Job Description

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.

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