Principal R&D Engineer

Come join a creative team of scientists and engineers on the forefront of beverage innovation! This team is dedicated to growing the category by pushing the boundaries of beverage development and delivery to satisfy every consumer need. Years ago, the coffee industry was revolutionized with the launch of the Keurig brewing system, allowing consumers to brew one cup of coffee on demand. Now with the power of Keurig Dr Pepper, join a new challenger in the beverage industry and let’s discover the possibilities!

This highly specialized role within Beverage R&D will enable Keurig Dr Pepper to maximize the impact of Future Keurig Coffee Systems to consumers, customers, partners, and other key stakeholders. The individual in this role will:

1. Lead the development and scale-up of food safe coating materials applicable to Beverage Development and Future Keurig Innovation utilizing sound scientific methods and technical excellence
2. Generate ideas in this specialized area to drive improvements to product quality, cost of goods, manufacturing efficiency, and other system related areas, working closely with other R&D functions, the appliance team, and supply chain.
3. Act as a key representative assuring KDP requirements and considerations are included in relationship with 3rd parties, vendors, and manufacturers.

This role is multifaceted and will balance product and process research and development on enabling coating technologies, project management, and participation-in / support-of hands on formulation. Exceptional experimental test method development, data analysis and statistical interpretation of results, and intense collaboration with cross-functional teams, specifically appliance and manufacturing teams will also be required.

Responsibilities include:

• Drive development of coating applications for coffee, and other beverages, including effective collaboration with external partners to drive technical research
• Develop a roadmap and implement required lab and pilot capabilities to enable the desired level of competency in this space
• Prototype generation, testing, and scale-up; data recording and analysis; create and maintain specifications
• Source and develop new ingredients and/or processing technologies to create optimized solutions in the coating space
• Development of experimental plans with process engineering, appliance, packaging and manufacturing teams to test new technologies, assess feasibility and obtain consumer feedback
• Create and drive timelines, actions plans, reports, and presentations to manage and communicate progress. Make sound technical recommendations, influencing key stakeholders within the business.
• Educate cross functional partners on technical and scientific principles as necessary
• Represent beverage technical considerations including quality, stability, food safety, manufacturability, and functionality in appliance
• Positively influence and engage in a creative, performance driven culture

• Bachelor’s degree, in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related engineering discipline. Master’s or PhD preferred
• 6+ years of relevant experience, preferably within pharmaceuticals or industries with significant particle technology applications (e.g., chemicals, coatings, consumer products).
• Proficiency or familiarity in spray coating technologies (e.g., air-atomized, airless, ultrasonic, electrostatic, rotary atomizers).
• Demonstrated ability in experimental design and scale-up methodologies, including evaluating and modeling scale-dependent phenomena (e.g., droplet formation, drying kinetics, heat and mass transfer).
• Strong competence with analytical tools and software (e.g., JMP, Minitab, Python, MATLAB, CFD modeling software such as Ansys Fluent or COMSOL Multiphysics) for data analysis, interpretation, and visualization.
• Practical experience in equipment specification, design, and integration of spray equipment into pilot and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of formulation chemistry, rheology, and surface/interfacial properties relevant to spray performance and processability.
• Demonstrated capability in project management, including leading multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring timely delivery of project goals.
• Strong business orientation; ability to ask relevant questions, understand business case and consumer proposition
• Strong team player; experience in bringing teams/individuals together to deliver projects; exceptional thought and executional leadership

CAPABILITIES

• Self-motivated, takes initiative; influencing
• Highly collaborative communication and strong presentation skills
• Strategic thinker
• Ability to synthesize a vision/mission into tangible ideas that win with consumers
• Change readiness, resiliency and flexibility to thrive in a constantly-changing and fast moving organization
• Ability to travel heavily; 50%+ during certain periods of time

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with a portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partners brands and powerful distribution capabilities to provide a beverage for every need, anytime, anywhere. We operate with a differentiated business model and world-class brand portfolio, powered by a talented and engaged team that is anchored in our values. We work with big, exciting beverage brands and the #1 single-serve coffee brewing system in North America at KDP, and we have fun doing it!

Together, we have built a leading beverage company in North America offering hot and cold beverages together at scale. Whatever your area of expertise, at KDP you can be a part of a team that’s proud of its brands, partnerships, innovation, and growth. Will you join us?

We strive to be an employer of choice, providing a culture and opportunities that empower our team of ~29,000 employees to grow and develop. We offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well-being. We also provide employee programs designed to enhance your professional growth and development, while ensuring you feel valued, inspired and appreciated at work.

Keurig Dr Pepper is an equal opportunity employer and recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability or association with a person with a disability, medical condition, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.