Cosmetic Product Development Internship

Panther Life Sciences • New York, NY

30d

About The Position

Panther Life Sciences is seeking a Product Development Intern to support user research and usability validation for our cosmetic microneedle array patch (MAP) platform ahead of commercialization. This role will sit at the center of product development, focusing on how consumers and dermatologists interact with at-home aesthetic devices. The intern will design and execute user interviews, conduct competitive benchmarking, and evaluate the usability of Panther’s system to ensure it is intuitive, safe, and effective for self-application. This is a highly hands-on opportunity to directly influence product design, user experience, and go-to-market readiness in a fast-paced startup environment.
This is a three-month summer position commencing June 1, 2026, with a flexible end date aligned to the candidate’s return to school.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Biomedical Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Business Administration or a related field
• Coursework or hands-on experience in human factors, usability engineering, or user-centered design
• Experience with structured interviews, user research, or task-based evaluation methods
• Ability to independently recruit, schedule, and facilitate user sessions with both consumers and clinical professionals
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to synthesize qualitative insights into actionable recommendations

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience conducting qualitative consumer research
• Exposure to consumer product or medical device development (internship, co-op, research, or capstone)
• Familiarity / Interest with at-home skincare or aesthetic devices as a user or researcher
• Familiarity / Interest with FDA human factors guidance (HFE/UE Guidance, 2016)

Responsibilities

• Design and execute structured user interviews to identify unmet needs, usability challenges, and pain points with existing cosmetic products
• Recruit and manage study participants, including both consumers and dermatologists
• Develop interview guides, observation protocols, and real-world usage scenarios
• Conduct competitive benchmarking of at-home cosmetic and aesthetic devices
• Administer usability evaluations of Panther’s microneedle patch system with target users
• Conduct targeted interviews with dermatologists to understand recommendation drivers and patient guidance practices
• Synthesize qualitative research into clear, actionable design and product recommendations
• Deliver a final report outlining usability insights, competitive findings, and prioritized improvements for the product development team

Benefits

• Exposure to breakthrough health technology and insight into how next-generation drug delivery systems move from concept to product.
• Real impact from day one. Work on projects that directly contribute to Panther’s microneedle array platform and product development.
• Hands-on experience participating in the design, development, and testing of real technologies alongside senior engineers and scientists.
• Meaningful ownership of discrete projects with clear outcomes and the opportunity to present your work to the team.
• Startup-level responsibility within a small, fast-moving team where your ideas and contributions genuinely matter.
• Work alongside a small group of thoughtful, curious people who care a lot about the mission. We collaborate closely, help each other out and work together.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern