Research and Development Scientist

BrightFarms is The Place to Grow!  

At BrightFarms, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the way leafy greens are grown. But we don’t just want to grow great tasting greens, we want them to do good as well: for the planet, for the health of people, and for the well-being of our employees. We give BrightFarmers the tools, training, support, and opportunities they need to do better for themselves and the world every day. Because when you do good for your people, they do good for the world.  

BrightFarms is a national leader in the booming indoor farming industry, transforming how produce is grown and delivered with its expanding network of eight high-tech, sustainable hydroponic farms.  From seed to leaf we grow lettuce smarter, with less space, no pesticides and protected inside, so it’s better for the planet and way better for humans. BrightFarms' fresh lettuce options, from classic greens to crunchy mixes and salad kits, are available in more than 4,500 retail stores across the East Coast, Midwest, and South. 

In Research & Development, we’re driven by innovation, curiosity, and a commitment to delivering high-quality leafy crops that make a difference. Our team thrives at the intersection of science, creativity, and purpose. We’re looking for an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Research & Development Scientist I to focus on product development, and to help us bring the next generation of hydroponic leafy products to life. In this role, you’ll support the design, development, and optimization of new and existing products from concept to launch. You’ll work closely with the agriculture team, operations, marketing, and commercial teams to ensure our products meet performance targets, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.

Specifically, you will: 

• Be responsible for the planning, execution, and analysis of product development trials, experiments, and scale-up processes
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across different farm locations to accomplish R&D plans
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data using appropriate scientific methods and tools
• Prepare clear and concise technical reports, presentations, and documentation
• Communicate trial results and learnings to different BF stakeholders
• Implement BF pipeline processes before, during, and after each trial
• Ensure data quality and act as a strong steward of the experimental database
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and best practices when running trials in production farms
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, process optimization, and knowledge sharing
• Develop and review SOPs for R&D processes
• Serve as an internal and external technical reference and provide expert knowledge on new varieties
• Support sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and pilot-scale equipment trials

The ideal candidate: 

• B.S. or M.S. in Horticulture, Plant Science, Biology, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field
• 1–5 years of relevant industry or academic experience in product development, R&D, agriculture, seed production, or a related field
• Strong technical knowledge of plant science and hydroponic vegetable production practices
• Excellent problem-solving, oral and written communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Ability to develop and maintain long-term industry relationships
• Team-oriented mindset
• Comfortable with hands-on research equipment, trial execution, and data analysis
• Familiarity with experimental design and basic statistical tools is a plus
• Knowledge of product lifecycle management and documentation systems
• Interest in sustainable and innovative product solutions
• Willingness to travel nationally and/or internationally
• Lifting to 25 pounds, working under different conditions of high and low temperatures

BrightFarms is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.