Principal Scientist Jobs in Texas
Principal Scientist jobs in Texas are concentrated in the state's life sciences, energy research, and semiconductor sectors, with demand active at every level from associate scientist through senior principal. The largest hiring hubs are Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin, where employers like ExxonMobil, Texas Instruments, and MD Anderson Cancer Center consistently maintain principal scientist openings. The most sought-after specialties in Texas are analytical chemistry, computational biology, and materials science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Principal Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 8+ Principal Scientist jobs











INTRODUCTION
At PepsiCo, you’ll discover a place where our mission is to create smiles around the world. With a portfolio of more than 500 beloved brands including, Gatorade, Lay’s and Quaker, our work touches millions of people every day.
At the heart of the company is a team of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers who collaborate to innovate and turn ideas into action. Driven by innovation and a focus on creating joyful moments through food and drinks, our decisions are guided by consumer centricity, creating opportunities for our associates to do meaningful work and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a global community that values your ideas and empowers you to make an impact, on your career and on the world around you.
The Associate Principal Scientist will lead seasoning development across multiple brands and products on the R&D Seasonings & Flavor team and with the opportunity to work on many of our consumer loved brands including Lays, Miss Vickies, Cheetos, STAX, Meals, Dips and Sauces and others. The role includes flavor strategy research & ideation, leveraging culinary, flavor & seasoning development, seasoning vendor partnership, seasoning processing & scale up, and specifications. The R&D Associate Principal Scientist will be an integral part of our PEP+ agenda leading strategic planning and innovation programs to expand our portfolio providing more consumer choices with products that are better for the planet and people.
Responsibilities:
- Lead seasoning and flavor innovation from idea inception through product commercialization across multiple brands.
- Work effectively with other R&D functions and business cross-functional partners to develop and launch product innovations and renovations, integrating pep+ technology roadmaps.
- Work with external suppliers and vendors to identify new technology unlocks, lead new seasoning design and commercialize new ingredients and technologies.
- Provide technical and business risk assessment/perspectives related to new product development and strategic R&D project goals.
- Apply scientific and experimental design principles to solve technical problems and create robust seasoning designs.
- Leverage external and internal experts for key analytical and sensory research.
- Willing to travel, occasionally up to 40%.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
- The expected compensation range for this position is between $93,500 - $156,450.
- Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
- Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 10% of annual salary paid out annually.
- Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
- In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
QUALIFICATIONS
- BS, MS, or PhD in Food Science, Ingredient Science or Engineering
- 5+ years experience (BS), 3-4+ (MS), 2-3+ (PhD) in R&D or manufacturing/production environment in foods, seasoning, flavors, ingredients or CPG industry
- Demonstrated ability to translate business objectives into strategic and tactical project objectives
- Demonstrated competency to effectively influence cross-functionally with solid communication (oral & written) and collaboration skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results while overcoming obstacles
- Experience with seasoning system setup, operation, quality control, troubleshooting, etc. is a plus
- This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Past experience in product or process development, seasoning & flavor, ingredient science or culinary a plus.
Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age
If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.
Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.
See All 8 Principal Scientist Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Scientist JobsPrincipal Scientist Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Scientist Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Ally Financial2

- Crown Castle2

- American Airlines1

- Ascentt1

- Enverus1

Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services2
- Insurance2
- Media & Entertainment2
- Airlines1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal scientist jobs across Texas.
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline such as chemistry, biology, or materials science
- Minimum eight years of industry research experience with a strong publication or patent record
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional research teams and mentor junior scientists
- Deep expertise in at least one core methodology relevant to Texas industries such as spectroscopy, genomics, or reservoir characterization
- Experience managing research budgets, grant applications, or large-scale project timelines
- Proficiency with scientific software platforms and statistical analysis tools used in Texas industry settings
Principal Scientist Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal scientist in Texas?
The path to principal scientist in Texas typically starts with a doctoral degree in a relevant field followed by postdoctoral or industry research experience. No state-issued license governs the title, but Texas employers in regulated industries such as environmental science or clinical research may require specific certifications such as a Registered Environmental Manager credential or Good Laboratory Practice training. Advancement comes through demonstrated research leadership and a strong record of published or patented work.
Which companies hire principal scientists in Texas?
Employers hiring principal scientists in Texas right now include Ally Financial, Crown Castle, and American Airlines, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Texas's concentration of energy majors, semiconductor manufacturers, and large academic medical centers means demand is spread across multiple industries rather than dominated by a single sector.
Which Texas cities have the most principal scientist jobs?
Houston, Lewisville, and Plano have the most principal scientist openings in Texas. Houston leads because of its dense concentration of petrochemical, energy research, and medical center employers, while Dallas-Fort Worth draws openings from semiconductor and biotech companies headquartered in the region, and Austin's growing life sciences and tech cluster anchors demand in Central Texas.
Are there remote principal scientist jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based roles because principal scientist work often involves laboratory equipment, on-site collaboration, and hands-on research. About 25% of principal scientist openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The tasks most likely to be performed remotely are data analysis, computational modeling, and scientific writing rather than bench or field work.
How can I get hired as a principal scientist in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a postdoctoral research position at a Texas institution such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT Southwestern, or Rice University, which regularly run structured postdoc programs that feed directly into industry roles. Candidates without a doctorate can move laterally from adjacent roles like research scientist, staff scientist, or senior research associate at Texas energy or biotech companies, then build toward principal-level responsibilities over time. A strong publication record or patent portfolio accelerates that transition significantly.
Where can I find and apply to principal scientist jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to principal scientist jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's major hiring hubs and industries. Search the listings to find roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 8 Principal Scientist Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Scientist Jobs