20 Plant-Based Seafood Careers Making Waves: Your Guide to Jobs in Sustainable Seafood Alternatives

20 Plant-Based Seafood Careers Making Waves: Your Guide to Jobs in Sustainable Seafood Alternatives

If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be writing about a job market for plant-based scallops and 3D-printed salmon, I would have raised an eyebrow. But here we are—standing at the edge of a revolution that’s reshaping both our oceans and our plates. The plant-based seafood industry is booming, propelled by a rising tide of consumer demand for sustainable, ethical, and innovative food options. Just how fast is this sector growing? According to GFI, plant-based seafood hit $42 million in global sales in 2023, and with a projected annual growth rate over 25%, it’s one of the hottest areas in food tech. Environmental studies show these products can use up to 95% less water and emit up to 80% less CO₂ than conventional seafood. With this momentum, companies like Plantish, Good Catch, and Oshi are not only reimagining what “fish” can be—they’re hiring at record pace. But it’s not just about scientists in lab coats. From chefs and engineers to marketers and supply chain pros, there’s a diverse ecosystem of roles powering this sustainable shift. After interviewing several professionals in the space—and as someone who transitioned from traditional seafood marketing into plant-based food tech—I’ve seen firsthand how these careers can make a tangible difference. So, if you’re curious about diving in, let’s chart a course through 20 of the most in-demand jobs, with real-world context, salary ranges, and insider tips to help you land a role with purpose.

Job Summaries:

Food Scientist – Plant-Based Seafood:

  • Design and test new seafood alternatives using ingredients like mung beans, microalgae, and pea protein.
  • A mix of lab and kitchen work, tweaking flavors and textures.
  • Creative problem-solvers with food science or chemistry degrees thrive here.
  • Salary: $65,000–$110,000.
  • Apply at Plantish.

Product Development Chef:

  • Create new recipes and prototypes, collaborating with R&D to perfect taste and presentation.
  • Requires a culinary degree and a flair for experimentation.
  • Salary: $60,000–$90,000.
  • Apply at Good Catch.

Texture and Sensory Specialist:

  • Recreate authentic seafood textures using extrusion and 3D printing.
  • Requires food engineering or sensory science background.
  • Salary: $70,000–$120,000.
  • Explore jobs at Oshi.

Ingredient Sourcing Manager:

  • Scout sustainable plant proteins and manage supply chain contracts.
  • Requires procurement experience and a sustainability mindset.
  • Salary: $75,000–$115,000.
  • Opportunities at Sophie’s Kitchen.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist:

  • Ensure compliance with food safety and labeling regulations across markets.
  • Requires a regulatory or food science background.
  • Salary: $70,000–$105,000.
  • Search on LinkedIn.

Quality Assurance Manager:

  • Oversee food safety and product quality on production floors.
  • Requires food manufacturing experience and HACCP certification.
  • Salary: $80,000–$130,000.
  • Start at New School Foods.

Food Safety Scientist:

  • Test for allergens, shelf-life, and contaminants in plant-based ingredients.
  • Requires a degree in food safety or microbiology.
  • Salary: $70,000–$110,000.
  • Jobs on Indeed.

R&D Project Manager:

  • Lead cross-functional teams from concept to launch.
  • Requires project management and food innovation experience.
  • Salary: $85,000–$140,000.
  • Openings on Glassdoor.

Bioprocess Engineer:

  • Scale up fermentation and texturization processes for plant-based seafood.
  • Requires chemical or biochemical engineering background.
  • Salary: $90,000–$150,000.
  • Find work at Good Food Jobs.

Food Marketing Specialist:

  • Develop campaigns to educate and inspire, from social media to B2B partnerships.
  • Requires marketing experience and passion for sustainability.
  • Salary: $60,000–$120,000.
  • Browse LinkedIn.

Application Scientist:

  • Test functional ingredients in recipes and support chefs and production teams.
  • Requires a food science degree and hands-on experience.
  • Salary: $70,000–$115,000.
  • Apply at Beyond Meat.

Culinary Innovation Specialist:

  • Invent new menu items and support restaurant rollouts.
  • Requires culinary background and creativity.
  • Salary: $55,000–$90,000.
  • See roles at Veganuary.

Sustainability Analyst:

  • Quantify and improve environmental footprints using carbon calculators and LCA.
  • Requires environmental science or sustainability degree.
  • Salary: $65,000–$100,000.
  • Jobs on Indeed.

Sensory Panel Coordinator:

  • Organize consumer taste tests and analyze data to refine products.
  • Requires sensory or consumer science experience.
  • Salary: $50,000–$80,000.
  • Find out more at IFT Job Center.

Packaging Engineer:

  • Develop eco-friendly packaging for plant-based seafood.
  • Requires packaging science or engineering degree.
  • Salary: $70,000–$120,000.
  • Openings at Loop.

Supply Chain Logistics Coordinator:

  • Manage efficient movement of ingredients and products from factory to table.
  • Requires logistics or supply chain experience.
  • Salary: $55,000–$95,000.
  • Check Indeed.

Consumer Outreach Specialist:

  • Educate the public through demos, workshops, and social media.
  • Requires background in education, nutrition, or communications.
  • Salary: $45,000–$75,000.
  • Opportunities at ChooseVeg.

Process Development Scientist:

  • Optimize manufacturing for efficiency and consistency.
  • Requires food science, engineering, or biotech degree.
  • Salary: $80,000–$130,000.
  • Apply at Impossible Foods.

Innovation Strategy Consultant:

  • Advise companies on trends, investments, and product launches.
  • Requires business strategy or food tech background.
  • Salary: $90,000–$200,000 (consulting/project-based).
  • Find gigs at Forward Fooding.

Brand Ambassador:

  • Represent brands at events, in stores, and online.
  • Requires outgoing personality and communication skills.
  • Salary: $35,000–$65,000 plus bonuses.
  • Check Oshi Careers.

If you’re looking to blend purpose and innovation in your career, the plant-based seafood industry is overflowing with opportunity. From scientists and chefs to marketers and logistics pros, there’s space for every skill set—and a real chance to make a difference for our oceans, our health, and our food future. Will you be part of the next plant-based breakthrough? Your new career could be just a click away.

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