Beauty Engineer (Student Opportunity)

Student Beauty Engineer 

Works Closely With: Quality and manufacturing Engineers, Quality Control Operations Specialist, Quality Lab Coordinator, and cross-functional partners within the Supply Chain team 

Term: 12-week parttime opportunity with potential to extend; Flexible hours based on class schedule of student 

Position Summary
The Student Engineer will gain hands-on experience in the quality and engineering of beauty and personal care products, from development through commercialization and in-market performance. Working alongside Quality and Manufacturing Engineers, the student will conduct and support supplier quality activities, product audits, quality investigations, root cause analysis, and will help turn quality data into insights that drive decisions. 

About the Quality & Engineering Team

 The Quality & Engineering team makes sure every VS&Co product meets quality, safety, and regulatory standards before it reaches the customer. The team partners with suppliers and internal teams to set quality requirements for formulas and packaging components (such as bottles, caps, collars, pumps, labels, and cartons). It also oversees manufacturing and first-production approvals, conducts product audits, leads investigations and corrective actions, and reports quality performance through metrics and dashboards to drive continuous improvement. 

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality and Product Audits

• Perform product and packaging component audits and inspections against specifications and standards. 

• Accurately document audit results in quality systems and help identify defect trends by supplier, component, or product. 

• Support Quality Engineers in preparing for supplier audits, quality reviews, and supplier performance discussions. 

• Help draft or update inspection criteria, defect libraries, work instructions, and other relevant documents. Commercialization and Launch Support

• Conduct and assist evaluations of first production samples and component approvals for new product launches.

• Perform and support compatibility, functionality, and fit testing of packaging components (for example, cap and collar fit, pump performance, and label adhesion). 

• Join line trials and pre-production reviews to learn how quality requirements are put into practice in manufacturing.

Quality Investigations and Root Cause Analysis

 • Support quality investigations by gathering samples, data, and photographic evidence of product conditions. 

• Apply root cause tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, and Pareto analysis under the guidance of Quality Engineers.

• Perform, instruct, and assist with containment, sorting, and rework assessments, and tracking corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). 

• Enter and maintain quality notification data in SAP and related tracking tools. Quality Data, Metrics, and Reporting 

• Collect, clean, and analyze quality data from audits, investigations, and supplier performance. • Evaluate, review, and support the upkeep of quality dashboards and KPIs (for example, audit scores, defect rates, and supplier quality metrics) using Excel and Power BI. 

• Prepare clear summaries and visuals that highlight trends, drivers, and opportunities for improvement. 

• Keep quality records, logs, and SharePoint trackers accurate and up to date.

Student Engineering Project

 • Own a defined engineering or continuous-improvement project that matches team priorities, such as improving an inspection method, standardizing a defect library, streamlining sample retain management, or building a quality metrics tool. 

• Define the problem, gather and analyze data, develop recommendations, and implement solutions where possible. 

• Present project results, impact, and next steps to Quality leadership at the end of the term. 

Qualifications Required

• Currently pursuing or a recent grad with a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Packaging, Materials, or related field), Chemistry, or a related technical discipline. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. 

• Ability to follow procedures accurately and document work clearly. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort working with cross-functional teams. 

• Curiosity, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Work Environment and Physical Requirements 

• Split time between the office and the quality lab, with possible visits to supplier or manufacturing sites. 

• Ability to lift and move product samples and materials as needed. 

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform routine lab activities. What You Will Gain 

• Hands-on experience across the product lifecycle, from component development and commercialization to in-market quality. 

• Practical skills in supplier quality, auditing, root cause analysis, and data-driven decision-making. 

• Mentorship from experienced Quality Engineers and exposure to cross-functional and leadership discussions. 

• A completed project with measurable impact to showcase in your professional portfolio. 

This opportunity offers a meaningful introduction to quality engineering in a fast-paced consumer products environment. The student engineer will contribute directly to the team's mission of delivering safe, compliant, high-quality products while building the technical and professional foundation for a career in engineering.