Principal Scientist, R&D – Innovation Expert

Job Purpose

As a Principal Scientist, you will lead and scale Open Innovation (OI) initiatives across R&D to accelerate product, process, and packaging innovation in the food business. In partnership with the North America R&D Leadership Team, you will manage and govern our External Partnerships and Open Innovation program, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, focus, and budget adherence. You will scout partners, drive agile sprints and proof of concept trails, and support the implementation of novel technology platforms.

You will act as the OI client manager for the R&D teams and external customers, interacting across business and technical functions at various levels throughout the company, and providing technical knowledge of open innovation best practices.

• Define and execute an Open Innovation strategy and technology roadmaps that integrate digital transformation and AI capabilities with R&D priorities.
• Facilitate business and technical decision makers in translating strategy into Open Innovation projects.
• Participate in aspects of Open Innovation capability to find new or emerging technology and services that can be adapted to provide new product opportunities or lead to significant cost reduction in operations supporting the digital and food science platforms.
• Represent the company’s interests in relationships and joint development efforts with academic and industrial partners providing technology and know‑how to address important needs.
• Assist in negotiating and structuring joint development or license agreements with chosen partners.
• Work closely with IP attorneys in negotiating licensing and joint development agreements; support IP strategy, evaluate invention disclosures tied to Open Innovation projects, and coordinate with corporate venturing or licensing teams on commercialization.
• Work with technology brokerage companies to solicit input from outside experts on specific technical needs; coordinate rapid and effective response to unsolicited Open Innovation proposals.
• Identify and evaluate startups, academic labs, technology vendors, and internal teams with strengths in LLMs, autonomous agents, robotics, simulation, sensory analytics, predictive shelf‑life modelling, and Digital Twins.
• Design and run innovation challenges, hackathons, proof‑of‑concepts (POCs), and partner pilots; manage contracts and IP terms in collaboration with legal and procurement.
• Perform a preliminary technical and business assessment of technology to determine whether it should be pursued.

• BS/MS degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Food Engineering or PhD in Food Science with deep technical background in AI or related discipline.
• 6–8 years of experience in R&D, Open Innovation, or corporate venturing in the food or CPG industry, with 2+ years exploring digital/AI solutions.
• Strong familiarity with R&D workflows.
• Proven track record in building relationships internally and externally and in interacting with senior executives.
• Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiations, alliance and partner management, and IP frameworks; working knowledge of technology transfer and intellectual property principles.
• Cross‑functional influencer – ability to drive collaboration across R&D, digital, legal, manufacturing, and commercial teams.
• Strategic thinker with pragmatic delivery orientation; able to translate research into scalable products.
• Strong communicator who can explain technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and prepare executive materials.
• Experience with corporate venturing, scouting platforms, or challenges‑based open innovation programs.
• Knowledge of food products and packaging and food manufacturing processes.
• Self‑driven to become up to speed on new technologies.

Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open work spaces.

$ – $

This position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

• Physical – Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social – Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401(k), Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact  for assistance.