About Sunday Riley:
Sunday Riley is a high-performance, science-backed skincare brand where innovation and transformative results are at the heart of everything we do. As a female-founded, female-led company, we balance cutting-edge technology with sustainability and intentional ingredient sourcing to deliver products that change skin - and confidence - for the better.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented R&D Chemist to join our Houston-based office. This critical role supports the founder-led Head of R&D by mixing new formulas, troubleshooting scale-up and production issues, supporting contract manufacturer NPD production runs, and assisting in quality control (QC) across all stages of product development and launch.
Key Responsibilities:
Formula Preparation:
- Mix / prepare new product formulas as provided by the founder/head of R&D. There could be 5 formulas a day, or 5 a week - it varies.
- Drop daily test formulas to Founder's home for evaluation.
- Monitor in-lab stability and report daily / weekly on all trials.
- Prepare lab-scale prototypes ("goop" and product samples) for internal evaluation, testing, and any marketing or sales needs.
Product and Consumer Claims Testing
- Submit final formulas for HRIPT, stability, preservative effectiveness, etc.
- Submit final formulas for consumer claims testing.
- Work hand-in-hand with Compliance to make sure all products conform to safety and efficacy standards.
Production & Scale-up Support:
- Troubleshoot scale-up issues with contract manufacturers and recommend adjustments as needed, in collaboration with Founder / Head of R&D.
- Travel to contract manufacturing sites to support first production runs of new product development (NPD).
- Act as a technical liaison between the Sunday Riley R&D team and contract manufacturers.
Quality Control:
- Approve QC testing on all production batches, including but not limited to viscosity, pH, appearance, odor, and stability evaluations.
- Proactively identify, document, and troubleshoot any deviations or issues during production or post-production.
Lab Operations & Raw Material Management:
- Order, receive, and catalog new raw material samples for formulation and R&D use, as requested.
- Maintain and update the lab's chemical inventory to ensure proper documentation, and availability of ingredients.
- Maintain lab cleanliness.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related field.
- 2-5 years of hands-on lab experience, preferably in cosmetics, skincare, or personal care product development.
- Strong understanding of cosmetic formulation techniques, raw materials, emulsions, and common QC methods.
- Experience working with contract manufacturers is highly preferred.
- Ability to perform hands-on lab work daily, including lifting small batches and standing for extended periods.
- Highly organized with excellent documentation and record-keeping skills.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
- Flexibility to travel as needed to monitor production runs.
Personal Attributes:
- Passionate about skincare, ingredients, and innovation.
- Detail-oriented with a commitment to product excellence.
- Collaborative team player with strong communication skills.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.