Product Development Scientist Job Description

What is the job description of a Product Development Scientist? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Product Development Scientist? What does a Product Development Scientist do?

Job description of a Product Development Scientist

Product and process development scientists are concerned with improving the efficiency and profitability of the manufactured product. Companies which manufacture products typically need development scientists who understand and control the processes used to make the final product.

Development scientists work across the manufacturing industry, on products as diverse as foods, medicines, cosmetics and paints. They aim to optimize the performance of manufacturing systems. They are responsible for identifying and developing new processes for product manufacture, as well as putting in place process controls to make sure the products are of a high quality and are manufactured in a reproducible manner.

This Product Development Scientist job description example includes the list of most important Product Development Scientist duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Product Development Scientist profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Product Development Scientist Duties and Responsibilities

Product Development Scientist job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Formulating and establishing product design and performance objectives, normally in consultation with other functions, including research, marketing and production, as well as contractors, suppliers and customers;
  • Devising new processes, or refining existing ones, to optimise the manufacturing process;
  • Planning, carrying out and supervising process trials in laboratories, pilot plants or factories;
  • Devising methods for making products at the required scale and/or evaluating existing processes to identify areas for improvement;
  • Product specifications;
  • Advising on equipment modification to enable process changes for new product development;
  • Reading and writing technical reports and specifications, and maintaining appropriate records;
  • Initiating and generating ideas based on reading and research.
  • Scaling up the production process via plant trials, making changes to raw materials or components and process parameters to ensure quality is maintained during large-scale production;
  • Improving yields by reducing costs, for example investigating alternative materials or new machinery to improve efficiency, quality and yields in bottleneck areas;
  • Implementing process controls and devising test methods to assess the production process;
  • Validating new processes and showing that they are an improvement;
  • Working with product pipelines at various stages of development;
  • Developing formulae, specifications and label declarations, and ensuring compliance with the finished

Product Development Scientist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Product Development Scientist job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant science discipline.
  • Good communication skills for effective liaison and teamwork
  • Problem-solving skills, analytical skills and attention to detail
  • The ability to work well independently, with minimum supervision
  • Drive, enthusiasm and self-motivation
  • An aptitude for mathematics and statistics and highly developed IT and technical skills.
  • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work on several tasks or projects concurrently
  • Commercial acumen and an awareness of the business value of work undertaken
  • Presentation skills - for presenting ideas and findings to colleagues and customers

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Product Development Scientist starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Product Development Scientist job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Product Development Scientist may also reference it in preparation for the interview.