R&D Technical Grower

About the role

The R&D Technical Grower supports Driscoll's Hybrid Seed Improvement Program and the R&D Nursery, producing high‑quality berries in controlled‑environment substrates. Based in Huamantla, the role focuses on irrigation, fertilization, environmental monitoring, pest and disease management, and advanced irrigation system operation while implementing new technologies and supervising staff.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and execute irrigation and fertilization programs to ensure consistent, high‑quality crop production.
• Monitor pests and implement preventive and curative spray programs in compliance with WPS and DPR regulations.
• Manage greenhouse environmental controls, cleaning, temperature, misting, and irrigation to prepare areas for new crops.
• Coordinate with greenhouse process supervisors and outdoor crop areas for maintenance needs.
• Hire, train, and supervise greenhouse staff, set development goals and annual objectives.
• Promote safety by leading training and participating in safety observation and pause programs.
• Work with the greenhouse manager and site operations manager on budgeting and resource allocation.
• Protect proprietary and confidential Driscoll's information and materials.

Required profile

• Engineer or Master’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, or related field with strong knowledge of horticultural crops, agronomy, plant physiology, and plant genetics.
• At least 5 years of experience cultivating plants in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems.
• Minimum 3 years of hands‑on agronomy experience from sowing to harvest of berry crops.
• 2+ years conducting research protocols and understanding plant health diagnostics.

Required skills

• Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems
• Irrigation system design and management
• Fertilization scheduling and application
• Pest monitoring and pesticide application (WPS/DPR compliance)
• Environmental control technologies for greenhouses
• Research protocol implementation
• Budget management