Principal Scientist

Job Type: Direct Hire
Employment Status: Exempt / Salaried
Salary: $100,000–$120,000 annually, depending on experience
Schedule: Full-Time
Department: Technical Services
Reports To: Technical Services Manager

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist to join their Technical Services team. This is a highly hands-on R&D leadership role with approximately 75% of the position focused on laboratory research and bench-scale experimentation .

The Principal Scientist will lead innovative product development initiatives, with a particular focus on enzyme applications within the food industry . This individual will identify new product opportunities, develop and optimize enzyme technologies and blends, support commercialization efforts, contribute to patent development, and serve as a technical resource for customers, Sales, and Marketing.

The successful candidate will also oversee and mentor a multidisciplinary team of scientists while helping drive the strategic growth and technical capabilities of the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Spend approximately 75% of the workday conducting hands-on laboratory research and bench-scale experimentation .
• Lead the development of at least three innovative product applications annually, from initial concept through commercialization.
• Identify new product application opportunities through industry research, conferences, market analysis, and customer engagement.
• Support and contribute technical data toward a minimum of two patent applications annually .
• Lead the design and conceptualization phase of new product development initiatives.
• Develop and optimize enzyme technologies and blends for food industry applications.
• Provide scientific data and technical content for promotional materials, webinars, customer presentations, and other business development initiatives.
• Deliver high-level scientific presentations to internal stakeholders, customers, and domestic/international industry conferences.
• Serve as a primary technical resource for Sales and Marketing teams.
• Lead joint R&D projects with key customers and external research partners.
• Establish and maintain relationships with food research institutes, universities, and other external technical organizations.
• Provide technical and analytical support to existing and prospective customers to support business retention and market expansion.
• Collaborate with global R&D teams to share technical knowledge and align research initiatives.
• Oversee laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, laboratory safety, organization, and implementation of 5S principles .
• Ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, food safety requirements, and the company's quality management system .
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, research documentation, data analysis, and visualizations.
• Identify and immediately *escalate* food safety concerns, quality issues, or deviations through appropriate channels.
• Assist with management of the annual Technical Services team budget.
• Prepare client call reports and monthly progress reports in accordance with departmental requirements.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development for direct reports.
• Help build and maintain a high-performing technical team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership Responsibilities

This position will provide direct leadership and oversight to a multidisciplinary team of scientists, including assistant and senior-level research personnel.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruiting and onboarding laboratory personnel.
• Training and mentoring team members.
• Setting performance expectations and providing ongoing feedback.
• Conducting performance evaluations.
• Supporting employee development and career growth.
• Managing personnel transitions and compensation-related activities.
• Optimizing departmental resources and overall team performance.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Science, or another related scientific discipline.
• 3–5+ years of progressive R&D experience , preferably within the food, biotechnology, enzyme, or related industry.
• Demonstrated experience with industrial enzyme applications , particularly within food-related applications, is highly preferred.
• Proven experience with product development and commercialization .
• Experience contributing to or leading patent filings .
• Experience leading cross-functional R&D projects.
• Previous experience supervising, mentoring, or leading scientific personnel.
• Strong understanding of GMP, SQF, food safety, and quality systems.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with analytical instrumentation such as GC, HPLC, and spectrophotometry is highly preferred.
• Advanced scientific reasoning and analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to solve complex technical challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret complex scientific literature, regulatory standards, and technical reports.
• Ability to prepare compelling technical presentations, reports, and scientific materials.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to balance significant hands-on laboratory responsibilities with strategic, administrative, and leadership duties.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate scientific documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with R&D, Sales, Marketing, customers, and external research partners.