Director, Product Science & Development
Green Thumb · Chicago · $150,000–$180,000 (stated in the posting)
The Role
The Director of Product Science & Development is a hands-on scientist responsible for the science behind the company’s extraction and vape-formulation processes. The role focuses on extracted cannabis products across two domains: solvent-based extraction (both cured and fresh-frozen live) and solventless extraction, and on turning those extracts into high-performing vape products. This is a bench- and process-focused role. The Director works closely with the extraction, production, quality, and innovation teams as the technical expert on extraction chemistry and vape formulation, driving yield, quality, potency, terpene retention, and product consistency through rigorous experimentation and process optimization.
This position must be based out of one of our facilities with the ability to travel up to 50% depending on the candidate's location. Relocation package available.
Responsibilities
Extraction Science – Solvent-Based (Cured & Fresh-Frozen Live)
- Own the science behind solvent-based (e.g., hydrocarbon) extraction of both cured and fresh-frozen live cannabis, optimizing yield, potency, and terpene retention.
- Manage fresh-frozen live resin extraction, maintaining cold-chain and cryogenic handling from harvest through extraction and accounting for the elevated moisture of fresh-frozen inputs, to preserve volatile terpenes and produce live products (live resin, sauce, badder, diamonds).
- Develop and refine parameters across the extraction workflow – material prep and moisture, solvent ratios, temperature and pressure, winterization/dewaxing, decarboxylation, and solvent purging – to meet target product specifications.
- Optimize post-processing (distillation, terpene reintroduction, high-terpene-extract production) for cured- and live-resin inputs destined for vape.
- Characterize inputs and outputs (cannabinoid and terpene profiles, residual solvents) and translate analytical results into process adjustments.
Extraction Science – Solventless (Ice-Water Hash & Rosin)
- Own the science behind solventless extraction, including ice-water hash washing and rosin pressing.
- Optimize wash parameters (agitation, water temperature, micron fractions, drying/freeze-drying) and press parameters (temperature, pressure, time, bag micron) to balance yield and quality.
- Develop cold-cure and post-press handling protocols that preserve terpene content and texture for vape-bound rosin.
- Establish grading and selection criteria for solventless material moving into vape formulation.
Vape Formulation
- Formulate vape products from both solvent-based extracts (distillate, cured resin, HTE) and solventless inputs (live/cured rosin), tuning viscosity to specific cartridge and hardware platforms.
- Optimize terpene incorporation and blends (cannabis-derived and botanical) for flavor, potency, and stability.
- Engineer against clogging, hot spots, hardware/material interactions, discoloration, and flavor drop-off.
- Establish stability, viscosity, and clarity controls (e.g., preventing separation or crystallization) across shelf life.
Process Development & Optimization
- Design and run bench and pilot experiments (DOE) to improve yield, quality, consistency, and cost across extraction and vape formulation.
- Translate optimized bench processes into repeatable, documented production procedures and support technology transfer to extraction and cartridge-filling teams.
- Author SOPs, formulas, and specifications for extraction and vape processes.
Quality, Stability & Compliance
- Define product and process specifications and stability/shelf-life programs for extracts and vape products.
- Partner with QA/QC and analytical labs on potency, terpene, residual-solvent, pesticide, and heavy-metal testing; interpret COAs and drive corrective action on out-of-specification results.
- Ensure extraction and formulation processes comply with applicable state cannabis regulations and safety standards, including solvent-handling requirements.
External Testing Oversight
- Own and run GTI’s national external testing program end to end, serving as the primary point of accountability and the direct liaison to all contracted third-party laboratories.
- Hold third-party laboratories accountable for the accuracy, integrity, turnaround, and compliance of test results across the facility network, and adjudicate disputed or out-of-specification outcomes.
- Qualify and periodically re-evaluate third-party labs and maintain the roster of approved testing partners.
- Track and trend third-party lab performance – turnaround times, failure rates, dispute and retest outcomes – and translate testing signals into extraction and formulation process improvements.
- Develop and enforce external testing SOPs, dispute-resolution protocols, and COA and accreditation documentation, keeping them aligned with state regulations and in partnership with Quality, Compliance, and Procurement.
Collaboration
- Partner with Innovation as the scientific lead on new product development – assessing feasibility, developing formulations and methods, and guiding concepts from ideation through launch – across vape and the broader infused-product portfolio, including edibles and other marijuana-infused products (MIPs) that rely on the extracts and distillate this role produces and characterizes.
- Work with extraction, production, quality, and procurement teams to support scale-up, sourcing, and continuous improvement.
- Individual-contributor role that leads through technical expertise and influence.
Required Qualifications
- Education: PhD, Master’s, or Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related scientific field – or equivalent hands-on extraction experience.
- Extraction experience: Demonstrated hands-on experience with cannabis extraction across solvent-based (hydrocarbon) and solventless (ice-water hash / rosin) methods.
- Vape formulation: Experience formulating cannabis vape products and tuning them to specific hardware.
- Technical depth: Strong grounding in extraction chemistry, terpene chemistry, and stability/shelf-life fundamentals.
- Analytical fluency: Ability to interpret COAs and potency, terpene, and residual-solvent data and translate results into process changes.
- Compliance: Familiarity with cannabis manufacturing safety and quality requirements, including solvent handling and production documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct multi-state cannabis extraction experience.
- Hydrocarbon extraction experience operating in C1D1-rated environments.
- Production-scale rosin press and freeze-dry experience.
- Vape hardware qualification and terpene-formulation experience.
- Lean / Six Sigma or applied DOE / statistical-process experience.
Additional Requirements
- Must pass any and all required background checks
- Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
- Must possess valid driver’s license
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry
#LI-ONSITE
The pay range is competitive and based on experience, qualifications, and/or location of the role. Positions may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program driven by organization and individual performance.
Green Thumb Pay Range
$150,000—$180,000 USD