Wet Process Engineer Jobs in Cleveland, OH (NOW HIRING)

About the Role:

The Wet Chemist supports Research and Development by formulating, testing, and optimizing innovative liquid, semi-solid, and emulsion-based products within a regulated manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for developing nutraceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetic, and personal care formulations, conducting laboratory testing, managing stability programs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring new products from concept through commercialization. The ideal candidate has strong wet chemistry, formulation science, analytical testing, and laboratory experience in a fast-paced Research and Development environment.

Responsibilities:

• Formulate and develop water-based, oil-based, and emulsion-based products for dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care applications.
• Support Research and Development projects from concept through commercialization, including feasibility assessments, formulation development, laboratory testing, and process optimization.
• Conduct bench-scale laboratory experiments to evaluate formulation performance, stability, manufacturability, and product quality.
• Perform analytical and physical testing including viscosity, pH, Brix, specific gravity, gel strength, density, appearance, odor, color, texture, and other organoleptic evaluations.
• Develop manufacturing procedures, batch records, mixing instructions, and processing parameters to support production scale-up.
• Create finished product specifications, in-process quality standards, and testing protocols while evaluating ingredient compatibility and analytical interference.
• Develop and manage real-time and accelerated stability studies to establish product shelf life and monitor long-term product performance.
• Monitor environmental stability chambers and coordinate routine sample collection for internal, microbiological, and third-party laboratory testing.
• Maintain accurate formulation records, laboratory notebooks, technical documentation, and product specifications in accordance with quality standards.
• Research and evaluate raw materials, active ingredients, excipients, and cosmetic ingredients for functionality, regulatory compliance, quality, and performance.
• Collaborate with Research and Development, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams to resolve formulation and manufacturing challenges.
• Troubleshoot formulation issues, investigate process improvements, and support successful product commercialization.
• Ensure all Research and Development activities comply with cGMP requirements, FDA regulations, food safety standards, and internal quality systems.
• Stay current with emerging formulation technologies, ingredient innovations, and scientific research to support continuous product development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of five years of Research and Development experience within nutraceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, chemical, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience formulating oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, liquid formulations, gels, creams, lotions, tinctures, suspensions, and other wet chemistry products.
• Strong understanding of formulation chemistry, ingredient compatibility, stability science, rheology, preservation systems, surfactants, emulsifiers, and product performance testing.
• Experience conducting bench-scale development, pilot production, manufacturing scale-up, and process validation.
• Knowledge of cGMP, FDA regulations, laboratory best practices, food safety requirements, and quality management systems.
• Experience designing and managing accelerated and real-time stability programs.
• Ability to interpret analytical testing results, laboratory data, Certificates of Analysis, and technical specifications.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office, laboratory software, and scientific documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and technical communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in contract manufacturing or private label manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with analytical laboratory instrumentation and wet chemistry testing methodologies.
• Experience supporting technology transfer, continuous improvement, and manufacturing optimization.
• Knowledge of dietary supplement, cosmetic, and personal care regulatory requirements.
• Experience utilizing AI tools, scientific databases, or formulation software to support Research and Development initiatives.
• Professional certifications in project management, Lean Six Sigma, or quality systems are a plus.