We’re looking for an Extrusion Scientist / SME to lead extrusion strategy and execution across our emerging Just Meat platform. This role will sit at HQ but serve as the company’s in-house extrusion expert, partnering closely with our co-manufacturing network to ensure consistent, high-quality production at scale.
You will play a critical role in translating product innovation into manufacturable reality — owning extrusion process development, troubleshooting, and optimization to deliver best-in-class texture, performance, and efficiency. This is a highly cross-functional role spanning R&D, Operations, and external manufacturing partners.
What You’ll Do
- Own extrusion expertise for Just Meat and future platforms, serving as the internal SME on high-moisture and/or low-moisture extrusion processes.
- Lead process development and scale-up from bench to pilot to full commercial manufacturing, ensuring successful technology transfer to co-manufacturers.
- Partner directly with co-manufacturing facilities — spending meaningful time onsite — to oversee production runs, troubleshoot issues in real time, and drive continuous improvement.
- Optimize extrusion parameters (e.g., moisture, temperature, shear, die configuration) to achieve target texture, structure, and product performance.
- Collaborate with Product Development to ensure formulations are designed for manufacturability and aligned with extrusion capabilities.
- Drive root-cause analysis and problem-solving for production challenges, including variability in raw materials, process deviations, and scale-related issues.
- Establish process standards and documentation to ensure repeatability, quality, and efficiency across manufacturing partners.
- Evaluate and implement new technologies and ingredients to advance product quality and expand capabilities in alternative protein systems.
- Support broader product innovation efforts as needed, particularly where extrusion is a key enabler.
- Travel regularly to co-manufacturing partners to support commercialization, production runs, and ongoing optimization.
What You’ll Bring
- Master’s or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field.
- 3-5 + years of hands-on extrusion experience, ideally within plant-based or alternative protein systems.
- Deep expertise in high-moisture extrusion (strongly preferred) and/or textured vegetable protein (TVP) processes.
- Proven track record of scaling extrusion-based products from development to commercial production, including work with co-manufacturers.
- Strong understanding of structure-function relationships in protein systems and how they translate through extrusion.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot live manufacturing environments and drive process improvements under real-world constraints.
- Experience working cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, and Quality teams.
- Willingness and ability to travel on a monthly cadence to manufacturing sites.
- Clear communicator who can translate technical insights into actionable direction for diverse stakeholders.
Why Join Just Food Company
- Be at the forefront of building a new category in alternative protein.
- Own a high-impact technical domain that is critical to the success of our Just Meat platform.
- Work in a lean, highly collaborative environment where you can see the direct impact of your work on products and the broader mission.
- Partner closely with leadership and manufacturing teams to shape how we scale and execute.
Compensation: The expected base salary range for this role (based in Emeryville, CA) is $135,000 - $165,000.
Additional Information & Requirements
- This is a full-time onsite role (5 days/week) at our headquarters in Emeryville, CA.
- This role requires unrestricted domestic and international travel up to 30%
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Just Food Company participates in E-Verify.
