R&D Technician I

Our company is a leader in the beauty and personal care industry, dedicated to innovation and excellence in hair color products. Specializing in professional and retail hair color solutions, we are committed to developing high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of consumers and professionals alike. Our research and development team plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficacy, safety, and aesthetic appeal of these products, contributing to the brand's reputation as a trusted name in hair color technology.

The R&D Technician I - Hair Color Characterization & Evaluation supports the development, evaluation, and continual improvement of a wide range of hair color products, including semi-permanent, permanent, demi-permanent, and temporary hair colors, as well as lighteners, bleach systems, developers, toners, and complementary hair care items. This hands-on laboratory position involves preparing standardized hair tresses and product samples, performing precise color applications, and conducting thorough analytical testing to assess product performance. The technician will document all findings meticulously and communicate results to formulation chemists and cross-functional teams to inform product development and quality assurance efforts.

This role emphasizes testing and characterization and does not independently involve product formulation. The technician is responsible for preparing, labeling, and conditioning various hair tresses such as natural, gray, bleached, and pre-colored hair, following approved protocols. They will handle the weighing, mixing, application, processing, rinsing, shampooing, conditioning, drying, and styling of hair color samples with strict adherence to controlled procedures and timing to ensure accuracy and reproducibility.

Key duties include evaluating color performance factors like shade accuracy, tonal direction, depth, vibrancy, gray coverage, and more. The technician will also conduct durability and fade testing through wash, environmental exposure studies, and assess instrumental color measurements using devices such as Datacolor instruments or spectrophotometers. Routine physical and chemical testing of products — including pH, viscosity, specific gravity, appearance, and odor — will be performed to maintain established quality standards.

The role also involves setting up and monitoring stability and package compatibility studies to detect changes such as separation, viscosity drift, color shift, or leakage, ensuring product integrity during shipping and storage. Maintaining thorough, accurate, and traceable documentation through laboratory notebooks, worksheets, photographs, and reports is essential for all tests and studies conducted.

This position supports laboratory investigations by identifying atypical or out-of-specification results, repeating tests as directed, and communicating findings promptly to scientists or managers. It also includes maintaining laboratory readiness by organizing work areas, managing sample inventories, equipment calibration, and supporting cleaning and preventive maintenance tasks. Compliance with safety standards, good laboratory practices, and company policies is mandatory throughout the work process.

The ideal candidate should have an associate degree in chemistry, biology, cosmetic science, materials science, or a related field, coupled with 1-3 years of relevant laboratory or product testing experience in consumer packaged goods, cosmetics, or personal care industries. Attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication are paramount. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, along with a working knowledge of laboratory safety and equipment, is required. Experience with cosmetic stability studies, package compatibility testing, and various laboratory instruments is preferred, as is familiarity with multiple hair color systems. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge hair color product innovation within a dynamic research environment.