Food Process Scientist I
UPSIDE Foods is the world's leading cultivated meat company. We’re building a new food system that moves meat forward by rethinking it from the source. By growing real meat from animal cells, we give people the choice to enjoy the meat they love without killing animals. Our work directly addresses the environmental and ethical impacts of the modern food system while supporting global food and nutrition security. It’s a vision legendary conservationist Jane Goodall called "one of the biggest ideas offering planetary hope."
Based in Emeryville, California, UPSIDE Foods has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including making the first cultivated meat to be green-lit by both the FDA and the USDA and sold in the United States. Our team has won numerous industry awards, including TIME World’s Top GreenTech Companies 2026, New York Times’ Good Tech Awards, FastCo’s Next Big Thing in Tech, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.
To date, UPSIDE Foods has raised more than $600 million in funding from a diverse group of leading U.S. and global investors, including Cargill, SoftBank, Temasek, Tyson and Whole Foods.
About the role:
The Food Process Scientist I will report to the Associate Director of Process Development and Commercialization. The Scientist will be accountable for brainstorming, planning and conducting benchtop experiments, leading to pilot plant tests followed by scale-up tests. This role will support a variety of R&D functions to develop prototypes, help conduct sensory tests, and commercialize equipment and products.
What you'll do:
- Research & development of food processes for novel food technologies
- Plan and execute experiments to optimize product and process, utilizing statistical experiment design when needed.
- Source third party solutions as per equipment and ingredients, and design proof of concept plans.
- Able to travel and execute testing at third parties.
- Lead process development projects, working with Food development/sensory teams, aligning with commercial team requirements and briefs.
- Mentor junior team members to learn engineering technical skills
Qualifications:
- MS or B.S. in Engineering with specialization in food science, food process engineering, chemical engineering or other related fields
- Prefer candidate with 2-4 years experiences both as food process or manufacturing engineer &/or product developer
- Preference will be given to candidates with Computer aided design software- i,e AutoCAD
- High self-accountability; being able to execute on individual commitments independently while also working collaboratively within a team
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving environment
- Job requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, perform tasks that involve walking up ladders, standing for extended durations, and engaging in physically demanding activities
- Passionate about applying your technical skills to making delicious food products
- Can-do attitude, full of integrity, excited to work under our Big Tent philosophy
Who you’ll work with:
- This role will be in Food R&D and will partner with other Food R&D teams such as Product Development, and Sensory,
Compensation Range: $100,000-120,000
*Pay may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge and skills.
UPSIDE Benefits!
- Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!
- 90-100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical [including HSA and FSA], dental, and vision)
- Pet insurance for your furry family members!
- Unlimited PTO
- Employee Engagement Council
- Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities
UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company-wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.