careers as bold & bright as you
Application Scientist II
Sensient Technologies Corporation is a global leader in colors, flavors, and extracts. Our R&D teams drive innovation by developing advanced systems, ingredients, and technologies that transform food, personal care, and pharmaceutical products. Join us to be part of a dynamic group shaping the future across a variety of teams, including:
Analytics Team: Lead flavor research and analysis using instrumentation like HPLC, GC, and GC-MS. Improve and develop lab workflows and methodologies. Mentor staff to ensure both technical excellence and financial success through collaborative efforts.
Flavor Creation Team: Develop innovative flavors across diverse market segments, including Beverage, Savory, and Sweet. Work closely with customers and our Applications Teams to deliver impactful, tailored solutions which drive growth and exceed market expectations.
Sensory Team: Design and execute sensory and consumer research to provide in-depth understanding of products and consumers for product development, optimization and maintenance. Conduct panels and apply statistical analysis to deliver actionable insights. Lead training of cross-functional teams and customers in flavor language.
Innovation Team: Utilize scientific expertise to develop cutting-edge ingredients, formulations, and technologies. Contribute to groundbreaking product advancements. Collaborate with a global network of Sensient scientists to shape our industry's future.
Applications Team: Partner with customers in labs and at their facilities to bring their product visions to life. Solve challenges, provide creative solutions to deliver innovative products which align with customer goals across various industries.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Job Level: Entry, Mid, Senior
- Travel : Depends on Role
success profile
We are looking for team members who are:
- Results-focused
- Collaborative
- Skilled communicators
- Analytically rigorous
- Detail-oriented
- Intensely curious
Your journey
career path
This is a sample of the R&D Career paths at Sensient.
- Lab Technician
- Application Scientist (multiple levels)
- Technical Service Manager (multiple levels)
- Technical Director
- Senior Technical Director or
- Innovation Intern
- Innovation Associate (multiple levels)
- Innovation Scientist (multiple levels)
- Innovations Manager
cultural points
The Sensient Six are the core values that drive us in our mission.
- Entrepreneurial
- Customer focused
- Develop self and others
- Collaborative
- Results driven
- Know your job
My job gives me the unique opportunity to develop products that I feel passionate about. Being part of an international team, with access to so much know-how and the most innovative technologies, encourages me every day to do my best and to drive innovation.
Application Scientist II
At Sensient Technologies, we are experts in science, art, and innovation of color and flavor. We are market savvy and visionary. We are problem solvers, and we will be better with you.
We are looking for an Application Scientist II to join our Food Colors team, which continues leading the natural colors transformation, and where you'll represent cutting-edge solutions, and work with industry-leading customers.
This position is full time based in our Alajuela office.
What you’ll do:
- Drive product development and innovation by contributing across the product lifecycle, evaluating new product ideas, developing customized color solutions, and assessing opportunities to meet customer and business needs.
- Provide technical expertise and customer support by leading technical discussions, preparing customer reports and presentations, conducting customer visits and training, and designing color solutions that meet target market and regulatory requirements.
- Execute product development and commercialization by managing formulation development, conducting stability testing, overseeing scale-up and first production, and collaborating on ready-to-eat formulations to ensure successful industrialization.
- Ensure quality, compliance, and operational excellence by following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), maintaining laboratory equipment, reporting product specifications, and coordinating with Operations, Regulatory, and Quality teams.
- Support team and business objectives by completing complex projects with increasing independence, mentoring junior technical staff, and traveling to support customers and business initiatives.
What you’ll bring:
- Bachelor's degree in food science or equivalent education.
- Minimum of two years of experience in food industry formulation, product development, and application development (ideally in dairy, beverages, confectionery, and pet food).
- Experience in leading customer application projects and project management experience.
- An enthusiastic, creative, and team centered approach to add to an amazing office environment.
- Fluent in English language.
- Ability to travel to visit customers up to 50% of the time.
What you’ll get:
- An excellent salary, benefit offering and development opportunities.
- A thorough and effective training experience during onboarding and beyond.
- An opportunity to collaborate on site full time with a terrific team.
About Sensient:
Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors and extracts. Sensient employs advanced technologies at facilities around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, specialty colors, and other specialty and fine chemicals. The Company's customers include major international manufacturers representing most of the world's best-known brands.
Sensient Colors is a leading developer, producer, and supplier of natural and synthetic color systems for customers worldwide. Its high-performance products play a critical role in the manufacture of food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals colors and coatings, and colors for agricultural uses, household cleaners and paper products.
Equal opportunity employer.
As a dynamic and diversified global leader, we offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information, visit our website:
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innovation has never looked so good
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our stories We work together in person to put the needs of our customers first and get results. Be different. Be Sensient. -
who we are We’re on a mission across the globe to unlock the potential of our customers’ food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products.
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faq You have questions? here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions people have about a career with Sensient.
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the Americas We offer multiple locations across the United States, Latin America, and Canada. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles.
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APAC region We offer multiple locations across the Asia-Pacific region. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles.
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EMEA region We offer multiple locations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles.
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global locations At Sensient, we believe in the power of collaborating face-to-face, in person. With locations around the world, we offer plenty of opportunities to build the career that best suits you. Learn more about our global locations.
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what we do We develop and manufacture flavors, colors, and extracts that bring our customers’ products to life. Our products positively impact the daily experience of millions.
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sustainability Sustainability is central to our mission at Sensient. Everyone here is dedicated to working together to bring sustainable innovations to the world. This includes vegan flavors, low-carbon products, natural and organic ingredients, and so much more.
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key hiring areas at Sensient Technologies Many paths to success. With a variety of categories and locations, it’s important to find the role that fits you best.
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learning & development We offer a variety of unmatched opportunities for training designed to help you develop your skills. Each program is tailored to specific areas of focus and intended to bring out your best while setting you up for a long, exciting, and fruitful career at Sensient. Take control of your future and learn more about our development programs.
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tips for your application Interested in applying to join us, but not sure how to begin? We’ve compiled a list of tips and advice from some current employees to help you get started.
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careers in research & development Where innovation is born and applied. If you’re an analytic thinker, scientific researcher, and driven winner, our Research and Development (R&D) department is where you can take control of your career.
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coaching at Sensient Having a strong coaching culture is a top priority for Sensient. We are committed to helping our employees grow and develop in their roles to meet their future career goals.
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sales careers Are you ambitious with a competitive spirit? Do you want to be rewarded for your hard work and results? Does your professional success matter to you? If so, join Sensient’s elite sales team.
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Working at Juneau Discover what makes working at the Juneau, WI facility unique! With a rich history, and a close-knit team of under 100 employees, this location offers a collaborative work environment where personal connections thrive.
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Working in St. Louis Discover what it's like working at our Colors Headquarters! With a dynamic work environment, you’ll have opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute with a focus on innovation and career development.
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Why Sensient?
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your future starts at Sensient Unleash the power of bold flavors and bright colors and experience the thrill of developing products that are essential to hundreds of millions of users. Learn more about who we are and how our teams work together to create innovative solutions.
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careers in research & development Explore careers in Research & Development at Sensient. Work on science‑driven innovation, global impact, and sustainable solutions across industries.
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career changers: build a sales career at Sensient For driven professionals ready to turn expertise into sales success at Sensient.
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career growth at Sensient Unlock your potential with Sensient's growth programs. Bring your grit, and we'll teach you the rest. Explore opportunities in research, sales, manufacturing, and more.
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Early Days at Sensient Success starts here. Explore Sensient’s world-class onboarding experience built to help you feel welcomed, prepared, and supported from your first day onward.
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Our Business Goal at Sensient Discover how Sensient’s technology, scale, and people power innovation across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications—shaping products used every day around the world.
