Food Product Developer R&D

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Beverage R&D Contractor Job Description

Join our innovative R&D team as a contractor focused on the creation and optimization of beverages for cafés and alternate business channels globally. We are dedicated to delivering breakthrough beverage innovations that create meaningful moments for our customers. Be a part of our team and help shape amazing experiences with us.

• Deliver legendary service that meets and exceeds all customers’ expectations.
• Adhere to values, beliefs, and principles during good and challenging times.
• Maintain composure and professionalism in tough situations.
• Take personal responsibility for continuous learning of new knowledge and skills.
• Function successfully during times of uncertainty and changing priorities.
• Make timely and quality decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
• Build effective relationships inside and outside the organization.
• Achieve goals and deliver results.
• Plan, prepare, and execute product evaluations and tastings.
• Adapt to changing priorities with agility.
• Lead projects for cost optimization and product development.
• Utilize data and insights to create culinary concepts into food and beverage products.
• Manage low complexity manufacturing trials under supervision.
• Create product specifications and design workplans with guidance.
• Apply basic understanding of trends and customer insights to develop relevant products.
• Contribute to decision-making by using data and information from multiple sources.
• Solve problems using logic and learnings, and navigate channels cross-functionally.
• Provide clear written and oral communication to convey ideas and project updates.
• Collaborate, influence, and support within the team and cross-functional peers.

• Degree in food science or related field.
• 1-2 years of experience in the food industry.
• Background in sensory, experimental design, statistics, and consumer research.
• Knowledge of food and beverage technology, ingredient functionalities, chemistry, or engineering.
• Experience with the development and scale-up of food and beverage products.
• Understanding of food quality control, safety, and microbiology.
• Proficiency in Excel and standard Microsoft Suite.
• Basic knowledge of lab equipment (PH, solids, standard equipment).
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

• CoOp or internship experience in the food industry is a plus.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work in a matrixed environment.
• Strong attention to detail and experience with documentation handling.

This role is based onsite in Seattle, working five days a week in a highly collaborative team environment. The team culture is highly collaborative, offering a medium to high level of interaction with internal partners and cross-functional peers. The position offers exciting work with local partnerships, meaningful projects, and an unbeatable work-life balance.

This is a Contract position based out of Seattle, WA.

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $33.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Seattle,WA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.