Experienced Cook | Food R&D & Product Development

Constellation Formulations is an innovative food science company located in San Diego, California, specializing in the research and development of advanced food products. The company prides itself on developing a wide range of consumer products including gummies, beverages, drink powders, confectionery products, supplements, and functional foods for various brands and manufacturers across the United States. Constellation Formulations combines culinary expertise with food science innovation to bridge the gap between traditional culinary practices and modern product development. This approach makes it an ideal environment for culinary professionals seeking to expand their careers beyond the restaurant kitchen into the dynamic field of food R&D and commercial product development.

Currently, Constellation Formulations is offering a part-time position for an experienced cook who is curious about applying their culinary skills in a new and exciting context. The position starts with approximately 15 to 25 hours per week primarily during weekday daytime hours and offers an hourly wage between $24 and $28, depending on experience. There is a clear pathway for growth, with the opportunity to transition into a full-time role as the candidate develops more technical expertise and independence in their work.

The role focuses heavily on hands-on culinary work combined with scientific precision and an eagerness to learn food science. Candidates with professional experience in busy restaurant kitchens will find many of their core skills—such as maintaining mise en place, working efficiently during high-pressure periods, and precise recipe execution—are highly transferable and valued. However, this is not a typical restaurant position nor a standard laboratory technician role. It uniquely blends culinary arts with food product development, allowing the successful candidate to explore the intersection of flavor, texture, ingredient functionality, and product consistency within a controlled R&D environment.

In this role, the candidate will directly contribute to the creation and refinement of novel food products by preparing prototypes, conducting critical sensory evaluations, and experimenting with various flavor profiles and ingredient combinations. They will be responsible for weighing and preparing ingredients with exactitude, following detailed formulas, systematically recording experimental data, and maintaining an organized and clean workspace. This position also involves learning how to use analytical equipment and supporting the scale-up of prototypes toward commercial manufacturing.

What sets this position apart is the opportunity to develop professional growth not only in culinary skills but also in food science knowledge, formulation expertise, and product development capabilities. Candidates will receive hands-on training in multiple facets of food R&D including flavor balancing, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, troubleshooting, and commercial production processes. This training facilitates a career transition from line cook to food scientist or formulation specialist without the need for prior formal education in food science.

Constellation Formulations values creativity, keen sensory abilities, and a disciplined approach to documentation. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food and an inquisitive mindset that seeks to understand why certain ingredients or combinations work as they do. They should also have the discipline to accurately document all formulation changes to ensure reproducible results. The environment is calm, professional, and climate controlled, offering a welcome change from the hectic pace and heat of traditional restaurant kitchens. This makes the role attractive to culinary professionals looking to leverage their skills in a less stressful, more technical setting that promotes growth and long-term career potential.

The successful candidate will join a supportive team focused on innovation, quality, and continuous learning. Constellation Formulations encourages candidates to bring their culinary intuition while embracing the rigor and precision required in product development. This is a unique opportunity for those who want to take their culinary career further by gaining valuable food science experience and contributing to the creation of cutting-edge products that reach consumers nationwide.