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Cosmetic Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... performance and cosmetic requirements. Lead Apple suppliers to design and produce world-class ... engineering groups on material selection, design feasibility and aesthetics of new plastic part ...

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and/or Cosmetic Science is required. * Minimum 3+ years' R&D Chemistry Formulation or Technical Product Developer role in Consumer Products ...

ABOUT KENDO Kendo Holdings, Inc. is a San Francisco-based beauty brand developer and wholesaler ... Experience: 5+ years of experience in cosmetic product formulation. Experience in makeup/beauty and ...

... engineering drawings, work instructions, and customer specifications. * Interpret blueprints, shop travelers, and work orders to determine finishing and cosmetic requirements. * Improve the visual ...

Showing results 21-40

Cosmetic Engineering information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$104.6K

$140.6K

How much do cosmetic engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for cosmetic engineering in California is $104,624.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,600.00 and $102,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is cosmetic engineering?

A Cosmetic Engineering job involves developing, testing, and improving cosmetic and personal care products such as skincare, haircare, and makeup. Cosmetic Engineers apply principles of chemistry, biology, and material science to create safe, effective, and innovative formulations. They work closely with regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance and may collaborate with marketing and manufacturing teams. This role requires a strong understanding of ingredient functionality, stability testing, and product development processes.

What does a cosmetic engineer do?

As a Cosmetic Engineer, your daily tasks often include formulating new cosmetic or personal care products, testing product stability and safety, and conducting research on innovative ingredients. You’ll collaborate closely with marketing teams, regulatory specialists, and manufacturing departments to ensure product viability from concept to launch. This role frequently involves troubleshooting formulations, maintaining thorough documentation, and ensuring products meet both company standards and government regulations. You can expect a dynamic work environment where creative problem-solving and scientific precision are both essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in cosmetic engineering?

To excel in Cosmetic Engineering, you need a solid background in chemical engineering, cosmetic science, and product formulation, usually with a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Experience with laboratory equipment, regulatory compliance tools, and proficiency in systems such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are typically required. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong teamwork and communication skills are highly valued in this field. These abilities are critical for developing safe, effective cosmetic products and for navigating the complexities of regulatory standards and collaborative innovation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cosmetic Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Cosmetic Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Cosmetic Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Cosmetic Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Cosmetic Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $104,624 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer (Mechanical)

Neros Technologies

Torrance, CA • On-site

$154K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Who we are
Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America's drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.
As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.
What you will be doing
As a Supplier Quality Engineer focused on mechanical commodities, you will ensure that Neros' external suppliers can build complex mechanical hardware to the quality, speed, and scale required for high-performance unmanned systems. You will work directly with design engineering, manufacturing, sourcing, and suppliers to translate requirements into capable manufacturing processes, prevent quality escapes, and solve supplier issues quickly when production is at risk.
  • Own supplier quality and manufacturing readiness for mechanical commodities including CNC machined parts, carbon fiber/composite structures, injection molded components, additive manufactured parts, sheet metal, castings, coatings, finishes, and mechanical assemblies.
  • Review drawings, GD&T, material specifications, cosmetic requirements, inspection plans, process flows, FAIs, CMM reports, control plans, PFMEAs, and other quality documentation to validate supplier capability.
  • Partner with engineering and suppliers during NPI to identify DFM risks, tolerance stack-up concerns, process capability gaps, inspection strategy gaps, and production ramp risks before they impact builds.
  • Lead supplier qualification, FAI/AS9102, PPAP-style readiness, run-at-rate, process capability, MSA/GR&R, and ongoing supplier performance activities.
  • Drive containment, root-cause analysis, 8D/SCAR closure, corrective actions, and supplier improvement plans for dimensional, material, cosmetic, process, and reliability issues.
  • Work with sourcing and manufacturing teams to build a supplier base that can move fast, scale production, and meet high reliability standards in a demanding hardware environment.

You should have the following
  • 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, process engineering, or a related role supporting mechanical hardware production
  • Hands-on experience with mechanical commodities such as CNC machining, precision machining, carbon fiber/composites, injection molding, additive manufacturing, sheet metal, castings, coatings, finishes, or mechanical assemblies
  • Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, material specifications, inspection plans, CMM reports, and manufacturing process documentation
  • Experience conducting supplier audits, process reviews, FAIs, capability assessments, and production readiness reviews in fast-paced NPI and production environments
  • Familiarity with supplier quality tools and methods such as AS9102 FAI, PPAP/APQP concepts, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, Cpk/Ppk, MSA/GR&R, 8D, SCARs, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action management
  • Ability to diagnose mechanical part defects, dimensional escapes, surface finish/cosmetic issues, material nonconformances, process variation, and supplier control weaknesses
  • Proven track record of taking ownership, moving quickly under production pressure, communicating clearly across engineering and supplier teams, and driving measurable quality improvements
  • Willingness to work hands-on with parts, suppliers, inspection data, manufacturing processes, and cross-functional teams rather than managing quality only through documentation
  • May require up to 50% travel

Nice to have
  • Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, drones, automotive, medical device, or other high-reliability hardware environments
  • Experience with AS9100 suppliers, ITAR/EAR-controlled supply chains, high-mix manufacturing, or production ramps from prototype to rate production
  • Familiarity with composite manufacturing methods such as layup, cure, trim, bonding, NDI/NDT, and inspection of carbon fiber structures
  • Familiarity with precision machining, tight-tolerance mechanical assemblies, anodize/plating/coating processes, or supplier development in domestic and international supply bases
  • Experience working directly with contract manufacturers, machine shops, composite suppliers, molders, additive manufacturing suppliers, and sub-tier suppliers

US Salary Range
$154,000 - $215,500 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.
We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.