Product Development Internship

About the Role

CJ Schwan’s is offering a 12-week Product Development Internship during Summer 2027. The internship will take place in La Palma, CA, from May 24 to August 13, 2027. Interns will focus on sauces for frozen or shelf-stable food products, working on real-world projects with direct relevance to their coursework. This experience offers opportunities for strategic project ownership, interaction with company executives and senior leaders, and guidance from industry experts. Internships at Schwan's may lead to full-time roles after graduation.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Food Scientists to develop new products, enhance existing ones, and identify opportunities for process improvements.
• Prepare experimental formulas, processing techniques, and product specifications under guidance.
• Support lab and pilot plant test runs.
• Collect, record, and document test results and observations.
• Assist in evaluating alternative ingredients for product quality, cost reduction, or supply resilience.
• Verify preparation instructions and document product performance, quality, and sensory attributes.
• Conduct literature reviews and competitive product assessments to identify trends and innovation opportunities.
• Assist in scaling prototypes from lab to production.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and support adherence to food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate test findings and recommendations in reports, presentations, or demonstrations.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Current enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program in Food Science or a related field (e.g., Bakery Science, Meat Science, Dairy Science, Culinary Science).
• Anticipated graduation date of December 2027 or May 2028.
• Foundational understanding of food science or related disciplines.
• Awareness of product development, food safety, and quality standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to collect, interpret, and present data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, follow laboratory protocols, and meet project timelines.
• Collaborative mindset.
• Eagerness to learn.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to connect technical findings to consumer and business needs.
• Experience with lab or statistical software is a plus.
• GPA of 3.0+ preferred.