Sr. R&D Engineer

Who We Are

At JonnyPops our team is empowered to make an impact at work every day from producing high-quality innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments align with our core values and get fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them.

Based in Elk River MN JonnyPops develops manufactures distributes and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target Costco Publix Kroger Cub along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment.

Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012 JonnyPops mission is to make A Better Pop for a Better World! JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed spreading kindness every day.

Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the companys success. Join our team and help us makeA Better Pop for a Better World!

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior R&D Engineer to lead the advancement of our frozen novelty manufacturing capabilities and product innovation. This role is responsible for developing optimizing and commercializing processing technologies that translate product concepts into scalable high-quality frozen novelties. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise in dairy and frozen systems creative problem-solving and strong cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation and operational excellence.

As a key technical resource you will design and validate new process systems lead plant trials and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency consistency and product performance. You will work closely with Production R&D Quality Engineering and Supply Chain to ensure seamless transfer of new products and technologies from concept through full-scale manufacturing. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our frozen novelty portfolio by applying advanced food engineering principles data-driven insights and practical manufacturing experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide R&D engineering leadership from early-stage feasibility through pilot and commercial scale-up for innovation renovation and productivity initiatives
• Design execute and analyze complex experimental trials from lab-scale formulation work to pilot and full-scale manufacturing runs ensuring technical learnings directly inform commercial implementation.
• Develop and optimize process parameters (freezing aeration mixing crystallization and heat treatment) to achieve target product quality consistency and manufacturing efficiency in dairy and frozen systems.
• Demonstrate hands-on expertise in prototype development and process modification adapting formulations and equipment setups to test and validate new technologies ingredients and process designs.
• Partner cross-functionally with Supply Chain Operations Engineering Quality and external technical partners to drive seamless transfer of new formulations and processes into manufacturing.
• Lead plant trials and commercialization efforts providing on-site technical leadership to troubleshoot optimize and validate R&D-developed processes under real manufacturing conditions.
• Develop and standardize R&D engineering methodologies to strengthen experimental design process mapping and scale-up protocols ensuring technical rigor and reproducibility across projects.
• Balance multiple complex priorities in a dynamic fast-paced environment effectively aligning resources and technical focus with evolving business and consumer needs.

Food Safety Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

Additional Requirements

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to stand sit walk use hands to finger handle or feel objects tools or controls; talk and hear and reach with hands or arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee consistently lifts and / or moves up to 100 lbs and is on their feet for the majority of the workday. Works comfortably in a variable temperature environment.

Expected Pay Range : $120000-$140000

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following :

Required Experience :

Senior IC

Key Skills

Laboratory Experience,Vendor Management,Design Controls,C / C++,FDA Regulations,Intellectual Property Law,ISO 13485,Research Experience,SolidWorks,Research & Development,Internet Of Things,Product Development

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Yearly Salary Salary : 120000 - 140000