Job Location: Hershey, PA
The Staff Scientist, R&D - Fried Snacks leads complex product and process development initiatives across tortilla chips, potato chips, and other fried salty snack platforms. This role serves as an advanced technical expert in dough systems, masa processing, potato processing, extrusion for expanded snacks, frying systems, oil chemistry, seasoning application, and shelf-life performance.
The Staff Scientist works independently to design experiments, lead commercialization, identify and solve manufacturing challenges, and drive long-term capability development. The role collaborates extensively with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Sensory to deliver innovation, renovation, and productivity projects across multiple snack platforms.
The ideal candidate has deep hands-on expertise in fried snacks, strong cross-functional influence, and the ability to mentor junior scientists while advancing Hershey's salty snack technology roadmap.
This role reports to Sr. Manager, Popcorn and Kid Snacking and is based at Hershey Technical Center.
Technical Expertise• Deep understanding of fried snack processing, including:
- Tortilla chips: masa systems, nixtamalized corn, dough hydration, sheeting, baking/drying, frying.
- Potato chips: potato chemistry, slicing, blanching (if used), frying control, oil quality, color management.
- Additional fried snacks: extruded snacks, pellet expansion, multi-step frying, seasoning systems
• Expertise in frying science: heat transfer, moisture loss, oil degradation, filtration, turnover, oxidation, acrylamide control.
• Proficiency in seasoning adhesion, application systems, and flavor delivery for fried snacks.
• Experience with statistical analysis, DOE design, and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory, food safety, and quality practices relevant to frying operations.
Leadership & Collaboration- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional technical programs independently.
- Ability to influence decision-making across teams including Operations, Engineering, Marketing, and Procurement.
- Strong communication skills in both technical documentation and cross-functional presentations.
- Experience mentoring junior staff is strongly preferred.
Soft Skills & Behaviors- Strong analytical thinker with advanced problem-solving ability.
- Curiosity-driven, innovative, and comfortable with ambiguity.
- Strong time-management and project-prioritization skills.
- Collaborative and able to work across multiple facilities and stakeholders.
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:- BS, MS, or PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related with 7-10+ years of experience, preferably including tortilla chips, potato chips, fried snacks, or related categories.
- Strong track record of successful commercialization from benchtop through plant start-up.
- Experience designing and executing pilot and plant trials required.
- Experience with sensory evaluation and consumer learning preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical problem solving in manufacturing environments.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Ability to work in lab, pilot plant, and production environments.
- Travel 15-30% (plant trials, supplier visits, testing at multiple facilities).
- Ability to lift materials up to ~25 lbs for pilot testing work.
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