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Cosmetic Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Process Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

In this role, you will own the process development of New Product Introduction, architecting new ... Experience in customer facing cosmetic packaging.

Apple

Process Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

In this role, you will own the process development of New Product Introduction, architecting new ... Experience in customer facing cosmetic packaging. Minimum Qualifications BS and 10 +years of ...

Apple

Process Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

In this role, you will own the process development of New Product Introduction, architecting new ... Experience in customer facing cosmetic packaging. Minimum Qualifications BS and 10 +years of ...

Debut Biotech

Staff Process Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

... as cosmetic active ingredients. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert in downstream processing, assisting a team of scientists and engineers through process development at bench ...

Debut Biotech

Staff Process Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

... as cosmetic active ingredients. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert in downstream processing, assisting a team of scientists and engineers through process development at bench ...

PPG

Aerospace Transparency Process Engineer

Sylmar, CA · On-site

We are seeking a Process Engineer to lead the development and control of surface finishing ... Experience working with cosmetic, Class A, or optically critical surfaces * Experience with optical ...

Gantri

Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

Our factory combines additive manufacturing, advanced finishing, process engineering, automation ... Finishing, coatings, or cosmetic manufacturing experience * Experience with simplifying labor ...

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Cosmetic Process Engineer information

What does a cosmetic process engineer do?

A Cosmetic Process Engineer is responsible for designing, optimizing, and overseeing the manufacturing processes used to produce cosmetics and personal care products. Their work ensures that products are made efficiently, safely, and consistently, meeting both regulatory and quality standards. They collaborate with research and development teams to scale up new formulas from the lab to large-scale production, troubleshoot process issues, and implement improvements to enhance product quality and production efficiency.

What are some typical challenges faced by a cosmetic process engineer during product scale-up?

Cosmetic Process Engineers often encounter challenges when scaling formulations from the laboratory to full-scale production. Differences in equipment, mixing dynamics, and raw material behavior can impact product consistency, texture, and stability. Addressing these issues requires close collaboration with R&D, quality control, and manufacturing teams to optimize processes, troubleshoot unexpected variations, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Proactive problem-solving and strong communication skills are essential for overcoming these hurdles and delivering high-quality cosmetic products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cosmetic process engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cosmetic Process Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical or process engineering, knowledge of cosmetic formulations, and typically a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with manufacturing equipment, process optimization software, and quality management systems is essential, along with experience in regulatory compliance for cosmetics. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication make someone stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring product quality, efficient production, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards in the cosmetic industry.

What is the difference between Cosmetic Process Engineer vs Cosmetic Product Developer?

AspectCosmetic Process EngineerCosmetic Product Developer
Primary FocusOptimizing manufacturing processes and ensuring product qualityCreating and formulating new cosmetic products
Skills & CertificationsProcess engineering, quality control, GMP knowledgeFormulation chemistry, product design, regulatory compliance
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, quality assurance labsResearch & development labs, product testing facilities
Industry UsageUsed by manufacturers to improve production efficiencyUsed by R&D teams to develop new products

While both roles are essential in the cosmetic industry, the Cosmetic Process Engineer focuses on refining manufacturing processes and ensuring product quality, whereas the Cosmetic Product Developer concentrates on creating and formulating new cosmetic products. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are popular job titles related to Cosmetic Process Engineer jobs in California?

For Cosmetic Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cosmetic Process Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Cosmetic Process Engineer jobs in California are:

Cosmetic Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cosmetic Process Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Production Process Engineer

McKenna Labs, Inc

Fullerton, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

McKenna Labs is a full-service contract manufacturing company that specializes in hair, skin and body care products. We've been in the personal care development and manufacturing industry since 1998.  We are seeking a Production Process Engineer.  This is an ideal role for a recent graduate or engineer early in their career looking to gain hands-on experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Summary

The Production Process Engineer supports the development and optimization of filling and packaging processes used in the manufacturing of personal care and OTC drug products. This role focuses on filling technologies for low- to high-viscosity liquids and semi-liquids while ensuring compliance with cGMP, FDA requirements, and customer specifications in a high-mix, fast-paced manufacturing environment. Emphasis on enhancement of efficiency, reduction of costs, and improvement of product quality and safety. Key responsibilities include conducting risk assessments, testing and monitoring equipment, updating current system processes, and ensuring product compliance.

Key Responsibilities include:

  • Carry out responsibilities in compliance with company policies, work procedures, and federal, state and local laws. Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and health and safety rules and regulations

Packaging Process Development & Support

  • Assist in the development and improvement of filling and packaging processes for personal care and OTC products.
  • Support production line setups, changeovers, trials, start-ups, first production runs and validations.
  • Establish critical process parameters to ensure fill accuracy, repeatability, product integrity, and waste reduction.
  • Review and support process validation needs as necessary.

Packaging Equipment & Line Optimization

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve throughput, OEE, and changeover efficiency while reducing scrap.
  • Troubleshoot fill weight variation, foaming, leakage, torque issues, and component compatibility challenges.
  • Provide engineering support for filling lines, including fillers, cappers/torquers, induction sealers, labelers, conveyors, etc.
  • Specify and support installation and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) of filling and capping equipment.
  • Support cost-saving projects related to packaging materials and processes.
  • Collaborate with Operations and Quality leaders to identify potential areas of process and product variability, address root causes and implement improvements to ensure the flow of quality products through the supply chain.

Compliance & Documentation

  • Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, process flow diagrams and documentation for filling operations.
  • Support deviation investigations, CAPAs, and change controls related to filling and packaging processes.
  • Assist with packaging specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), and validation documentation.
  • Ensure compliance with cosmetic regulations, OTC labeling, fill volume requirements, product integrity, safety standards, and internal quality systems.

Cross-Functional Support

  • Collaborate with Production to support daily filling and packaging operations.
  • Collaborate with Quality to ensure filling and packaging processes meet GMP and quality standards.
  • Champion training of Operators and Mechanics on new or modified filling processes and equipment. 
  • Support Sales, Account Management, Purchasing, and R&D with new product introductions and packaging changes
  • Assist in coordinating activities with packaging suppliers and vendors.
  • Contribute to an environment in which all team members are respected regardless of their individual differences.
  • Maintain a positive and productive relationship with co-workers and others with whom the position may have contact.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Requirements


To fulfill requirements of job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Packaging, Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical) or a related field.
  • 1-2 years of experience in manufacturing, packaging, or engineering (internships experience acceptable).
  • Experience in personal care, cosmetics, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing is a plus, but not required.
  • Basic understanding of manufacturing or packaging processes.
  • Strong technical documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio).
  • Fluency in English required. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a strong differentiator.
  • Must be able to work in person onsite, including the flexibility to support off-shift production, weekend operations, and production trials or launches.
Physical Demands and Work Environment


The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Work is performed primarily in an active production environment with exposure to moving mechanical equipment and varying temperatures and humidity. The noise level is usually moderate. 
  • Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms and occasionally stoop, kneel, and crouch. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 
  • Required to wear all assigned PPE, which may include safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection, gloves, hairnets, beard covers, lab coats or smocks, slip-resistant footwear, and respiratory protection where required.


The compensation range for this role is $71,000 - $85,600 per year.  Compensation is commensurate with level of knowledge, education, skills, and experience applicable to the position.

We understand that each team member’s situation is unique, and so it is our intent to offer an overall benefits package that can be shaped and molded by each individual to fit their family’s needs. Our current benefits package, which is available to all full-time team members, includes medical, dental, vision insurance, 401k retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, life and disability coverage, and other voluntary benefits.

We want everyone to feel welcome, respected and we are committed to providing the best space, experience and workplace for our teams – no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability status and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

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