEMS AND TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENT

NUTRITION AND RECIPE SOFTWARE

Technologies ESHA Genesis SQL (primary nutrient analysis platform) NDS-R or Food Processor (acceptable alternatives)

DOCUMENTATION AND COLLABORATION

Technologies Microsoft Teams Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

PHOTOGRAPHY AND MEDIA

Technologies DSLR or mirrorless camera systems for food photography AFRS photo capture standards and posting workflow Image storage and labeling per AFRS conventions

PROGRAM CONTENT PLATFORMS

Technologies Military nutrition environment website (AFRS and Go for Green content) Guideline Cards content system Culinary training toolkits

FACILITY ENVIRONMENT

Technologies DEVCOM SC Natick test kitchen and food labs Combat Feeding Division shared environments (MS Teams / SharePoint) #J-18808-Ljbffr Helios HR