Lead Cosmetic Formulation Scientist & Lab Leader

PROJECT CHEMISTRY INC; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Chemistry Inc. in Irvine, CA is seeking a Lead R&D Formulation Chemist & Lab Manager to lead advanced cosmetic formulations and manage our day-to-day R&D laboratory on-site.

This full-time, on-site role combines bench formulation with team leadership, mentoring junior chemists, coordinating projects, maintaining lab safety and documentation, and driving successful scale-up with contract manufacturers.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related field.
• Cosmetic Science degree strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of hands-on cosmetic formulation experience.
• Independent leadership of formulation projects from concept through scale-up.
• Experience mentoring junior chemists, laboratory staff, or R&D teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and batching of cosmetic products across skincare, haircare, body care, sun care, and other categories.
• Develop stable, high-performance formulas balancing efficacy, sensorials, cost, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead troubleshooting, solubility mapping, and incorporation strategies for novel ingredients and actives.
• Manage R&D projects, priorities, timelines, and workload across the laboratory team.
• Assign projects and responsibilities to junior chemists and provide technical guidance.
• Mentor, train, and support junior staff while promoting laboratory best practices.
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations to keep the lab organized, safe, and efficient.
• Support scale-up, pilot production, technology transfer, and manufacturing troubleshooting with contract manufacturers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and present formulation strategies and technical rationale to clients.

Skills

Lead formulation

Project management

Mentoring

Laboratory supervision

Client collaboration

Education

BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science

Cosmetic Science degree strongly preferred

Job description

Project Chemistry Inc. in Irvine, CA is seeking a Lead R&D Formulation Chemist & Lab Manager to lead advanced cosmetic formulations and manage our day-to-day R&D laboratory on-site.

This full-time, on-site role combines bench formulation with team leadership, mentoring junior chemists, coordinating projects, maintaining lab safety and documentation, and driving successful scale-up with contract manufacturers.