Food & Beverage STEM OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's food and beverage industry spans Campbell Soup's Camden-adjacent operations, Hershey's confectionery hub, and Philadelphia's growing food-tech corridor, creating F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship opportunities for food scientists, process engineers, and data analysts. Companies in the sector regularly file Labor Condition Applications for STEM-designated roles across Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Allentown.
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Research & Development Scientist II
Date: Oct 19, 2026
Location: Allentown, PA, US
Summary
The Scientist role focuses on supporting all product platforms of R&D. The daily duties of the scientist include: supporting the team with operating equipment, ordering and handling raw materials, preparing new materials for internal and customer testing, conducting experiments, maintaining lab reports, performing routine testing, becoming eligible in the formulations they are working with, and analyzing and reporting results. The role has a responsibility for ensuring both food safety and quality of the food products. This role will also aid in shipping and receiving of finished goods for tasting and shelf-life testing.
Responsibilities
- Support in the operation of all lab equipment, participate in sales/shipment projects, shelf-life studies, special projects, support Industrial trials and Elevated Quality Management
- Record observations, collect and prepare data for further analysis, prepare basic lab reports under guidance from R&D Manager
- Attend the scheduled planning and execution of the design of experiment with the direction of the scientists and team members
- Support preventative maintenance, calibrations, preparations, operating and CIPs on all current pilot laboratories and pilot plant processing and testing equipment. Follow the plant procedure for required maintenance on all pilot processing equipment and machinery for safety, quality or environmental concerns
- Participate in physical, chemical and sensory evaluations of food ingredients and finished products for Safe Quality Food
- Complete procedures to create, maintain and provide accurate records
- Procure ingredients and supplies internally and through external vendors either by project or by lead Scientist. Provide and maintain proper storage area for all items. Cycle count items to provide correct minimum/maximum counts and correct, ongoing inventory until end of project
- Coordinate with internal departments in managing shipments of ingredients to vendors within US and overseas. Finished Goods sales sample dispatch coordination with regional sales manager
- Be an active participant in discussions, workshops and informational meetings with our internal supporting departments
- Attend and participate in mandatory yearly Allergen, HACCP, GMP, Safety trainings and all other required meetings/training
- Complete additional work assigned, including special projects
- Follow Chobani’s safety procedures, standard operating procedures, and Good Manufacturing Practices
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in food/dairy science, Chemistry, Biology or related life science field.
- 2 – 5 years of experience in food/dairy manufacturing or laboratory science; or degree in a life science field (dairy beverage/application is preferred).
- Ability to operate pilot plant production equipment and laboratory testing equipment are required in the manufacturing of food and beverages.
- Ability to handle ambiguity and work in fast paced, entrepreneurial working culture.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize work by determining the sequencing and timing of different jobs based on precedence and importance
- The ability to understand and follow standard operating procedures and instructions
- Knowledge of Sanitation, CIP and COP procedures preferred, and ability to work with chemicals
- Basic computer skills including a working knowledge of MS Word and Excel, PowerPoint a plus
- Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly define ideas, problems and solutions
- Self-motivated and self-directed with the ability to work independently and in group settings
- Basic math and problem-solving skills required
- Working knowledge of PPE’s, GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) and cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices)
About Us
Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers – Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftsmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafés nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail. In 2025, Chobani acquired Daily Harvest, a modern brand offering consumers nutritious, delicious and convenient ready-to-make meals.
Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.
The salary range for this full-time position is $82,500.00 - $129,800.00, + bonus + equity + benefits. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Chobani provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement. To help save for the future, all employees are eligible for a 401k match of 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay. To support growing families, we provide fertility and childcare assistance, and 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay after six months of continuous employment. In addition, we provide wellness resources which include an employee assistance program, fitness discounts, a wellness reimbursement, on-site gym access (certain locations) and a monthly wellness newsletter to connect you with resources and timely information. We offer various types of paid time off including: 120 hours of paid time off, 11 holidays, and paid volunteer time off.
Chobani is an equal opportunity employer. Chobani will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws.
STEM OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in Pennsylvania
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in PennsylvaniaFood & Beverage STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food & beverage companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Pennsylvania?
Several established food and beverage companies with Pennsylvania operations have a history of filing Labor Condition Applications for STEM-eligible roles. These include Hershey Company in Hershey, Campbell Soup (with regional operations near the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border), and various food manufacturing and food-tech firms in the Philadelphia metro. Sponsorship patterns vary by company size, role type, and hiring cycle, so reviewing OFLC Labor Condition Application disclosure data by employer is the most reliable way to confirm active sponsorship history.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have the most food & beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's most active market for food and beverage STEM roles, driven by food-tech startups, ingredient suppliers, and large CPG company regional offices. Hershey and the surrounding Dauphin County area concentrate confectionery and food science positions. Allentown and the Lehigh Valley corridor host food manufacturing operations with process engineering and quality assurance roles. Pittsburgh also has emerging food innovation activity tied to its broader tech and life sciences ecosystem.
How do I find food & beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT-eligible roles and surfaces employer LCA filing history, so you can see which Pennsylvania food and beverage companies have sponsored STEM workers before. Search by the Food & Beverage category and filter for Pennsylvania to find verified sponsorship opportunities in food science, engineering, data, and operations. This is more targeted than general job searches because it connects visa eligibility directly to employer filing history.
What types of food & beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify for STEM OPT typically require a degree in a STEM field designated by the Department of Homeland Security. In food and beverage, this includes food science and technology positions, process and packaging engineers, data analysts working on supply chain or consumer insights, quality assurance scientists, and research and development roles tied to ingredient chemistry or nutrition. General management, sales, and non-technical operations roles typically do not qualify unless the position specifically requires a STEM degree. Check your DSO and the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list to confirm your specific program qualifies.
Are there any Pennsylvania-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in food & beverage?
Pennsylvania food and beverage employers in federally regulated sectors, such as facilities inspected by the FDA or USDA, are often already familiar with documentation and compliance requirements, which can make them more accustomed to employment verification processes like E-Verify, a requirement for STEM OPT employers. The state also has a concentration of food science programs at Penn State University, which means some regional employers have established hiring pipelines for STEM OPT-eligible graduates. However, each employer's willingness and capacity to sponsor varies independently of these factors.