Development Performance Scientist

Who We Are:

Minnesota United FC (MNUFC) is a professional soccer club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top tier of soccer in North America. As a club driven by passion and community, we operate under the oversight of the U.S. Soccer Federation, a member of FIFA. Our headquarters are in Golden Valley, MN, with soccer operations based at the MNUFC Training Center in Blaine. On matchdays, we call Allianz Field in St. Paul home—one of the premier soccer-specific stadiums in the country.

Position:

The Development Performance Scientist is part of the Sporting Operations department for Minnesota United FC (MNUFC), a sports business located in the Twins Cities area of Minnesota and a member of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top tier soccer league in North America.

Position Summary:
Minnesota United FC is looking for a Development Performance Scientist to lead the development and readiness of our MNUFC2 & Academy players throughout the season. This role is central to helping athletes perform at their best.

As a key member of our Performance Team, you’ll design and implement training plans that align with the demands of soccer, contribute to return-to-play strategies, and apply scientific knowledge to improve performance. You’ll report to the Head of Performance, working and collaborating daily with technical, medical, and support staff to ensure our MNUFC2 & Academy players are prepared for the MLS Next Pro & MLS Next seasons.

We’re looking for someone who brings a high level of expertise and sweats the details, with a people-first mindset, someone who leads with consistency and care.

Why You’ll Love It Here:
At MNUFC, we’re building a championship culture by focusing on the daily work that drives performance and strengthens our team. As our Development Performance Scientist, you’ll play a key role in preparing players to meet the demands of the season while creating a professional, high-trust environment where they can thrive.

We invest in each other, grow as a team, and believe that every person plays a meaningful role in shaping who we are as a Club. If you sweat the details, thrive in a team environment, and are committed to helping others succeed, we’d love to have you on our team.

What You’ll Do:

• Collaborate with the Development Strength & Conditioning Specialist to provide high-level programming for Development (MNUFC2 and Academy) Players
• Design and implement safe and effective warm up and movement preparation sessions
• Assist and supervise activation, strength training & recovery sessions
• Collect GPS session/game data and provide relevant feedback to coaching staff, medical staff and players
• Educate and counsel all Development players regarding strategies to improve performance
• Work with medical staff to design and modify return to play training load parameters for post-rehabilitation Players
• Assist with management of all IDP documentation to evaluate player performance
• Manage all incoming testing & performance data streams for all Development Players
• Help maintain appearance, safe functionality, and organization of equipment in the weight facility, as well as educate and enforce weight room rules
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills required to work effectively with Development Players, Coaches, other Club personnel, and MLS Next and MLS Next Pro staff
• Comply with all MLS Next and MLS Next Pro medical policies and procedures
• Attend activities/meetings/programs as required by MLS Next and MLS Next Pro
• Provide support to First Team Performance Scientist where necessary, including management of player movement and training load between teams, end stage rehabilitation, additional conditioning sessions, testing etc.
• Travel to select MLS Next and MLS Next Pro events
• Such other duties and services as may reasonably be assigned by Club to Employee that are consistent with employment as a Performance Scientist for a team in MLS Next and MLS Next Pro

What You’ll Bring:

• 1+ years of full-time experience in strength and conditioning at the professional level OR 3+ years at the MLS NEXT, Elite Academy, NCAA, U SPORTS, or comparable youth level
  
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential
  
• Proven ability in key performance domains: designing soccer-specific exercises, plyometrics, SAQ (speed/agility/quickness) development, specific and non-specific energy system development, flexibility, recovery, injury prevention, nutrition, sports science, and analytics
  
• Strong proficiency in data analysis related to performance and wellness, with an ability to communicate key takeaways clearly and effectively
  
• Ability to work closely with athletes, coaches, and multidisciplinary staff in a high-pressure, team-focused environment
  
• Experience with GPS technology and software (Catapult, Statsports, WIMU) with the ability to generate and analyze physical reports
  
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and performance tracking software, Excel and PowerBI preferred
  
• Spanish language skills are preferred
  
• Ability to lift, move, and demonstrate exercises with up to 50 pounds of force; must be comfortable spotting lifts and guiding athletes safely through complex movements
  

Compensation and Benefits: 

Minnesota United FC values the contributions of our team members and is committed to transparency in our compensation practices. The compensation range for this full-time role is $50,000 - $60,000 annually, with the final offer based on experience and qualifications.

We provide a competitive benefits package that includes health coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and additional perks to support you both personally and professionally.

MNUFC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.