What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research And Development Associate position at Sol-ti?
Career Basics
Location: San Diego, CA
Industry Type: Manufacturer
Category: Operations
Beverages: SuperFood Beverages, Wellness Shots, Functional Beverages
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports to: Innovation and Quality Assurance Manager
# of Direct Reports: 0
For this position, candidate must reside in San Diego and be seeking a full-time on site position.
Position Summary
Sol-ti is in search of an individual who will add value to our growing company with focused high energy and a positive attitude. The Research and Development Associate will support Sol-ti by driving innovation, improving products and processes, and providing data-driven insights that enhance new and existing products.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food science, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Career Responsibilities
- Assist in formulating and testing new beverage products, flavors, and ingredient combinations.
- Improve existing manufacturing processes to enhance quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
- Conduct sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and stability testing to ensure product consistency.
- Identify and evaluate new ingredients, natural preservatives, and nutritional enhancements.
- Ensure formulations and labeling meet FDA, USDA, and other relevant food safety regulations.
- Record, analyze, and report experimental data to support decision-making.
- Assist in scaling up new formulations from lab trials to full-scale production.
- Work closely with production, quality assurance, and marketing teams to align R&D efforts with business goals.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, manage ingredient inventory, and follow safety protocols.
- Explore eco-friendly packaging, clean-label trends, and healthier formulations to meet consumer demand.
Career Requirements/What we ask of you:
- Comply with all Plant, State, and Federal OSHA, EPA, FDA, HACCP, and SQF regulations.
- Knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and beverage formulation.
- 1–3 years of experience in R&D, product development, or quality control within the beverage or food industry.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to optimize formulations and troubleshoot issues.
- Experience with sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and stability analysis.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, formulation software, or laboratory data management systems.
What we offer you:comme
- $70,000-$80,000 annually based on experience
- Employee Equity Incentive Plan
- Performance-based bonuses
- Health Insurance programs with industry leading contributions towards your premium
- Referral Programs and free access to our functional beverages and supplements to enjoy while at work or home
- 80 hours of paid time off, two floating holidays and eight paid company holidays.
Sol-ti Values
We each have an inner light. At Sol-ti, we encourage you to Let Yourself Shine while also encouraging others to shine their brightest. We are committed to helping individuals shine through Liquids of Vitality while also preserving the planet with the use of sustainable glass packaging.
Create the Best Product: Best in Glass
Did you know that most of the other beverages on the market use petroleum based single-use plastic packaging? Not only is this harmful to our oceans and landfills, it is also not sustainable. From the start, we have been committed to bottling in glass for purity, people, and the planet.
Our unique UV Light Filtration process uses light rays to preserve our liquid without pasteurizing it – eliminating spoilers without pasteurizing it – so you can enjoy organic, Glass Bottled, Living Beverages.
Salary : $70,000 - $80,000
