---
title: 'Associate Principal Scientist, Innovation - Scientific Affairs at Liquid I.V.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-principal-scientist-innovation-scientific-affairs-liquid-i-v-el-xhdw7twyrh1s'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Associate Principal Scientist, Innovation - Scientific Affairs at Liquid I.V.

- **Company:** Liquid I.V.
- **Location:** El Segundo, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-07-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/liquidiv/jobs/4324971009

## Job description

About Liquid I.V.

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the role. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to the company’s mission, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Liquid I.V.

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know that the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives that encourage new ways of solving problems, so we strive to attract and develop talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Liquid I.V. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About our Team:

We are a world-class team of innovators and passionate change-makers, looking to develop transformative hydration solutions and make a meaningful impact on the world around us.

At Liquid I.V., we are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve.

Our team members enjoy a flexible and inclusive working environment, a highly collaborative and innovation-forward culture, generous benefits and perks that empower employees to champion their wellbeing every day, as well as an infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for extraordinary hydration.

About the role:

Liquid I.V. is looking for a creative and highly technical Associate Principal Scientist, Innovation - Scientific Affairs to help lead and execute delivery of our exciting new product innovation pipeline. Reporting to the Manager of Innovation and Claims, this role is highly cross functional and will engage with all levels of the organization cross-functionally along with Unilever counterparts.

The ideal candidate will hold the bar high in delivering innovative concepts, ingredients and technologies leading to undeniable product superiority. They are well informed and plugged into industry trends. They are highly technical while maintain a business forward approach and are not only capable of designing/executing experiments independently, but to also communicating their findings to both technical and non-technical business partners.

The successful candidate is equal parts scientist, trend scout, and innovation strategist, someone who is passionate about translating cutting-edge science into commercially compelling concepts.

They will continuously explore new ingredients, supplier capabilities, clinical evidence, and consumer trends, transforming insights into science-backed product concepts that influence our innovation pipeline from ideation through commercialization.

This is an opportunity for someone who thrives on discovering what's next and helping take Liquid I.V. to new heights through differentiated, science-led innovation.

Functions and duties of this role include, but not limited to:

- Serve as a Scientific Affairs lead in the innovation engine, partnering with R&D, Regulatory, Brand Innovation, and other cross-functional teams to shape early-stage concepts and sprint work
- Scout globally for emerging science, ingredients, technologies and white space opportunities to inform the innovation pipeline and support differentiated benefit platforms
- Contribute to pipeline prioritization by assessing scientific feasibility, ingredient rationale, dosing considerations, mechanism alignment, and differentiation potential
- Design and support claims substantiation strategies aligned with product concepts, regulatory requirements, and commercialization needs
- Influence formulation development by ensuring alignment between scientific rationale, technical feasibility, ingredient selection, and intended product benefits
- Influence Innovation Strategy to drive science forward innovative thinking
- Maintain internal scientific databases, evidence tools, and knowledge-sharing resources to support efficient retrieval, reuse, and organizational learning
- Co-develop technology tool-kits and processes (i.e ingredients, suppliers, formats, etc) with Product Development, Marketing, and Supply Chain to best enable rapid ideation and prototype work.

Qualifications:

- Master’s degree in nutrition, exercise physiology, or related field
- 6+ years of relevant experience in scientific affairs, R&D, or innovation within CPG, dietary supplements, or functional foods with a strong track record of new product launches within the category
- Deep expertise and experience with a variety of dietary supplement ingredients, suppliers, and functional formats (preferred).
- Demonstrated experience supporting innovation engines from concept through commercialization
- Experience working cross-functionally with brand innovation, product development, regulatory affairs and other business groups
- Experience leveraging AI tools and platforms
- Ability to assess scientific feasibility of concepts, ingredients, and benefit territories
- Strong knowledge of dietary supplements, functional foods, and health claims
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific information into clear and concise messages
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Citation Managers, and PubMed
- Detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated

What We Give:

- 100% company-paid medical, dental and vision insurance for employees (PPO, HMO and Kaiser options).
- A 401k plan with company match, short and long-term disability coverage.
- A generous PTO and sick policy that includes 13+ paid annual holidays.
- Wellness classes (fitness, mental health, nutrition, finance, etc.).
- An Employee Assistance Program, including membership for guided meditation for all employees.
- Monthly tech and wellness reimbursement.
- An infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for endless hydration!

Work Environment:

- This role is HYBRID (El Segundo, CA) office environment with flexibility for industry events.  Travel 20%-30% of the time.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

The compensation band for this position is $116,100 - $174,100 annually. The exact salary is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal company equity, and budget. The listed range is applicable only to the annual base salary and does not include additional perks, benefits, or applicable bonus eligibility comprising the total compensation package.

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the role. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to the company’s mission, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Liquid I.V.

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know that the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives that encourage new ways of solving problems, so we strive to attract and develop talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Liquid I.V. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

You can find the Unilever privacy note [here](https://www.unilevernotices.com/recruitment-notices/recruitment-privacy-notice.html)

## About Liquid I.V.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Liquid I.V. is a functional hydration company that produces powdered electrolyte drink mixes designed to hydrate faster and more efficiently than water alone.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Acquired by Unilever PLC in 2020)
- **Headquarters**: El Segundo, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2012
- **Founders**: Hayden Fulstone (Co-Founder)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Functional beverages, Consumer packaged goods (CPG), Wellness
- Target customers: B2C (health-conscious consumers, athletes, travelers, parents) and B2B (retailers like Costco, Target, Walmart, CVS, Amazon)
- Mission or purpose statement: "We exist to elevate the vitality of people and planet." The company believes water access is a fundamental human right and is committed to a healthier world for all.

## Products & Services
- **Hydration Multiplier®**: The flagship product, a powdered electrolyte drink mix that uses LIV HYDRASCIENCE™ to deliver hydration faster than water alone. Contains 3x more electrolytes than leading sports drinks.
- **Hydration Multiplier® Sugar-Free**: A zero-sugar version of the flagship product.
- **Hydration Multiplier® + Energy**: An enhanced formula with added energy-supporting ingredients.
- **Hydration Multiplier® + Immune Support**: Formulated with vitamins to support immune health.
- **Hydration Multiplier® + Kids**: A version tailored for children.
- **Hydration Multiplier® + Gut Health**: Contains prebiotics and probiotics for digestive wellness.
- **Hydration Multiplier® + Sleep**: Designed to support restful sleep with ingredients like melatonin.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (acquired by Unilever in 2020 for an undisclosed amount; prior to acquisition, the company had raised $10M in funding).
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of approximately **$100M** (as of latest estimates).
- **Total Funding**: $10M prior to acquisition (Series B led by CircleUp in 2018 and a venture round in 2019).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company Unilever PLC. Key retail partners include Costco, Target, Walmart, CVS, Amazon. Impact partners include DigDeep, Save The Children, and MAP International.
- **Growth Signals**: 
    - Headcount of 264 employees (+15.2% YoY).
    - Available in over 40,000 retail doors nationwide.
    - Operations in 6 countries (US, Canada, Brazil, India, Australia, Nepal).
    - 50,078 LinkedIn followers (+39% YoY).
    - Committed to donating 150 million servings globally by 2032 (over 62 million donated as of 2024).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary Technology**: The LIV HYDRASCIENCE™ formula is a key differentiator, clinically backed and designed for superior hydration efficiency.
- **Brand Dominance**: The #1 powdered hydration brand in America, with a strong, recognizable brand and a loyal customer base.
- **Massive Distribution Network**: Presence in over 40,000 retail doors including top national retailers like Costco, Target, and Walmart.
- **Unilever Backing**: Access to the resources, supply chain, and global reach of a major CPG conglomerate (Unilever PLC).
- **Strong Social Mission**: The Impact Program (donating over 1% of revenue) and water access initiatives create strong brand affinity and purpose-driven marketing.

## Strategic Focus
- **Global Expansion**: Scaling internationally while maintaining brand purpose and quality.
- **Product Innovation**: Continuously expanding the product line with new functional variants (e.g., Gut Health, Sleep, Energy).
- **Sustainability**: Working towards zero-waste packaging and committing to provide 2 million people with increased access to clean water by 2026.
- **Retail Growth**: Deepening relationships with existing retail partners and expanding into new channels.

## Why Work Here
- **Compelling Mission**: Employees are part of a company with a strong social purpose—elevating the vitality of people and the planet—and a tangible impact program.
- **Comprehensive Benefits**: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (PPO, HMO, Kaiser options); 401k with company match; short/long-term disability; generous PTO and 13+ paid holidays; wellness classes; monthly tech & wellness reimbursement; employee assistance program; pet insurance.
- **Culture & Perks**: Described as a "growing company" focused on helping people "grow into the best version of themselves." Includes an infinite supply of Liquid I.V. products.
- **Work Model**: Based in El Segundo, CA (Los Angeles area). Job postings indicate a preference for candidates within commuting distance.
- **Engineering Culture**: Roles span Marketing, Operations, Sales, Finance, R&D, Data, Analytics, and more. The company values innovation and challenging the norm.
- **Active Hiring**: 14 active job postings (as of latest data), with strong monthly growth in postings (+133.3%), indicating a scaling organization.

## Sources
1. [Liquid I.V. Careers Page](https://www.liquid-iv.com/pages/careers)
2. [Liquid I.V. About Us](https://www.liquid-iv.com/pages/about-us)
3. [Liquid I.V. LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/liquid-i-v-)
4. [Liquid I.V. Job Application (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/liquidiv/jobs/4017660009)
5. [Liquid I.V. Website](https://www.liquid-iv.com/)

## Other roles at Liquid I.V.

- [Order Management Coordinator (Temp)](https://feeny.ai/job/order-management-coordinator-temp-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-cfe4r2jbpnca) — El Segundo, CA
- [Creative Director](https://feeny.ai/job/creative-director-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-nq2menpm4pnv) — El Segundo, CA
- [Order to Cash Finance Deductions Analyst (contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/order-to-cash-finance-deductions-analyst-contract-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-dfznr9x4ghza) — El Segundo, CA
- [Director, Head of Social & Influencer](https://feeny.ai/job/director-head-of-social-influencer-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-qxqkfyzk787k) — El Segundo, CA
- [Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/project-manager-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-3bhy85fp5eb8) — El Segundo, CA
- [FINANCE CHANGE PROJECTS – ANALYST/SENIOR ANALYST(Contractor)](https://feeny.ai/job/finance-change-projects-analyst-senior-analyst-contractor-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-2fdznx7bgh04) — El Segundo, CA
- [Senior Finance Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-finance-analyst-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-9ffaravxh102) — El Segundo, CA
- [D365 Technical Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/d365-technical-analyst-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-tjfhktcpqym1) — El Segundo, CA
- [Order Management Coordinator – Food Channel](https://feeny.ai/job/order-management-coordinator-food-channel-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-tx75hdx3rjy6) — El Segundo, CA
- [Manager, eCommerce Technology](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-ecommerce-technology-liquid-i-v-el-segundo-r8nnb22s92kg) — El Segundo, CA