Senior Scientist - New Product Development

About the role

Advance innovative oral nicotine products for next-generation reduced-harm solutions at a Fortune 500 company. We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist - New Product Development - to join Altria's Growth Org and Front-End Innovation Technical team in Richmond, Virginia. In this role, you will develop and optimize lab-scale processes, build and evaluate prototypes, and generate technical learnings that help advance early-stage oral nicotine concepts toward feasibility, regulatory readiness, and commercialization.

What you will be doing

• Develop and optimize lab-scale processing approaches, including material handling and fabrication techniques, to translate early concepts into feasible product formats.
• Plan and execute rapid prototyping studies to build, test, and iterate oral nicotine concepts against targeted product performance attributes.
• Apply ingredient selection, controlled-release approaches, and materials processing techniques to develop product prototypes with targeted performance attributes.
• Perform analytical testing and material characterization to guide process adjustments and inform design iterations.
• Establish and sustain lab-scale equipment, workflows, and capabilities that support rapid prototyping and early feasibility assessments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners and project teams to translate prototype learnings into technical recommendations and business decisions.
• Document process innovations, experimental learnings, and technical findings to support knowledge capture and intellectual property protection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer science, food science, pharmaceutical science, or related discipline.
• Product development, formulation, or applied research experience: BS 4+ years, MS 2+ years, or PhD 0+ years.
• Hands-on experience with analytical testing, material characterization, and data interpretation for product or process development.
• Knowledge of food or pharmaceutical processing, formulation development, ingredient functionality, and experimental data analysis.
• Laboratory experience handling hazardous chemicals, including nicotine, with appropriate safety practices and controls highly preferred.
• Strong execution, collaboration, communication, and prioritization skills in a fast-moving technical project environment.

Pay

The Salary Range for this position is: $91,500.00 - $132,750.00.

Benefits

• Work where connection and flexibility meet — enjoy the benefits of in-person collaboration three days a week (Tuesday - Thursday), while maintaining the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.
• Own your time — start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, and a 37.5-hour workweek.
• A place where you belong — where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real.
• Get recognized for your work — annual merit increases and performance bonus.
• A future you can count on — 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing, an annual company contribution in an amount equal to 13%–17% of your base salary.
• Help with your goals — get help with student loan repayment assistance, attend a conference, or gain a new certification with professional development stipends.
• Support for what matters most — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Celebrating your milestones — paid parental and bonding leave for life's biggest moments.
• Wellness that goes beyond work — programs that care for your whole well-being at whatever stage you are in your life.
• A culture that gives back — paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Schedule

• Hybrid work schedule: in-person collaboration three days a week (Tuesday - Thursday), remote work on Mondays and Fridays.
• 37.5-hour workweek.