Director, Product Science & Development

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 thi…