Research and Development Engineer in Carlsbad, California

Location

Carlsbad, California

Job Type

Full-time

Salary

$80,000 – $100,000/yr

Company

Adecco

Overview

Adecco Healthcare & Life Sciences is hiring – Technical Specialist, Process & Product Development

Location: Carlsbad, CA | Duration: ~1 year temp to hire | Pay: $35–$45/hr

Adecco Healthcare & Life Sciences is partnering with a leading company specializing in high-value nutritional products and functional food & beverage solutions. We are seeking a Technical Specialist to support the development, implementation, and process improvement of innovative products and technologies. This role bridges R&D and production, driving operational readiness, process efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Key Responsibilities • Lead the integration of new products and technologies across multiple sites. • Document, review, and enhance existing processes for efficiency, quality, and compliance. • Manage production implementation and process improvement initiatives. • Coordinate cross-functional projects, prioritizing both strategic and operational goals. • Act as a technical liaison between R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams. • Facilitate in-plant testing, validation, and operational readiness of new products and processes. • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to team members. • Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to ensure ingredient and production quality. • Support SOP development, operator training, product sampling, and quality testing. • Track and analyze process data to drive continuous improvement and superior product outcomes. • Promote a culture of safety and ensure adherence to cGMP, HACCP, and regulatory standards. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Project Management, Statistics, or related field. • Experience in process improvement, process engineering, or project management preferred. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with SAP, Power BI, PDM, or LIMS is a plus. • Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and technical troubleshooting skills; Six Sigma or DMAIC experience preferred. • Ability to lead cross-functional projects, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. • Knowledge of regulatory compliance (cGMP, GRAS, HACCP). • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; professional and collaborative work style. Environmental & Physical Requirements • Regular use of hands/fingers, sitting, standing, walking, reaching, occasional crouching/kneeling. • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform light physical activity. • Work environment may include exposure to noise, fumes, chemicals, or moving machinery. • Minimal overnight travel required (up to 15%). Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP, commuter benefits, 401(k) plan, paid leave, and holiday pay where eligible. Flexible options allow employees to choose coverage that meets individual needs.