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Formulation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

Formulation Technician

Fremont, CA · On-site

$33 - $34/hr

Formulation Technician The Formulation Technician prepares, tests, and optimizes chemical solutions and formulations in a laboratory environment. This role focuses on developing new and improved ...

Kinetic Personnel Group

Be Seen First

Manufacturing Formulation Support

Tustin, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Job Summary The Formulation Support Associate provides technical and operational support for formulation development activities in a biopharmaceutical environment. This role assists in preparing ...

Glass House Brands

Formulation Technician

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Formulation Technician will also monitor, prepare, and maintain recordkeeping of formulation results. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (Reasonable accommodations may be ...

SV Labs Corporation

Formulation Chemist

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION The Formulation Chemist is responsible for the research, design, and development of innovative personal care and home care products, including skincare, haircare, body care and ...

SV Labs Corporation

Formulation Chemist

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION The Formulation Chemist is responsible for the research, design, and development of innovative personal care and home care products, including skincare, haircare, body care and ...

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All JobsFormulation JobsFormulation Jobs in California

Formulation information

See California salary details

$14

$22

$41

How much do formulation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for formulation in California is $22.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $22.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a formulation scientist do?

A formulation scientist is responsible for developing and optimizing mixtures of ingredients to create products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or food items. They ensure that the formulated product is stable, effective, and meets quality standards. This role involves research, testing, and collaboration with other scientists to bring safe and effective products to market. Formulation scientists often work in laboratory settings and are involved in scaling up production from small batches to mass manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a formulation scientist?

To thrive as a Formulation Scientist, you need a strong background in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, or chemical engineering, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, formulation development software, and regulatory standards such as GMP is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant development of new products in industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in formulation roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in formulation often encounter challenges such as achieving product stability, optimizing ingredient compatibility, and ensuring regulatory compliance. These issues require strong problem-solving skills, continuous testing, and close collaboration with analytical, quality assurance, and regulatory teams. Staying up-to-date with new ingredients, technologies, and industry standards can help address these challenges and support successful product development. Open communication and teamwork are also essential in troubleshooting and refining formulations.

What is the difference between Formulation vs Chemist?

AspectFormulationChemist
Required CredentialsDegree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldDegree in Chemistry or Chemical Sciences
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing plants, R&D centersLaboratories, research facilities, industrial settings
Industry UsageProduct development, formulation of compounds, cosmetics, pharmaceuticalsResearch, analysis, testing, and development of chemical substances
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Formulation specialists focus on developing and optimizing product recipes, while chemists conduct research and analysis of chemical substances. Both roles require chemistry degrees and often work in similar environments, but formulation emphasizes product development, whereas chemists may work more on research and testing.

What are the most commonly searched types of Formulation jobs in California? The most popular types of Formulation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Formulation jobs in California? For Formulation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Formulation jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Formulation jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Formulation jobs? Cities in California with the most Formulation job openings:
Formulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Formulation job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,866 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Pharmaceutical Formulation Chemist

K2 Staffing

Temecula, CA • On-site

Contractor

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Formulation Chemist to support the development of lyophilized injectable vials and oral capsule formulations on a project-based (Statement of Work / Per Diem) basis. This role is ideal for a pharmaceutical formulation expert with hands-on experience developing injectable and oral solid-dose products who can independently lead formulation activities from concept through regulatory readiness.

The successful candidate will have expertise in formulation development, excipient selection, lyophilization, stability studies, GMP documentation, and technical writing while collaborating with Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Analytical teams to support product commercialization.

Duties & Responsibilities Formulation Development
  • Develop formulations for lyophilized injectable vials and oral capsule products.
  • Design and execute formulation development studies, including excipient selection, buffer optimization, and compatibility assessments.
  • Troubleshoot formulation challenges related to solubility, stability, aggregation, dissolution, and product performance.
  • Support scale-up activities from laboratory development through manufacturing.
Lyophilization & Injectable Products
  • Develop and optimize lyophilization cycles, including freezing, primary drying, and secondary drying.
  • Investigate and resolve reconstitution and product stability issues.
  • Support sterile fill-finish activities, ensuring compatibility with filtration systems and filling equipment.
Oral Solid Dose Development
  • Develop oral capsule formulations, including excipient compatibility and fill-weight uniformity.
  • Evaluate formulation performance and identify opportunities to improve bioavailability where appropriate.
  • Generate technical data packages supporting manufacturing partners.
Stability, Documentation & Regulatory Support
  • Design and execute accelerated and long-term stability studies in accordance with ICH guidelines.
  • Prepare formulation development reports, technical protocols, batch records, and supporting GMP documentation.
  • Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure formulation data supports regulatory compliance, including 503A/503B requirements.
  • Support manufacturing and analytical teams by providing formulation expertise throughout the product lifecycle.
Qualifications & Requirements Required Experience
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline (PhD preferred).
  • Minimum 3 years of pharmaceutical formulation experience developing both injectable (lyophilized) and oral solid-dose products.
  • Hands-on experience with lyophilization cycle development and freeze-drying equipment.
  • Experience developing oral capsule formulations, including excipient selection and fill-weight optimization.
  • Strong understanding of formulation challenges, including solubility, stability, aggregation, and excipient compatibility.
Technical Skills
  • Experience designing and executing formulation development studies.
  • Knowledge of GMP documentation, batch records, technical protocols, and formulation reports.
  • Familiarity with ICH stability guidelines and stability protocol development.
  • Understanding of USP <795>, USP <797>, and/or 503A/503B regulatory requirements preferred.
  • Experience supporting sterile fill-finish operations and aseptic processing is highly desirable.
Professional Skills
  • Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple project priorities.
Employment Type: Contract Location: Temecula, CA