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!

• 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

• 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 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

• Prior experience developing alcoholic beverages, functional beverages, kombucha, or THC-infused products
• 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:
• $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!

Who We Are

Our Purpose: To make quality, purpose-driven beverages 

Our Business: Our vision is to create the next-generation beverage platform, comprising distinct brands, each with its own ethos and purpose. Despite being a multi-billion dollar industry, it lacks options that cater to the next generation of drinkers who will demand more from their alcohol than a mere buzz. Disrupting this industry is a worthy, and massive opportunity. 

Our Culture: Our core values are Quality, Transparency, and Team-First. We derive much of our management policy from a book we give you upon hiring, ‘Let My People Go Surfing', by Yvon Chouinard (founder, owner, Patagonia). Our policy is to allow workers flexible hours, provided the work gets done with no negative impact on others. Our ‘let my people go surfing’ policy demands that we hire very unique individuals; those with a combination of self-motivation, self-discipline, and energy. 

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.