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What is a product development scientist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Kevin Belfield Ph.D.

The primary responsibility of a product development scientist is to research and develop new products and production processes for a company. You are also responsible for modifying existing manufacturing processes to improve the efficiency and profitability of these processes.

You will be required to research materials to be used in the production of new products and also work to develop new ways of how customers engage existing products. A product development scientist gathers information and presents them to his/her colleagues and relevant teams. You will also work with production engineers/staff to produce products with the best quality and quantity.

A degree in courses like food science/technology or food production and other scientific fields related to this is necessary. You are also required to have a creative and logical mind and be able to communicate effectively with other staff members. An information technology skill with the ability to deliver your duties professionally is also essential. Their average salary per year is $70,482.

What general advice would you give to a product development scientist?

Kevin Belfield Ph.D.Kevin Belfield Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean, College of Science and Liberal Arts Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science Becton Dickinson Research Professor Fellow of the ACS and AAAS, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Keep learning, and stay curious. New information and technologies are being generated at an unprecedented rate. A grad's new degree is a great foundation. It's essential to continue learning, both in your field and in others. Suppose you have a particular interest, unrelated to your degree (perhaps it's robotics, music, economics, web design, history, or science fiction, for example). It's not a bad idea to dedicate some time each week reading in or pursuing this area, as one never knows when there may be a convergence of your interests that can lead to an unexpected professional opportunity.
ScoreProduct Development ScientistUS Average
Salary
6.6

Avg. Salary $84,817

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 26.33%

Black or African American 6.43%

Hispanic or Latino 9.68%

Unknown 4.12%

White 53.29%

Gender

female 40.67%

male 59.33%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Product development scientist career paths

Key steps to become a product development scientist

  1. Explore product development scientist education requirements

    Most common product development scientist degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.0 %

    Master's

    21.6 %

    Doctorate

    8.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific product development scientist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Chemistry12.35%
    Project Management5.89%
    Data Analysis4.66%
    FDA3.89%
    Experimental Design3.69%
  3. Complete relevant product development scientist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New product development scientists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a product development scientist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real product development scientist resumes.
  4. Research product development scientist duties and responsibilities

    • Coordinate instrument calibration, lead GMP & GLP processes.
    • Manage assigned projects within GMP pilot plant to develop the manufacturing process of oral solid dosage forms.
    • Lead all risk analysis and FDA notification documentation.
    • Train and supervise technicians & QC analysts as necessary to execute project to completion.
  5. Prepare your product development scientist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your product development scientist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a product development scientist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable product development scientist resume templates

    Build a professional product development scientist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your product development scientist resume.
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
    Product Development Scientist Resume
  6. Apply for product development scientist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a product development scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first product development scientist job

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Average product development scientist salary

The average product development scientist salary in the United States is $84,817 per year or $41 per hour. Product development scientist salaries range between $62,000 and $115,000 per year.

Average product development scientist salary
$84,817 Yearly
$40.78 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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