R&D Technician I

Developlus•Corona, CA

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The R&D Technician I - Hair Color Characterization & Evaluation supports the development, evaluation, and ongoing improvement of professional and retail hair color products. This hands-on laboratory role prepares standardized hair tresses and product samples, performs controlled color applications and analytical testing, documents product performance, and communicates results to Formulation Chemists and other cross-functional partners. The technician works across semi-permanent, permanent, demi-permanent, and temporary hair color, lighteners and bleach systems, developers, toners, and supporting hair care products. This role is focused on testing and characterization and does not independently formulate products.

Requirements

Associate degree in Chemistry, Biology, Cosmetic Science, Materials Science, or a related field; equivalent relevant laboratory or cosmetology experience may be considered.
1-3 years of laboratory, product testing, cosmetic, personal care, or consumer packaged goods experience.
Ability to follow written procedures, perform precise measurements, and maintain accurate documentation.
Basic understanding of laboratory safety, good documentation practices, and routine laboratory equipment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and basic data entry.
Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying or evaluating permanent, demi-permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, direct-dye, lightener, or developer systems.
Familiarity with Datacolor/spectrophotometers, viscometer, FTIR, pH meter, Microscope, Centrifuge, Ultrasonicator, titrations.
Experience conducting cosmetic stability studies and package-compatibility testing.

Responsibilities

Prepare, label, organize, and condition standardized natural, gray, bleached, and previously colored hair tresses according to approved test methods.
Weigh, mix, apply, process, rinse, shampoo, condition, dry, and style hair color, lightener, developer, and hair care samples using controlled procedures and accurate timing.
Evaluate shade accuracy, tonal direction, depth, vibrancy, gray coverage, lift, deposit, evenness, staining, transfer, color bleed, and overall appearance.
Conduct wash, fade, and environmental exposure studies and document changes in color intensity, tone, and hair condition over time.
Operate color-measurement equipment such as a Datacolor instrument or spectrophotometer.
Perform routine measurements including pH, viscosity, specific gravity or density, appearance, odor, and other product-specific tests according to established methods.
Set up, monitor, and evaluate accelerated, ambient, freeze-thaw, and package-compatibility studies; identify and report changes such as separation, viscosity drift, color shift, leakage, or package interaction.
Maintain complete, accurate, and traceable laboratory notebooks, worksheets, photographs, instrument files, sample records, and summary reports.
Recognize atypical, inconsistent, or out-of-specification results; repeat testing when directed and promptly communicate findings to the responsible scientist or manager.
Maintain organized work areas, sample inventories, retains, equipment, calibration records, and laboratory supplies. Support routine cleaning and preventive maintenance.
Follow approved SOPs, GMP requirements, chemical hygiene practices, PPE requirements, waste-disposal procedures, and all company safety policies.