Overview In this Principal Scientist role, you will apply deep food regulatory expertise to guide clients on compliance, approvals, and market access across foods, beverages, and related products. You'll lead client engagements, mentor teams, and help expand Exponent's food safety and regulatory practice while shaping industry thought leadership. You will collaborate across practices to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions in a dynamic regulatory landscape.
Compensation / Benefits- annual bonus
- 401(k) employer contribution of 7%
- competitive benefits
- career growth opportunities
- health and well-being programs
- recognition programs
Responsibilities- Provide strategic scientific and regulatory guidance on ingredients, feeds, nutritional products, beverages, and novel technologies
- Advise on compliance, approval pathways (GRAS, FAP, AAFCO) and domestic/international regulation
- Develop regulatory strategies aligning with product innovation and business goals
- Identify and pursue new client engagements and strengthen existing relationships
- Lead multidisciplinary project teams and oversee complex engagements
- Manage project execution, budgets, and client communications
- Offer technical leadership and peer review across food safety/regulatory projects
- Mentor junior and mid-level consultants to cultivate talent
- Contribute to thought leadership via publications, conferences, and industry engagement
- Monitor regulatory and scientific developments and translate to client solutions
- Collaborate with other Exponent practices to deliver integrated solutions
Key requirements- Ph.D. in relevant discipline plus 12+ years of consulting, industry, regulatory, or leadership experience
- Extensive knowledge of U.S. food, feed, and ingredient regulatory frameworks; global regulatory strategies experience
- Proven track record in GRAS determinations, FAP, AAFCO, novel foods, biotech-derived products
- Strong business development, networking, and client relationship skills
- Experience advising senior client stakeholders and executive leadership
- Excellent written and oral communication skills for diverse audiences
- Ability to lead teams and manage multiple complex projects
- Strong people leadership and mentoring skills
- strong communication
- leadership and mentoring
- relationship management
- GRAS determinations
- Food Additive Petitions (FAP)
- AAFCO submissions
