Scientist - Makeup

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart , the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.

Description

Are you driven by curiosity and a passion for the science behind beauty? 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 work hands-on to develop innovative, high-performance

color cosmetics. You’ll be part of a collaborative team, contributing to products that go from bench

to market, applying scientific rigor every step of the way.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, formulate, and refine lip/color cosmetic products with minimal supervision — with a
  
  

strong focus on the "what" and "how" behind 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 escalate any anomalies.

• Grow technical expertise in raw materials, interactions, and delivery systems, with curiosity
  
  

About How Ingredient Chemistry Shapes Product Behavior.

• Build foundational knowledge of the category while staying open to inspiration from adjacent
  
  

fields.

• Manage your workstream with attention to quality, timeliness, and reproducibility — bringing a
  
  

sense of ownership to 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).
  
  

Qualifications

• 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.

• Passion for science, experimentation, and understanding how things work — not just making
  
  

things “look good.”

• 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
  
  

Pay Range

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $75,000.00 to $85,000.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including 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 these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is 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 (including transgender status), 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 USApplicantAccommodations@Estee.com.

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

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.