Lab Formulation Engineer

LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics; Chinese Camp (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LVMH Recherche is seeking a Lab Formulation Engineer to accelerate innovation by collaborating with external partners and transforming briefs into novel cosmetic products.

You will drive formulation development, ensure regulatory compliance, and present validated innovations to internal brands for buy-in, while aiming for cost and performance targets and maintaining laboratory safety and traceability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or master level chemistry or related science background.
• Minimum 5 years in a similar formulation role in cosmetics.
• Experience with regulatory and toxicological constraints is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive Innovation through external partnerships and co-development of novel materials.
• Develop and prototype new cosmetic formulations aligned with briefs and standards.
• Prepare technical dossiers and samples for internal and external approvals.

Skills

Team spirit

Customer oriented

Result oriented

Initiative

Rigorous

Organized

Methodical

Agility

Flexibility

Tenacity

Product enthusiasm

Curiosity

Learning mindset

Education

Chemistry degree (Master preferred)

Tools

Rheometer

pH meter

Viscometer

Spectrophotometer

Job description

MISSION

Accelerate innovation through external partnerships while transforming marketing briefs into products.

Ensure rigorous compliance with quality, safety, hygiene, and environmental standards.

WORK AND METHODS

Lab formulation Engineer missions:

• Drive Innovation

Identify breakthrough opportunities through competitive product analysis and emerging market trends.

Supplier connections : strategic partnerships with suppliers and specialized local subcontractors to co-develop novel materials/processes.

Rapidly prototype novel formulations.

Present validated innovations to diverse internal brands to secure buy-in.

• Develop new formulas

Develop new formulas in line with marketing briefs, quality standards and regulatory and toxicological constraints.

Execute comprehensive formulation tests, including stability monitoring, physical characterisation, and cosmetic evaluations.

Prepare and submit technical dossiers and samples to various internal and external partners for approval.

Adjust materials/processes to meet cost, sensory, and performance targets.

Close collaboration with AIC partners and Helios team.

• Project management

Report information and risks to line management and/or project manager.

Ensure the handover of the project to the industrialisation phase and monitor stabilities.

Ensure traceability of actions in day-to-day tools.

Ensure project completion by drafting problem resolution sheets, project reports or control sheets.

• Continuous improvement in the laboratory

Participate in the smooth running of the laboratory: cleanliness and tidiness of work areas, Raw material management.

Drive continuous improvement and laboratory safety.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Immediately escape any issue, operational failure, or potential risk that may impact LVMH Recherche's brand integrity, legal responsibility, or corporate reputation through designated channels.

PROFILE

• Chemistry & related scientific training in university (master is preferred)
• With 5 years minimum of working experiences in similar position

State Of Mind And Know-how

• Have a team spirit and team working capability
• Be customer oriented
• Be result oriented
• Show initiative
• Show leaning motivation and growing attitude
• Respectful of EHS rules
• Demonstrate initiative, Rigorous, organized and methodical
• Agility, flexibility and tenacity
• Have an appetite for the product
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• Sensory enthusiasm
• Market connected creativity

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge in chemistry & physico-chemistry
• Comprehensive understanding of cosmetic raw materials and their functional characteristics
• End-to-end product development process expertise (from concept to industrialization)
• Ability to analyse project requirements and design optimised formulation plans
• Working knowledge of global cosmetic regulations (EU, FDA, CHINA)
• Proficiency in handling analytical instruments (rheometers, pH meters, viscometers, spectrophotometers)
• Skills in diagnosing technical issues through data-driven insights
• Capacity to synthesize complex data into structured written reports
• Clear oral presentation of technical findings to cross-functional teams
• Sensory evaluation techniques for texture/fragrance assessment

RELATIONAL NETWORK

• Internal: AIC China team, AIC Japan , AIC Seoul and all LVMH Recherche Departments
• External: R&D of cosmetics company