Job Title: R&D Technologist

Position Location: Lancaster, PA
Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000 

Are you a hands-on R&D professional who loves bringing new food products to life? Kettle & Fire is hiring a Research and Development Technologist to support new product development, cost optimization, and commercialization projects directly from our manufacturing facilities, with a focus on thermally processed low acid foods. This is a full-time, exempt role reporting to the Sr. Director, R&D Processing, partnering closely with Quality Control, Warehouse, and Production to ensure R&D work is efficient, cost-effective, and meets best-in-class standards.

Company and Benefits

Who We Are

At Kettle & Fire, we are driven by a mission to create products that heal rather than harm, supporting both our consumers’ health and a healthy food system. Our culture is built on a foundation of core values that guide our work and define our team's identity. We push the boundaries of what's possible, embracing challenges with a growth mindset. We value radical candor and transparency, prioritize our customers relentlessly, and own our responsibilities unequivocally. We focus intently on mission-critical tasks and execute with high-tempo precision. Our team’s success is predicated on each member’s commitment to collective goals, demanding not only individual excellence but a harmonious effort to excel as one cohesive unit. If you thrive in an environment that values high performance and flexible, results-oriented outcomes, you might just be the A-player we’re looking for.

What We Offer:

• Vacation & Holidays: Three weeks of paid vacation each calendar year + 12 paid holidays
• Health insurance: Medical, dental, and vision options
• Sparks Benefits: Nutrition, Fitness, and Education allowance/resources
• Free product: Team members get free product for personal use

What You’ll Own:

• Support and lead projects related to new product development, cost optimization, and quality improvement
• Manage plant trials with Operations—ensuring trial setup, data/sample collection, and timely trial reports
• Participate in pre- and post-trial meetings, finished product evaluations, and shelf-life testing
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality
• Troubleshoot product/processing issues with R&D and Manufacturing Operations to find timely, effective solutions
• Collect, analyze, and interpret project data, maintain detailed records, and prepare reports for cross-functional teams
• Use statistical methods/software tools to analyze experimental results and optimize processes
• Maintain the R&D pilot plant and lab, including equipment maintenance and inventory, while adhering to safety and regulatory standards
• Build strong partnerships and communicate progress/results with cross-functional teams and relevant regulatory bodies
• Ensure compliance with company policies and food safety standards including GMP, HACCP, and other applicable requirements

What Will Make You Successful in This Role

• B.S. degree in Food Science, Science, or Engineering
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role in the food manufacturing industry
• Strong understanding of R&D processes and experience delivering projects on time
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt quickly to shifting priorities
• Independent thinker—able to develop hypotheses and execute analysis plans
• Strong documentation and data analysis capability
• Excellent organization, problem-solving, and continuous improvement mindset
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration

If you’re excited to develop and commercialize products from the plant floor—while improving processes, optimizing costs, and partnering cross-functionally—we’d love to hear from you.  

R&D Technologist_KettleWorks_Kettle&Fire

Kettle & Fire is an equal opportunity employer, embracing diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on any protected status. Add if you are posting and want to post if they need accommodations in the posting process.