Research and Development Specialist

Job Summary

The R&D Specialist is an entry-level position within the Research & Development (R&D) team at Tyson Foods supporting product development. This role provides hands-on technical support throughout the entire product development lifecycle-from concept through commercialization. This will include conducting experiments, data collection, entry, and analysis, as well as results reporting.

The R&D Specialist helps create product prototypes, refine existing formulations, and develop product specifications that meet regulatory, food safety, and processing requirements. This role also collaborates cross-functionally to support the business units with technical insights and solutions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support assigned Business Units with product development activities, including assisting with new product formulation and modifications to existing products to meet nutrition, cost, and consumer/customer expectations.
• Assist in managing multiple R&D projects, including cost savings, sustainability, and technical application initiatives. Responsibilities may include coordinating production trials, ingredient inventory, and developing samples or prototypes of new products. Candidates should be able to execute meat science research with precision and technical skill.
• Key responsibilities include bench top research, data collection, pilot plant testing, and scale up production at a federally inspected research facility and final commercialization at full scale production facility. This role will contribute to identifying and solving technical challenges, supporting improvements in product performance, cost efficiency, and quality.
• May take on special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned.

Education

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience in Food or Meat Science, Agriculture Business, Chemical Engineering or associated degrees
• Work Experience: 2+ years relevant and practical experience

Special/Technical Skills

• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Time Management and results oriented is critical.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong numerical skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and basic computer skills.

Communication Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills required.
• Presentation skills required.
• Must effectively communicate with cross functional business partners

• Supervisory: None
• Travel: Up to 25% travel.

Position Specific Requirements

• Applicants should either upload a resume to their application on Workday OR make sure their Career Profile in Workday is up to date and complete.
• Local candidates will be given priority.
• Must reside in the United States to be considered.
• Sponsorship is not available for this position

Additional information

All professional team members are expected to demonstrate responsible use of approved AI tools, including safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to company policies, and validating AI-generated outputs. Individual Contributors should demonstrate the ability to integrate AI into daily work, improve efficiency through AI-enabled solutions, evaluate outputs critically, and apply professional judgment when using AI.

People Leaders should demonstrate the ability to drive responsible AI adoption, enable effective use of approved solutions, identify opportunities to improve team performance through AI, and ensure accountability for the quality and accuracy of AI-supported outcomes.

Relocation Assistance Eligible: Yes

Work Shift: 1ST SHIFT (United States of America)

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Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.

We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.

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Unsolicited Assistance: Tyson Foods and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for open positions within the United States. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee or applicant tracking system at Tyson Foods or its subsidiaries, without a valid written request and search agreement approved by HR, will be considered the property of Tyson Foods. No fees will be paid if the candidate is hired due to an unsolicited referral.