Cosmetic Powder and Pigment Processing Engineer

Position Overview

Palomba General Trading LLC invites applications for the role of Cosmetic Powder & Pigment Processing Engineer based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This full-time, onsite position centers on technically complex projects involving cosmetic powders and pigments within the cosmetic and personal care industries across the UAE and GCC regions.

Role Summary

The role requires specialized expertise in dry powders, pigments, mineral ingredients, functional powders, and formulations utilized in color cosmetics, skincare, personal care, and niche cosmetic products. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cosmetic manufacturers, application experts, and international equipment suppliers to assess raw material properties, define processing specifications, and advise on appropriate milling, blending, dosing, and powder-handling equipment.

Key Technical Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret customer needs related to cosmetic powders and pigments.
• Assess raw materials for particle size, bulk/tapped density, moisture, flowability, cohesiveness, and other important powder characteristics.
• Support the selection and evaluation of equipment such as mills, deagglomerators, sieves, blenders, and dosing systems.
• Review particle size reduction requirements and target size distributions (D10, D50, D90).
• Advise on pigment dispersion, powder uniformity, blending of powders with variable densities and sizes, and segregation risks during processes.
• Evaluate dosing (gravimetric and volumetric), powder-transfer methods, containment, dust generation risk, and powder losses.
• Facilitate scale-up from lab or pilot testing to industrial production while ensuring colour uniformity and batch consistency.
• Coordinate technical trials and interpret trial outcomes involving particle size, flowability, homogeneity, and dispersion.
• Participate in equipment selection discussions and technical project reviews.

Powder Processing Technologies

• Dry blending and pigment blending techniques
• Milling, micronisation, and deagglomeration processes
• Sieving and screening
• Powder dosing, transfer, and bulk solids handling
• Handling fine powders and powder incorporation into liquid cosmetic systems
• Preparation of pigment dispersions

Critical Technical Parameters

• Particle size distribution (D10, D50, D90)
• Bulk and tapped density
• Flowability, moisture, cohesiveness, and agglomeration
• Dust generation and segregation risks
• Blend uniformity and mixing time
• Feed rate, throughput, powder yield, and product loss
• Colour uniformity and dispersion quality

Typical Cosmetic Applications

• Face powders, pressed and loose powders
• Mineral cosmetics and pigmented formulations
• Foundations, colour cosmetics, eyeshadow, and blush formulations
• Cosmetic actives and functional skincare powders
• Powder-to-liquid formulations

Relevant Equipment and Technologies

• Powder blenders (ribbon, ploughshare, high-intensity mixers)
• Mills and fine grinders
• Deagglomerators, sieves, and screens
• Feeders and dosing systems (gravimetric, volumetric)
• Pneumatic conveying and powder-transfer equipment

Candidate Profile

The ideal applicant is a technically skilled engineer or scientist with hands-on experience in cosmetic powders, pigments, and industrial powder processing. They must understand the influence of particle size, shape, density, flowability, and surface properties on blending, dosing, transfer, and dispersion performance. Strong analytical abilities to troubleshoot powder-processing challenges and communicate technical data to both cosmetic manufacturers and equipment engineers are essential. Candidates primarily experienced in general sales, administrative roles, or non-technical business development are unlikely to be appropriate.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Cosmetic Science, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 3 years' relevant industrial or application engineering experience preferred.
• Proven practical experience with powders, pigments, dry blending, milling, or particle-size processing strongly desired.
• Experience in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, chemical, or specialty material manufacturing is advantageous.
• Ability to interpret particle-size analysis, powder property data, and process equipment specifications.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

Preferred Technical Exposure

• Cosmetic powders and pigments
• Powder blending and milling
• Micronisation and deagglomeration
• Powder handling and gravimetric dosing
• Particle-size analysis and industrial trial coordination
• Process scale-up and application laboratories experience

Relevant Industry Experience

• Cosmetics and color cosmetics
• Personal care and pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Specialty chemicals, pigments, and mineral ingredients
• Process equipment manufacturing
• Industrial research & development and application engineering

Compensation and Benefits

This is a permanent full-time role based in Abu Dhabi with a competitive monthly salary range of AED 14,000 to 22,000, dependent on qualifications and technical background. Performance-related incentives may be provided in alignment with project responsibilities. The position offers exposure to global powder-processing and cosmetic production equipment manufacturers, opportunities to contribute to complex cosmetic manufacturing projects in the GCC, and a professional environment fostering development within process equipment activities.

About Palomba General Trading LLC

Palomba General Trading LLC operates internationally between the Middle East and Europe, specializing in technical and commercial partnerships with manufacturers and industrial customers across cosmetics, personal care, food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, specialty ingredients, and industrial process equipment sectors. The company serves as a commercial and technical liaison connecting industrial clients with specialized international production partners.