Director of R&D

The Company:
David creates tools to increase muscle and decrease fat. Our first product is a protein bar. More broadly, David is a platform to develop high-protein, low-calorie, blood-sugar-friendly foods that are craveable.

This is a compelling opportunity to be a part of an exciting new food brand as we enter a critical growth stage. David is led by CEO Peter Rahal, the Cofounder and Former CEO of RXBAR. We have strong aspirations to become the most popular high-protein bar in North America and beyond.

Roles & Responsibilities:
David Protein is seeking a Director of Research & Development to lead and scale our R&D function. This role will own the development of new products and the continuous improvement of existing ones — driving innovation that aligns with David’s mission to create high-protein, low-calorie, blood-sugar-friendly foods that taste incredible.

As Director, you’ll be responsible for both the strategic direction and day-to-day execution of R&D initiatives. You’ll work closely with leadership to set the product roadmap, and collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, and Management to bring new formulations to life and ensure reliable, scalable manufacturing.

Team Leadership, People Development, and Mentorship

• Lead, coach, and mentor R&D scientists in systematic approaches and ways of thinking to understanding complex food systems and how ingredient choice, process parameters, and their interactions lead to specific outcomes in product and process.
• Develop competencies across the R&D organization including critical thinking, hypothesis-driven experimentation, structured problem solving approaches, trial design, and analytical validation.
• Manage the R&D team to deliver on company-wide product and innovation goals.
• Create a technical service mindset within the R&D team for rapid product troubleshooting of manufacturing issues with quality team members.

Strategy

• Establish R&D priorities in partnership with leadership, ensuring alignment with overall business strategy and effectively communicate these priorities to broader R&D team.
• Build scalable systems, tools, and documentation processes that enable efficient, repeatable innovation.

Breakthrough Innovation

• Develop new product formulations and processes in line with strategic roadmap priorities.
• Research and apply emerging food technologies and ingredients to create category-defining products.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across the food industry, academia, and expert networks to accelerate innovation and competitive advantage.

Continuous Improvement

• Continuously optimize existing formulations for better taste, nutrition, stability, and manufacturability.
• Develop new flavors and line extensions of existing products.
• Collaborate with commercialization, manufacturing, operations, and quality partners to translate bench results into predictable plant-scale outcomes during scale-up and manufacturing, optimizing functionality, cost, processability, consistent quality and maximum yield. Partner with our Procurement Team to identify and validate new ingredients and suppliers, providing technical guidance and rationale for ingredient preferences.

Technical Development

• Document formulations, ingredient lists, nutrition facts, batch mix instructions, and product specifications.
• Ensure all formulations meet nutritional, sensory, and cost targets while supporting scaled production.

• 5+ years of experience in food science, product development, or a related technical discipline

• Experience working with dairy, proteins, or value-added protein systems (strongly preferred)
• A deep curiosity and track record of lifelong learning in the field of food science and emerging ingredient technologies.
• A willingness to experiment, challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of product development.
• A humble attitude that presents itself as a willingness to entertain and consider good ideas regardless of the source.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across functions.
• Strong critical thinking skills and analytical rigor and precision in problem-solving and documentation.
• Experience with industry standard R&D Food Formulation & Labeling Software.
• Graduate degree in Food Science or related field preferred.
• Strong relationships within the food industry, academia, and relevant professional organizations.
• A passion for building innovative food products that support health, performance, and longevity.

• This is a full-time, in-office role based in New York City. We work onsite five days a week — when the culture fits, it is fun to be in the office together.
• Salary: $150 - $250K per year, dependent on experience. This is inclusive of cash bonus based on attainment of company targets.
• In addition to cash compensation, this role includes a company equity opportunity.
• 100% covered Health, Vision, Dental Insurance
• 401(k) with 4% match
• Additional perks, such as covered gym expenses
• Substantial and required PTO