Scientist - Makeup

Scientist - Makeup

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of high‑quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The company’s brands include Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, M
· A·C, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Jo Malone, Tom Ford, and many others, sold in approximately 150 countries worldwide.

We’re looking for an R&D Scientist to join our Lip/Color Cosmetics team. Someone who finds joy in formulating, experimenting, and solving problems at the intersection of chemistry, materials, and consumer experience. In this lab‑based role, you’ll develop innovative, high‑performance color cosmetics, working hands‑on from bench to market with scientific rigor every step of the way.

• Design, formulate, and refine lip/color cosmetic products with minimal supervision, focusing on formulation performance.
• Plan and conduct structured experiments, critically analyze data, and communicate learnings to inform technical decisions and next steps.
• Apply scientific principles and creative problem‑solving to overcome formulation and process challenges.
• Maintain clear, accurate records with a commitment to data integrity and sound lab practices; monitor formulation stability and report anomalies.
• Grow technical expertise in raw materials, interactions, and delivery systems, staying open to adjacent fields.
• Build foundational knowledge of the category while staying inspired by cross‑functional insights.
• Manage your workstream with attention to quality, timeliness, and reproducibility, taking ownership of every project.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with analytical, microbiology, toxicology, and scale‑up teams to build technical readiness.
• Adhere to all lab safety protocols, company policies, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field required;
  Master’s degree is an asset.
• 1–2 years of hands‑on experience in formulation or product development, preferably in color or lip cosmetics.
• Strong bench skills and a rigorous approach to lab work.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills; able to troubleshoot independently and ask the right questions.
• Highly organized with strong documentation habits and attention to detail.
• Team‑oriented, proactive, and clear in both written and verbal communication.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $75,000.00 to $85,000.00. Exact salary depends on experience, skills, education, and budget. The position also participates in a highly competitive bonus program with potential for over achievement based on performance.

Benefits include health insurance coverage, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education‑related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others, many of which are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

It is the Company’s policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact USAppl

Michigan Applicants:
Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for employment must notify the company in writing of the need for an accommodation within 182 days after the date the person with a disability knew or reasonably should have known that an accommodation was needed.

Philadelphia Applicants:
Philadelphia’s Fair Chance Hiring Law applies.

Rhode Island Applicants:
The company is subject to chapters 29‑38 of title 28 of the general laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state's workers’ compensation law.

Not Applicable

Full‑time

Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Personal Care Product Manufacturing