Senior Chemist I, Urban Decay Makeup Formulation Open Development, L'Oréal Research & Innovation

Senior Chemist I, Urban Decay Makeup Formulation Open Development, L'Oréal Research & Innovation - El Segundo, CA

Life is too short for a boring career, so build an extraordinary one with us. We believe your career should spark the same thrill and curiosity as your personal interests. Creativity drives everything we do, turning ideas into meaningful impact. With opportunities across brands, markets, and divisions, your growth knows no boundaries.

Who We Are

Join us at L’Oréal, the world's #1 beauty company present in over 150 markets. For over a century, we have been transforming; fueled by data, tech, innovation, and science. Together, we tackle big challenges while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.

At L’Oréal Research & Innovation we are pushing the boundaries of Science & Tech. We invest heavily in cutting-edge research, leveraging advanced technologies to understand skin, hair, and microbiome, while discovering new active ingredients and launching outperforming formulas. Our 4,100 L'Oréal R&I experts leverage Science & Technology to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people’s lives.

Inside R&I, Open Development is where our chemists work closely with external manufacturers to develop and refine formulas that meet the innovative and edgy expectations of our consumers. We build strong, international collaborations to ensure that products move seamlessly from inception to launch for iconic brands like Urban Decay.

We are seeking a talented and innovative Senior Chemist I to join our Open Development department in El Segundo. In this role, you are responsible for the technical aspects of developing and homologating cosmetic products specifically for the Urban Decay brand. You will serve as the technical bridge between external partners and internal stakeholders, ensuring every formula reflects UD's commitment to performance, stability, and disruptive beauty.

A Day in the Life: As a Senior Chemist I in the Urban Decay Makeup Development team, your primary responsibilities will include:

• Vendor Collaboration & Launch Execution: Work closely with designated vendors to deliver high-performance formulations. You will initiate formula reviews, assure quality and conformity, implement risk mitigation plans, and monitor stability reports.
• Technical Integrity & Compliance: Collaborate with vendors' formulation teams and internal Micro, Safety, and Regulatory experts to ensure formulations pass L’Oréal and industry standard tests. Review concepts, formulas, artwork, and documentation for technical accuracy.
• Project Leadership: Under minimal supervision, manage multiple projects and timelines for the Urban Decay brand. You will provide status updates to management and ensure all R&I and Brand requirements are met.
• Claims Orchestration: Work with cross-functional teams to objectify data and provide formulation support for claim validation. You will translate results from consumer perception, hydration, and wear studies into actionable business insights.
• Strategic Scouting: Identify new raw materials and technologies from both internal labs and external vendors that are suitable for UD’s disruptive product pipeline.
• Communication & Ambassadorship: Present technical R&I information to a variety of audiences, including Marketing and vendor partners. You will stay abreast of international regulations affecting product positioning and verbiage.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with the wider Open Development team to lead complex projects that maintain and improve departmental processes or support operational needs.
• Mentorship: Provide critical mentorship and training to vendors and support groups to ensure excellence in product quality.
  
  

We Are Looking For: A creative problem-solver with a passion for makeup innovation, in addition to:

• Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related science is required.
• Experience:
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in the cosmetics industry with a focus on color cosmetics formulation.
• Strong background in all makeup categories: lipstick, foundations, eye makeup, hot pours, emulsions, and suspensions.
• Preference for a "hybrid" background combining formulation with Regulatory, Claims, or Product Development expertise.
• Skills & Attributes:
• Effective communicator (oral and written) able to engage with both technical experts and non-scientific stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work under pressure within a matrixed global organization.
• Creative problem-solver who can proactively identify and propose technical solutions.
• The ability to be onsite, in the office as this is an essential function of the position (required)
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis without the need for legal sponsorship now or in the future (required)
  

What’s In It For You

• A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you’ll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
• Real responsibility from day 1, there’s no sitting on the sidelines at L’Oréal
• An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
• A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal /environmental causes to make concrete difference
• Competitive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Base Salary Range: $77,400 - $110,300 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
• Hybrid Work Policy (3 days in Office, up to 2 days Work From Home)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L’Oréal’s Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs
  
  

Don’t meet every single requirement? At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We’re committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.