Culinary Developer (f/m/d)

Our Mission

At Circus, headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin and Hamburg, we are pioneering global developments in on-demand autonomous food production. From culinary creation to production and operations, everything is powered by seamlessly integrated robotics and transformative AI.

Our foundation lies in groundbreaking advancements in robotics, driven by artificial intelligence — the long-missing link in realizing fully autonomous food automation. The time has come for a new status quo: just as autonomous vehicles are reshaping our cities and daily lives, we are redefining the entire experience of food.

Our team brings together leading minds in Robotics, AI, Engineering, and Culinary, working closely with industry-leading partners to revolutionize how food is prepared, accessed, and experienced.
Join us as we shape a future where the art of cooking meets the science of technology — and where food becomes something fundamentally new.

About the Role

As our Culinary Developer at Circus Group, you will drive the creation and systematization of dishes that can be executed consistently in our robotic kitchens, while also adapting and delivering culinary concepts in collaboration with clients.

This dual role combines culinary R&D and client delivery, with a strong focus on working hand-in-hand with our Supply Chain team to ensure ingredient sourcing, availability, and scalability.

You will work closely with R&D, engineering, operations, supply chain, and client-facing teams to ensure our future brands deliver exceptional food quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Your Daily Business

Research & Development

• Create, test, and optimize dishes and menus for our robotic kitchen platform.
• Adapt recipes for automation, ensuring reproducibility, consistency, and quality at scale.
• Partner with the Supply Chain team to evaluate ingredient availability, sourcing options, sustainability, and cost-efficiency.
• Conduct food testing sessions, including sensory evaluations, and document outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate culinary concepts into robotic workflows.

Client Delivery

• Translate client requirements into scalable culinary solutions aligned with Circus’s technology and supply chain realities.
• Co-develop branded food concepts with clients and the commercial team.
• Customize menus for local preferences, dietary needs, and regional ingredient availability.
• Work with the Supply Chain team to align client-facing solutions with feasible sourcing and logistics.
• Support client rollouts by training internal and external stakeholders on new dishes and processes.
• Act as a culinary ambassador for Circus, representing our innovation with clients and partners.

Base Qualifications

• Trained Chef and/or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Technology, Hospitality Management, or related field.
• Proven experience in culinary development, ideally within food tech, franchise, or leading food service environments.
• Strong background in recipe creation and systematization, with knowledge of global cuisines and cooking techniques.
• Experience working closely with Supply Chain or Procurement functions (ingredient sourcing, vendor collaboration, cost management).
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and (ideally) automated or scaled food operations.
• Ability to analyze food tests and understand the scientific principles of preparation and preservation.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Fluent in English; German is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Client-facing experience (co-developing menus, presenting concepts, or consulting).
• Certification in food safety and sanitation.
• Experience working at the intersection of culinary, supply chain, and technology.

Our Offer

• Competitive Compensation: Receive a competitive compensation package with offered stock options for full-time employees.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy regular team events, a hybrid work setup, 2 months/year remote work (Worcation), and unlimited vacation days, along with a corporate pension plan.
• Personal Development: 500€ personal budget for training, in-house trainings, and growth opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
• Mobility: Benefit from a 50€ monthly budget for mobility or other expenses and a subsidized Dance Mobility Subscription for E-Bike/E-Moped.
• Well-Being: Get access to discounted Urban Sports Club membership and Wellhub for a variety of well-being offerings.