Associate Manager, R&D & Product Development

Location: New York City (hybrid, 3-4 days/week in office)

Compensation: $90,000 – $120,000

Reports to: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer

Experiment is a science-first skincare brand founded by two chemists on a mission to make science cool for the next generation of beauty consumers. At our lab-meets-HQ in NYC we’re formulating fun and effective skin essentials designed to support your skin barrier at every step. We believe the future of beauty is facts over fear which is why we clinically test and validate all our formulas to take the guesswork out of finding products that actually work.

We’re looking for an Associate Manager, R&D & Product Development to join our NYC lab as our first chemist hire. You’ll report directly to our co-founder and Chief Product Officer, a cosmetic chemist with over 10 years of experience spanning contract manufacturing in pharmaceuticals, OTC, and cosmetics, as well as global beauty brand innovation. This role is ideal for someone who wants to do more than bench work - you’ll own projects end-to-end, and play a key role in bringing new products to life. 

• Formulate, test, and refine skincare products from concept through launch, conducting stability, compatibility, and efficacy testing
• Research and evaluate new raw materials and technologies; maintain strong vendor and supplier relationships
• Maintain formulation documentation, lab notebooks, databases, and technical reports
• Organize and oversee lab operations including raw material library, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and sample tracking
• Prepare and submit samples for third-party testing (safety, clinical, claims) and coordinate with external labs as needed
• Partner with CPO on early-stage concepting and claims strategy, ensuring products are both scientifically sound and culturally relevant
• Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to ensure the science is communicated in accurate, engaging, consumer-friendly ways
• Support packaging evaluation and sourcing, ensuring formula compatibility and timely vendor follow-up
• Manage project timelines, key milestones, and supplier deliverables; proactively troubleshoot risks and delays
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, regulatory, and marketing to ensure smooth product development and launch execution

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• 2–5 years of experience in cosmetic formulation (skincare preferred)
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment, batching, and data analysis; familiarity with GMP and industry standards
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management and communication skills
• Passionate about skincare, innovation, and education