Research and Development Specialist

Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for an experienced food product development professional to join our team as a research & development specialist, managing our food piloting laboratory and supporting the scale-up of our nutritional products. In this hands-on role, you will run benchtop prototypes, pilot-scale trials, and production scale-up for products like nutrition bars and powdered drink mixes. You will partner with formulation, manufacturing, quality, and analytical labs to solve processing challenges and carry products from first prototype to commercial production. Our ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with sound independent judgment who enjoys being the go-to technical resource and keeping a safe, well-organized lab.
What You Will Do as a USANA Research & Development Specialist
Manage daily operations of the food piloting laboratory, including equipment, inventory, scheduling, and safety, while finding practical ways to improve efficiency
Prepare and evaluate benchtop prototypes and run pilot-scale trials for nutrition bars and powdered beverages, with accurate execution and documentation
Advise formulation scientists on ingredient functionality, processing, texture, and sensory attributes to improve product performance
Support manufacturing scale-up by working with plant teams to evaluate equipment, set processing parameters, and troubleshoot the move to commercial production
Evaluate manufacturability and run data-driven trials to recommend formulation and process fixes for issues like mixing, flowability, forming, extrusion, moisture, and consistency
Work with analytical labs and quality to coordinate testing, interpret results, and investigate technical issues
Keep accurate records of methods, processing parameters, and trial results, and make sure lab activities meet safety, food quality, and regulatory requirements
Assist with flavor development and sensory optimization for other formats, including chewable and pressed tablets, as needed
Background and Skills You Will Need
5+ years of relevant experience in research and development, product development, or manufacturing
3+ years in bar processing and manufacturing (mixing, binding, forming, extrusion or slab forming, cutting, and packaging) and/or powder processing and manufacturing (blending, flowability, segregation, moisture control, and filling)
Working knowledge of food ingredients, processing technologies, and manufacturing equipment
Strong hands-on problem-solving skills and independent judgment
Ability to collaborate effectively with formulation, manufacturing, quality, and analytical testing labs
What Will Make You Standout
Experience with flavor development or sensory evaluation, including chewable and pressed tablets
Experience managing a pilot plant or food laboratory
Who We Are
Since 1992, USANA has put science first with our focus on in-house research and manufacturing based in Salt Lake City, Utah to drive the creation of supplements that give your body the exact nutrition it needs to thrive. It’s why millions across the globe choose USANA as the nutritional provider for themselves and their loved ones. Today we are a billion-dollar company, thanks in part to more than 1,700 employees based around the world.
Our Culture
Excellence, Health, Integrity, and Community are core to our business. It is our commitment to always strive to be open-minded listeners, hold ourselves and others ac