Food Safety Analyst, R&D

CULTIVATE A BETTER WORLD

Food served fast does not have to be a typical fast-food experience. Chipotle has always done things differently, both in and out of our restaurants. We are changing the face of fast food, starting conversations, and directly supporting efforts to shift the future of farming and food. We hope you will join us as we continue to learn, evolve, and shape what comes next on our mission to make better food accessible to everyone.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As the Analyst, Food Safety Quality Assurance (R&D), you will play a key role in executing daily lab and test kitchen operations at the Chipotle Cultivate Center (CCC). You will be responsible for supporting the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) R&D team by executing sensory and quality evaluations across Chipotle’s full product portfolio within the CCC. You will partner closely with Culinary, Commercialization, and suppliers to ensure products meet Chipotle’s quality and food safety standards across the restaurant network, while generating insights to inform product decisions.

LOCATION

This position will be based at our Chipotle Cultivate Center in Irvine, CA near our Newport Beach Corporate Office. Remote work is not available for this role.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Conduct and support physical and analytical product evaluations across proteins, legumes, tortillas, dairy, RTE/RTD products, non-food items, and equipment.
• Analyze and synthesize evaluation results, generating reports and recaps that include sensory, analytical, and microbiological findings, along with recommended next steps for cross-functional teams and suppliers.
• Maintain and update R&D project trackers and timelines to reflect ongoing menu evaluations and product changes.
• Perform cleaning validations and verifications for new restaurant equipment and smallwares.
• Partner with FSQA and R&D teams to develop evaluation protocols and sensory tools aligned to product type and testing objectives (e.g., shelf life, product matching).
• Collaborate with suppliers and laboratory partners to collect samples, review results, and ensure business and quality documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Support root cause analysis of food quality issues in partnership with suppliers, gathering technical data and contributing to corrective action planning.
• Provide technical input into restaurant training materials and participate in working sessions to uphold food safety and quality standards.
• Participate in cross-functional project meetings to share updates on product status and R&D progress.
• Support kitchen test operations, including receiving and organizing sample shipments and maintaining cleanliness and organization.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE

• Bachelor of Science degree from a 4-year college or university in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or Food Microbiology required.
• 2–4 years of experience in restaurant, QSR, food manufacturing, or food science environments, with exposure to FSQA, R&D, or product development processes
• ServSafe Manager Certification is preferred; certification may also be obtained upon hire.
• Sensory training completed or willingness and ability to be trained required.
• Culinary training completed or willingness and ability to be trained preferred.
• Hands-on experience supporting product testing, sensory evaluation, shelf-life studies, or quality validation activities.
• Strong understanding of food science principles, sensory analysis, and food preparation techniques.
• Exposure to root cause analysis and corrective action processes within food quality or production environments with the ability to contribute to recommending actionable solutions
• Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives, including coordination with R&D, operations, and supply chain partners.
• Ability to analyze data, apply critical thinking, and communicate clear, actionable findings to cross-functional partners.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple samples, projects, and deadlines simultaneously
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical findings into practical insights
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and other tools used for data entry and reporting.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities; consistently following through on tasks and meeting established timelines.

PAY TRANSPARENCY

A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $77,000.00–$110,000.00. You are also eligible for annual cash bonuses and equity awards based upon performance and other factors. Actual compensation offered may vary depending on skill level, experience, and/or education. Chipotle offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, sick leave, vacation time, and much more. Visit https://jobs.chipotle.com/benefits for more details.

WHO WE ARE

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle has restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit

Chipotle Mexican Grill is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. As a people-first company rooted in values, our purpose extends beyond serving nutritious food using real ingredients. It means hiring world-class individuals and fostering a culture that champions diversity, ensures equity, and celebrates inclusion. All qualified applicants, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws. Please contact [email protected] if you need an accommodation due to a disability to complete an application, job interview, and/or to otherwise participate in the hiring process. This email does not respond to non-accommodations related requests.