Hair Care Formulation Scientist

Job Title: Hair Care Formulation Scientist
Location: Cranbury, New Jersey
Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $70-80k
Contractor Work Model: Onsite – onsite
Hours: 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM M-F

Seeking a highly motivated and innovative Hair Scientist with a strong background in formulation development. The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of industry experience in hair care product innovation, specializing in formulation chemistry, stability testing, and scale-up for commercial launch. This role requires technical expertise in hair fiber science, ingredient interactions, and regulatory compliance, combined with proven success in driving projects from concept through commercialization.


Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate innovative hair care formulations
• Design new chassis formulations and develop in various packaging formats
• Conduct detailed research on ingredient performance, hair fiber interactions, and novel technologies to enhance product efficacy and sensorial appeal
• Design and analyze experiments to evaluate product stability
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Product Development, Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing) to translate consumer insights into scientifically sound product solutions
• Prepare technical documentation including formulation guidelines, raw material specifications, and batch manufacturing records
• Ensure formulations meet regulatory and safety requirements
• Provide technical guidance in troubleshooting formulation challenges and scaling laboratory batches to pilot and production levels
• Contribute to building organizational knowledge in hair science and formulation
• Keep current on industry trends, technological advances, and raw materials to proactively identify opportunities for innovation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline
• Minimum 4+ years of hands-on formulation experience in hair care R&D (Ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of industry experience in hair care product innovation, specializing in formulation chemistry, stability testing, and scale-up for commercial launch).
• Strong knowledge of colloid and surface chemistry, emulsion science, rheology, and polymer interactions in hair formulations
• Proven track record of developing and launching successful commercial hair care products
• Experience with stability and compatibility testing, and understanding of claims substantiation, and consumer evaluation methodologies
• Familiarity with formulation scale-up processes and working closely with contract manufacturers
• Fundamental understanding of global cosmetics regulations and raw material compliance
• Formulating experience with hair treatment products, styling products and fixatives formulations.

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joulé and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce solutions across North America. We help clients get work done more efficiently and economically, without compromising quality. System One not only serves as a valued partner for our clients, but we offer eligible employees health and welfare benefits coverage options including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan.

System One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, family care or medical leave status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.