CloudKitchens

Culinary R&D Associate

CloudKitchens$70K — $110K *
Food & Beverages
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 2+ years culinary experience, with at least 4 years in recipe development and culinary R&D.
  • Diverse knowledge of various cuisine types and strong culinary skills.
  • Strong systems thinking and ability to design food components rather than just dishes.
  • Experience in high-speed recipe development without compromising quality.
  • Methodical approach to recipe development with rigorous organization and defined testing requirements.
  • Ability to identify operational improvements and translate feedback into actionable insights.
  • Detail-oriented in documenting processes to ensure production-ready outcomes.

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute a culinary roadmap for new and core brands aligned with long-term business goals.
  • Lead the research and development pipeline for both new and existing brands.
  • Own the recipe pipeline from development through production readiness and scaling.
  • Develop and implement a limited-time offering (LTO) strategy focused on innovation and high-volume constraints.
  • Research and collaborate with suppliers to enhance ingredient quality while managing costs.
  • Build prep task libraries and production plans using PMIX models for operational efficiency.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams for flawless execution of new product launches.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance options including HSA.
  • Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term).
  • Voluntary insurance options for accidents, critical illnesses, and hospital indemnity.
  • 401(k) plan with company contributions.
  • Discretionary vacation days and 8 paid holidays per year.
  • Paid sick time and bereavement leave.
  • Paid parental leave and health savings accounts (HSA).
Full Job Description
Role Overview

You're the culinary engine behind everything we build - new brands, core brands, and everything in between. You translate market opportunities and brand briefs into real food: the component systems, recipes, and operational playbooks that make our brands cook at scale. This isn't just an R&D role - you're helping define the culinary roadmap for a business with ambitions of X+locations, household-name brands, and the gold standard in digital-first dining. You'll own the full pipeline from first sketch to production-ready, and launch execution.

What you'll do
  • Define and execute a cohesive culinary roadmap - new brands, core brands, and LTO strategy - aligned with our long-term goals: X+ locations, highly profitable, the gold standard in digital-first
  • Lead the R&D pipeline for both new and core brands
  • Own the full recipe pipeline: menu outline  component architecture  recipe parametrics  testing  scaling  kitchen ready
  • Develop and execute an LTO strategy that balances culinary innovation with the realities of small, extremely high-volume footprints
  • Develop, test, and iterate recipes from base testing through production-scale validation (COGS + labor); parameterize and certify for robotic systems
  • Build prep task libraries, order guides, and weekly production plans from PMIX models
  • Research supplier opportunities to reduce costs and improve ingredient quality
  • Build and maintain the component library - identify cross-brand reuse opportunities to maximize efficiency
  • Collaborate with Ops to establish and enforce elite standards for prep, presentation, and safety (HACCP)
  • Partner with Brand Manager, Designer, Ops, and Tech to ensure new launches are executed flawlessly in every kitchen


What we are looking for
  • 2 years culinary experience, with at least 4 years in a recipe development and culinary R&D.
  • Strong and diverse knowledge of different cuisine types - you can crank out a badass smash burger and turn around and dish out a green curry that feels like sitting on the streets of Bangkok.
  • Strong systems thinking - you design components, not just dishes
  • Experience working at speed: you can develop, test, and iterate fast without sacrificing quality
  • Methodical recipe developer: you build a quarterly roadmap and translate into weekly sprint schedules, stay rigorously organized, and test with intention - only running tests that matter under requirements that are clearly defined upfront so nothing is wasted.
  • Can put on a consultant hat, go into kitchen operations, and/or receive ratings feedback, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and translate those insights into the team's roadmap.
  • You gather data continuously throughout the process to capture every necessary output, and you document with precision and detail so the final recipe lands production-ready, the first time
  • Passion for building something new, not just executing someone else's playbook


What else you need to know

Our work environment is fast-paced and dynamic, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and fulfilling work. We believe that a stimulating and enjoyable workplace is key to driving innovation and achieving excellence. At Lab37 Robotics, every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of food production, and we are committed to supporting our employees' growth and success.

Join us at Lab37 Robotics and be a part of a forward-thinking company that's transforming the way the world approaches food production.

The base salary range for this role is $70,000 - $110,000 per year.

Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards and an annual performance-based bonus.

Benefits Summary (USA Full-Time Exempt Employees):
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options).
  • Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term).
  • Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity.
  • Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children.
  • Pet insurance discount.
  • 401(k).
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
  • Time Off policies:
    • Discretionary vacation days
    • 8 paid holidays per year
    • Paid sick time
    • Paid Bereavement leave
    • Paid Parental Leave

Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.

Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?

#LI-Onsite

About CloudKitchens

CloudKitchens is a technology company that provides a platform for restaurants to operate delivery-only kitchens. The company's platform allows restaurants to expand their delivery reach without the need for additional physical locations, while also providing real-time data and analytics to optimize operations. CloudKitchens was founded in 2016 by Travis Kalanick, the co-founder of Uber, and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Learn more about CloudKitchens
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2016

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