Innovation Scientist

The Task At-Hand: Great products don’t just happen -  they’re experimented on, refined, and built by curious minds willing to push boundaries.   As Innovation Scientist, you will report directly to the Innovation Manager and will support the development, testing, and advancement of new products across the Juneshine Brands portfolio. This is a hands-on, lab forward role for a mid-level innovator who loves experimentation, problem-solving, and seeing ideas move from concept to pilot and beyond.   If you enjoy a startup-style environment where experimentation, adaptability, and taking ownership are part of the everyday process - you’ll thrive in this role! Who We Are Our Company JuneShine Brands was built by people who believe you shouldn't have to choose between living well and working hard. Our founders met through a shared love of surfing, the outdoors, and chasing experiences worth having. That spirit still runs through everything we do. We are a company with a purpose beyond profit. Every brand we build exists for a reason. We believe the next generation of consumers will choose brands that reflect their values, and we intend to build exactly those brands. We hire exceptional people and get out of their way. Flexible hours, no micromanagement, and trust as the default — we take cues from Yvon Chouinard's Let My People Go Surfing, a book we give every new hire on day one. What we ask in return is simple: own your work, deliver with excellence, and never let flexibility come at someone else's expense. We value people who are hungry and humble, who take ownership without being asked, who move fast without cutting corners, and who make everyone around them better. If that sounds like you, we'd love to meet you.   JuneShine Brands is a purpose-driven organization composed of a diverse and dynamic group of individuals with varied backgrounds, passions, and beliefs. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone’s unique perspectives are valued. We seek to hire self-motivated, independent thinkers, who embrace challenging the status quo. Join us at JuneShine Brands where you’re encouraged to bring your authentic self to your craft every day. As a proud equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to ensuring fairness and equity in our hiring practices.    You must reside in the United States to be considered for this position.     This role supports multiple beverage brands within the JuneShine Brands portfolio, including alcohol and hemp-derived THC beverages. All Juneshine Brands products are intended for adults 21+.   ©2025 Juneshine Brands| www.juneshine.com | www.drinkwillies.com | www.flyingembers.com | Please enjoy responsibly. All rights reserved. country: US all locations: [San Diego, CA] commitment: Full-Time department: location: San Diego, CA team: Operations Who You Are: : Curious, creative self-starter who thrives in dynamic, collaborative environments Strong execution mindset -  owns key workstreams from concept to launch Plays a critical role in bringing new flavors, formats, and formulations to life Motivated by continuous improvement and comfortable working independently Closely aligns with cross-functional partners to incorporate feedback and drive projects forward What You'll Do: : Serve as the day-to-day owner for assigned innovation projects Translate innovation briefs into experimental design and formulation strategy Support SKU optimization and reformulation initiatives across the portfolio Coordinate shelf-life studies and formulation trials, maintaining accurate records to support data-driven recommendations Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to provide technical input and ensure smooth scale-up Present project updates, technical findings, and recommendations to support commercialization decisions, with guidance from the Innovation Manager Must Have's: : Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a related scientific field 2-4 years of experience in beverage, CPG, food & beverage R&D, or a related product development environment Hands-on experience with beverage formulation and product development, including bench-top testing and pilot trials Experience supporting or executing commercial scale-up from R&D to production Working knowledge of carbonation systems, pasteurization processes, and shelf-life testing methodologies Knowledge of food safety standards, GMPs, regulatory compliance, and nutrition labeling requirements Experience using data analysis, formulation software, or spreadsheets to manage formulas, track experiments, and interpret results Potential for up to ~20 days of travel per year (subject to change) to support third-party R&D partners, onboard new products with co-manufacturers, and assist with onboarding new manufacturing partners Nice to Have: : Prior experience developing alcoholic beverages, functional beverages, kombucha, or THC-infused products (strongly preferred) Experience working with co-packers, contract manufacturers, or external R&D partners Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot formulation, processing, or stability challenges during product development Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment Strong cross-functional collaboration skills when working with innovation, operations, quality, and marketing teams Comfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where priorities may evolve Compensation, Benefits + Perks:: Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000, per year The final offer will be based on several factors, including experience, skills, overall expertise and location   Perks + Benefits: Unlimited Paid Time Off Healthcare coverage: up to 90% company contribution for employees and 25% for dependents Voluntary vision, dental, and accidental plans 401(k) with up to 4% company match 12 weeks of paid Equal Parental Leave, $500 Baby Bonding Bucks, and a sustainable baby gift Booch, spirit, beer, and soft good perks And more!