Mexican Salsa Scientist

Contract Food Scientist – Mexican Salsa Formulation

Location: Corona, California

Type: Contract / Temporary

Industry: Food & Beverage / Fast Food Product Development

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on Food Scientist or Food Product Developer with deep expertise in Mexican salsa formulation to create a restaurant-grade line of fresh salsas suitable for fast food environments. This includes salsa fresca, roasted salsa, green salsa, and hot salsa varieties. The role involves developing scalable recipes that maintain flavor, texture, and heat consistency throughout shelf life, while adhering to food safety and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and refine fresh salsa recipes including salsa fresca, roasted, green, and hot varieties for commercial production.

- Ensure consistent heat level (spiciness) across batches and throughout shelf life.

- Select and test preservatives, stabilizers, and acidifiers to optimize shelf stability without compromising flavor.

- Conduct shelf-life studies and establish feasible expectations for product longevity.

- Collaborate with culinary and operations teams to ensure scalability and cost-effectiveness.

- Document formulations, ingredient interactions, and processing methods.

- Ensure compliance with FDA regulations and food safety standards.

Required Qualifications

- Hands-on experience in salsa or acidic food product development.

- Strong understanding of ingredient interactions, especially with capsaicin, acids, and stabilizers.

- Experience with thermal processing, pH control, and microbial stability.

- Familiarity with GRAS ingredients and regulatory labeling requirements.

- Ability to work independently and deliver results within tight timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

- Degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Culinary Science, or related field.

- Experience with Mexican cuisine and flavor profiling.

- Knowledge of commercial food production and fast food supply chains.

- Ability to conduct sensory testing and adjust formulations accordingly.

- Experience with natural preservatives and clean-label strategies.

Contract Details

- Duration: 3–6 months (with potential for extension)

- Compensation: Competitive, based on experience

- Start Date: Immediate

- Location: On-site in Corona, CA