Research and Development Technician

Job Title:

R D Technician Location:

Onsite in

Modesto, CaliforniaDepartment:

Quality Assurance and R DReports to:

R D SupervisorHours:

Day Shift (Monday to Friday) Day Shift Position Overview The R D Technician is a technical contributor within Thrive Freeze Drys R D and QA team. Youll play a key role in developing freeze-dried products across a variety of categories, creating and maintaining technical documentation, conducting pilot dryer and shelf-life tests, assisting customers, and partnering with multiple departments to drive quality and efficiency. This position reflects Thrive Freeze Drys commitment to excellence and our core values: Chase Big Goals, Lead with Integrity, Treat People Well, Learn & Grow, Win Together, and Do What Matters Most.

Key Responsibilities:

R D Innovation:

Assist with product development projects from concept to commercialization for freeze-dried products across ALL categories, including confectionery, fruits, vegetables, liquids, and more, ensuring high quality and nutritional integrity. Assist with both the ideation and execution of new product initiatives aligned with company strategy, market trends, and consumer insights.

Freeze-Dry Pilot and Shelf-Life Testing:

Assist in the development and optimization of freeze-dry profiles for all products using the pilot dryer. Create and maintain a shelf-life program for each product based on customer and internal needs using internal equipment.

Technical Expertise:

Work with internal teams and external clients, offering guidance on formulation, drying behavior, scale-up, and regulatory compliance. Actively engage with customers during in-person visits and plant trials to understand their needs, troubleshoot technical challenges, and ensure successful product development and commercialization.

Technical Documentation:

Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including product specifications sheets, work instructions, SOPs, formulation records, etc.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with procurement, quality, operations, and sales & marketing teams to ensure product feasibility, cost targets, manufacturability, and brand alignment.

Support Commercialization:

Provide hands-on support during scale-up of new products by assisting R D team with plant trials stepping in as needed, occasionally working early mornings, evenings, or weekends. Help troubleshoot technical issues and dryer profile adjustments. Engage directly with production teams during critical stages, ensuring timely resolution of any technical issues.

Other Duties:

At times, you may also be required to perform other duties not specifically mentioned in this job description related to the job of R D Technician.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree required in food science, chemistry, microbiology, or a related field.0-2+ years in food product development or other related job experience. Strong understanding of product development and R D. Experience with good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure quality and compliance. Proficient in Excel, Microsoft Suite, technical documentation, and food labeling software.

Demonstrated ability to communicate orally or in written form effectively with co-workers, departments, and carriers.

Ability to work flexibly, independently, and take ownership of projects.

Familiarity with

FDA/USDA

regulations, labeling, and quality systems.

Willingness to support outside regular business hours when needed.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to perform the following functions with or without accommodation:

Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling. Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and some fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 50% or more sitting, 50% or more walking, and 50% or more standing.

The job is performed under frequent temperature variations and in a food manufacturing warehouse environment. Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees. The ability to lift to 40 lbs. is required.