Sr. R&D Scientist

E.A. Sween is a distinguished third-generation family-owned and professionally managed organization that has been dedicated to passionately feeding millions daily with high-quality food since 1955. With a focus on strategic growth and a commitment to excellence, E.A. Sween has established itself as a leader in the food industry, particularly in ready-to-eat foods, sandwiches, wraps, and handheld meals. The company prides itself on a welcoming, respectful, and rewarding culture where employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. The work environment fosters a sense of belonging where team members are not only valued for their professional contributions but also for their individuality. E.A. Sween’s culture emphasizes respect, diversity, safety, and continuous improvement, creating an environment where employees thrive and contribute to the organization’s ongoing success.

The Senior R&D Scientist role at E.A. Sween is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to lead product development projects from concept through commercialization. This position is critical to the company’s innovation pipeline and success in delivering consumer-preferred food products with clear business value. The role requires a blend of culinary creativity, strong food science knowledge, and practical manufacturing experience to develop and scale new products effectively. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with ready-to-eat foods, including sandwiches and wraps, and a strong foundation in food science principles such as flavor, texture, moisture migration, shelf life, and food safety. This position is targeted between $115,000 and $120,000 annually, with a pay range from $86,940 to $130,522, and includes eligibility for up to a 5% incentive bonus based on performance and start date.

As a Senior R&D Scientist, you will be responsible for translating culinary concepts into scalable, commercially viable products that meet consumer needs, cost targets, and operational feasibility. You will lead experiments, analyze data, and provide technical recommendations to drive innovation, product renovations, cost savings, and quality improvements. This role involves developing detailed product formulas, specifications, processing instructions, and technical documentation, as well as leading prototype development, plant trials, and first production runs. Mentoring junior team members and providing technical expertise during customer presentations and cross-functional meetings will be key aspects of your responsibilities.

This role requires a strong understanding of ingredient functionality, food safety standards, sensory evaluation techniques, and manufacturing scale-up processes. You will work in multiple environments including office, laboratory, and production settings, sometimes in chilled environments and with physical tasks such as lifting and sensory evaluation. Travel up to 25% may be required to support plant trials and customer engagements. Joining E.A. Sween means committing to the company’s values, including valuing people most of all, committing to safety, investing in personal and company growth, making thoughtful decisions, encouraging open communication, and delivering exceptional customer experiences while enjoying your work.