R&D Associate

This range is provided by Sol-ti. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$80,000.00/yr - $/yr

Sol-ti’s success resides in consistently developing the highest quality Living Beverages backed by our Employee‑Owned team that brings energy and excitement into their daily work with a passion for healthy living and sustainability.

Sol-ti means ‘of the sun’ or ‘you are the sun’. We are committed to helping individuals shine while also preserving the planet with the use of sustainable glass packaging.

Industry Type:

Manufacturer

Category:
Marketing

Beverages:
Super Food Beverages, Wellness Shots

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Reports to:

Vice President Marketing & Innovation

# of Direct Reports: 0

For this position, candidate must reside in San Diego County and be seeking a full‑time on‑site position.

The Research and Development Associate is responsible for supporting Sol-ti’s product innovation and continuous improvement efforts. This role focuses on developing new products, refining existing formulations, and enhancing production processes to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency. The R&D Associate conducts bench‑level experiments, evaluates ingredient and process performance, and provides data‑driven insights that guide product development decisions.

Working closely with cross‑functional teams, this position ensures that all R&D work aligns with Sol-ti’s operational capabilities, regulatory standards, and brand objectives. The individual in this role maintains detailed documentation, contributes to troubleshooting and problem resolution, and supports the transition of new or improved products into full‑scale production.

• Assist in formulating and testing new beverage products, flavors, and ingredient combinations.
• Improve existing manufacturing processes to enhance quality, efficiency, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Conduct sensory evaluations, shelf‑life studies, and stability testing to ensure product consistency.
• Identify and evaluate new ingredients, natural preservatives, and nutritional enhancements.
• Ensure formulations and labeling meet FDA, USDA, and other relevant food safety regulations.
• Record, analyze, and report experimental data to support decision‑making.
• Assist in scaling up new formulations from lab trials to full‑scale production.
• Work closely with production, quality assurance, and marketing teams to align R&D efforts with business goals.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, manage ingredient inventory, and follow safety protocols.
• Explore eco‑friendly packaging, clean‑label trends, and healthier formulations to meet consumer demand.

• Comply with all Plant, State, and Federal OSHA, EPA, FDA, HACCP, and SQF regulations.
• Knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and beverage formulation.
• 1–3 years of experience in R&D, product development, or quality control within the beverage or food industry.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills to optimize formulations and troubleshoot issues.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, shelf‑life testing, and stability analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, formulation software, or laboratory data management systems.

• $70,000 annually depending on experience
• Employee Equity Incentive Plan
• Performance‑based bonuses
• Health Insurance programs with industry‑leading contributions toward your premium
• Referral Programs and free access to our functional beverages and supplements to enjoy while at work or home
• 80 hours of paid time off, two floating holidays and eight paid company holidays.

We each have an inner light. At Sol-ti, we encourage you to Let Yourself Shine while also encouraging others to shine their brightest. We are committed to helping individuals shine through Liquids of Vitality while also preserving the planet with the use of sustainable glass packaging.

Did you know that most of the other beverages on the market use petroleum‑based single‑use plastic packaging? Not only is this harmful to our oceans and landfills, it is also not sustainable. From the start, we have been committed to bottling in glass for purity, people, and the planet.

Our unique UV Light Filtration process uses light rays to preserve our liquid without pasteurizing it – eliminating spoilers without pasteurizing it – so you can enjoy organic, Glass Bottled, Living Beverages.

Entry level

Full‑time

Quality Assurance