Lead R&D Formulation Chemist & Lab Manager, Cosmetics

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 is dedicated to transforming the beauty industry with innovative and advanced biotech-driven formulations. We strive to redefine possibilities in science to offer advanced end-to-end solutions. Our mission is to empower emerging and established beauty brands with groundbreaking products that set new standards in beauty. By bridging technology and creativity, we aim to lead the way in beauty innovation. If you love experimenting in the lab, exploring new technologies, and pushing formulation boundaries, you’ll feel right at home here.

Role Description

We’re looking for an experienced, creative, and hands-on Lead R&D Formulation Chemist & Lab Manager to join our growing team in Irvine, CA.

This is a full-time, on-site role combining advanced cosmetic formulation with leadership of our day-to-day R&D laboratory. The position will lead the development of innovative cosmetic products, solve complex formulation challenges, manage projects and laboratory priorities, and help ensure work moves efficiently across the R&D team.

The Lead Chemist will remain highly involved at the bench while also managing and mentoring junior staff, assigning and tracking projects, maintaining an organized and effective laboratory environment, and driving high standards across formulation development, documentation, and execution.

Key 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 or challenging ingredients and actives
• Manage R&D projects, priorities, timelines, and workload allocation across the laboratory team
• Assign projects and responsibilities to junior chemists and provide technical guidance throughout development
• Mentor, train, and support junior R&D staff while promoting strong formulation and laboratory practices
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations to ensure the laboratory remains organized, efficient, safe, and properly maintained
• Help manage laboratory equipment, raw materials, inventory, documentation, batch records, and SOPs
• Review formulation work and project progress to ensure quality, accuracy, reproducibility, and timely completion
• Support scale-up, pilot production, technology transfer, and manufacturing troubleshooting with contract manufacturers
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and present formulation strategies, technical recommendations, and scientific rationale to clients
• Stay current on emerging cosmetic ingredients, formulation technologies, clean beauty standards, and relevant regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related scientific field
• BS or MS specifically in Cosmetic Science is strongly preferred
• 7+ years of hands-on cosmetic formulation experience
• Strong knowledge of cosmetic raw materials, formulation technologies, delivery systems, and product development
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead formulation projects from concept through scale-up
• Experience managing or mentoring junior chemists, laboratory staff, or R&D teams
• Strong project-management and organizational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experience with scale-up, manufacturing troubleshooting, and technology transferStrong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication skills and comfort working directly with clients, suppliers, manufacturers, and cross-functional teams
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

Why Join Us?

At Project Chemistry, you’ll have the opportunity to lead exciting formulation programs, work with emerging ingredients and technologies, help develop the next generation of beauty products, and play an important role in shaping our growing R&D organization.

This role offers the opportunity to remain deeply involved in formulation science while also helping develop people, improve laboratory operations, and influence how Project Chemistry continues to grow—all within a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and innovation-driven environment.