Senior R&D Chemist

Onsite Role at our Warehouse in Somerset, NJ.

About the Role

Scentbird is building out a formal R&D function for the first time. The Senior R&D Chemist owns formula-based product innovation across both the Scentbird and Drift brands - most of the current R&D workload sits on the Drift side, but this role isn't brand-exclusive. Reporting to the Senior Director of Technical Innovation & Engineering alongside the Device Engineer, you'll set feasibility on new platforms, own supplier relationships for new formula technology, and build the R&D infrastructure that doesn't exist here yet.

What You'll Be Responsible For

• Own formula R&D across all products, device-based and non-device
• Own product innovation for non-device platforms - technology and vendor discovery, capability evaluation
• Approve/reject technical feasibility on formula-only platforms
• Partner with the Device Engineer on device-based platforms as a joint feasibility gate
• Set technical requirements and capability parameters for new formula technologies before Product Development designs around them
• Own supplier relationships for new base formula technology (e.g. Firmenich, Cosmo), then hand off to Product Development for ongoing olfactive work
• Partner with Product Development on olfactive sign-off
• Own long-term effectiveness validation for functional products (e.g. cleaning efficacy)
• Review existing product portfolio to identify opportunities to improve olfactive performance through technology and formula enhancements
• Discover and evaluate new raw materials to improve olfactive performance
• Establish formal R&D processes and SOPs where none currently exist
• Source new suppliers and technologies that fit the brand portfolio
• Spec requirements for Scentbird's future dedicated R&D lab

What We'll Love About You

• A builder - you're comfortable creating a function, not just running one
• Confident holding a technical line under commercial pressure
• Strong cross-functional collaborator - engineering, creative, supply chain, quality
• Hands-on and curious - you test rather than assume
• Thinks in terms of production scale, not just the bench sample

What You'll Need to Have

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field
• 7+ years of formulation/R&D experience in fragrance, home care, air care, personal care, or adjacent CPG
• Direct experience managing fragrance house or formula-supplier relationships
• Experience setting technical feasibility criteria for new product platforms, ideally including device-based systems
• Strong track record partnering cross-functionally with engineering and product development
• Comfortable building process where none currently exists

What You'll Love About Us

• Competitive base compensation
• Bonus program
• Paid Time Off and Work From Home
• Volunteer Time Off
• Wellness Days
• 401k with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Commuter Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts, as well as Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Complimentary Scentbird Membership
• A fun, creative and energetic work environment

About Scentbird

Scentbird inspires fragrance lovers to go beyond the ordinary and sample scents that evoke passion, confidence, and the unknown. Our mission is to revolutionize the way we perfume by bringing the ultimate fragrance playground right to your fingertips and offering a digital subscription service that lets members choose from over 500+ designer perfumes each month.

About the Brands:

• Scentbird: The easiest way for fragrance lovers to discover, try, and buy their favorite scented products without a commitment
• Deck of Scarlet: Deck of Scarlet is on a mission to break the clean category, redefining what clean fragrances should smell like. Composed entirely of vegan, cruelty-free ingredients, our fragrances bridge the gap between the clean and luxury categories, using the highest eau de parfum concentrations housed in sculptural, eye-catching bottles. You shouldn’t have to choose between being luxe and refined, or clean and vegan—now, you don’t have to.
• Confessions Of A Rebel: We were born in 2018, holding fast to the idea that the fragrance industry was in dire need of a change. When we looked around, all we saw was a sea of sameness: outdated archetypes of femininity and masculinity paired with unrelatable images of luxury that we had no say in. In truth, we are complex in ways that cannot be contained in the traditional heteronormative stereotypes, existing beyond the binary with raw, unfiltered voices that deserve to be heard.
• Goodhabit: Enriched with a blend of essential oils, Goodhabit’s clean, vegan, cruelty-free fragrances act as bottled intentions you set free with each mist. Our scents are designed to help you align with the good habits you’re building, while working to enhance and boost your mood. Inhale, exhale, and let the good energy flow through you.
• Sanctuary: Created for those who care about the fate of our planets, Sanctuary offers fragrance for a better future. Our clean, community-driven fragrances are inspired by endangered species and their habitats, each aimed at raising money and awareness for the preservation of their namesake.
• Drift: Drift began as an alternative to all of the tacky air care products on the market. Our products are designed to blend in, with amazing scents that stand out. We take pride in our fragrances, keeping them free from the traditional chemicals used in the fragrance industry. We are always phthalate and paraben free. We never skimp on quality of our scents or the products that deliver them. Our design ethos is simple but effective. We love our community, those who won’t settle for ordinary, and we want to deliver a best in class experience.

Scentbird is committed to bringing individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives into the Nest. We strive to uphold an inclusive environment where individuals of all different backgrounds, ages, colors, ethnicities, gender, or gender identities, genetics, physical or mental abilities, protected veteran status, race, religious or sexual orientation, thrive. We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated internally to going above and beyond in fostering diversity. Come as you are - we’re excited to meet you.