Front End Innovation Lead

At K18, we're about hair freedom for all–engineered with biotech. We are on a mission to liberate expression. To make the impossible possible with the right technology. To build a community of forward thinkers, risk takers, and rabble rousers. To bring fearless innovation forward and push boundaries past where we thought they could go. 

Position Overview

We’re seeking a strategic, science-forward leader to drive end-to-end front-end innovation—from identifying white space opportunities and scouting transformative technologies to translating breakthrough research into validated, consumer-ready solutions. This role is ideal for someone deeply experienced in biotechnology and AI-assisted protein engineering, with a passion for advancing hair biology through real-world, high-impact innovations.

This role is designed for a first-principles thinker who thrives at the intersection of computational biology, AI-driven design, and product development. You’ll lead critical workstreams ranging from functional protein design and microbiome programs to emerging technologies, including novel actives and devices.

Your influence will extend beyond the bench, shaping instrumentation strategies, designing scientific validation frameworks, and owning the testing protocols that drive both scientific and consumer claims. You will play a key role in creating industry-defining formulations powered by biotech.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a front-end innovation strategy aligned with business goals and biotech leadership in hair care.
• Identify white space opportunities and disruptive technologies to shape future pipelines.
• Track advancements in biotechnology, dermatology, and hair biology alongside shifts in consumer needs, market trends, and competitive landscapes.
• Lead ideation workshops and cross-functional brainstorming to build a robust pipeline of breakthrough concepts, ingredients, and technologies.
• Source, evaluate, and manage partnerships with research institutions, startups, and technology providers to co-develop or license novel biotech solutions.
• Translate scientific discovery into high-impact product concepts. Lead cross-functional teams (R&D, marketing, regulatory, operations) through feasibility, prototyping, and validation stages.
• Build and manage a balanced portfolio of incremental and breakthrough innovations. Prioritize based on strategic fit, technical viability, and commercial potential.
• Translate complex scientific data into compelling narratives for executive, marketing, and external stakeholders. Secure alignment and resources for projects.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of scientists and innovation specialists. Cultivate a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Partner with legal and regulatory to identify, protect, and future-proof IP generated through innovation efforts.

Specialized Focus Areas

• Protein & Peptide Engineering
  • Design peptides/proteins that achieve specific functional outcomes (repair, longevity, protection, bioactivity).
  • Leverage tools like AlphaFold, AlphaMind, Rosetta, and generative models to accelerate design cycles.
  • Validate structure-function relationships for cosmetic performance and stability.
• AI-Driven Innovation Frameworks
  • Use ML models to predict peptide stability, bioactivity, and interaction profiles.
  • Build data pipelines that connect in silico modeling to real-world scalability and performance.
  • Create end-to-end frameworks from computational insights to claims substantiation.
• Scientific Validation & Testing Strategy
  • Define in-vitro, ex-vivo, and instrumental testing strategies to evaluate mechanisms of action and product performance.
  • Design experiments that generate both scientific and consumer-facing claims.
  • Collaborate with labs and institutions to set performance benchmarks and standards.
• Cross-Disciplinary Product Integration
  • Partner with formulators, material scientists, and bioengineers to bring scientific concepts to life in scalable consumer-ready formats.
  • Work closely with marketing and education teams to translate technical findings into powerful, consumer-relevant narratives.

Skills & Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Protein Engineering, Bioinformatics, or Synthetic Biology
• Proven experience in AI-assisted protein/peptide design with real-world application focus
• Experience with tools like AlphaFold, Rosetta, and generative protein models
• Background in hair/scalp biology and cosmetic active development
• Experience in open innovation sourcing and research partnerships
• Demonstrated leadership of early research teams and programs and able to transfer new technology innovations to product development teams for commercial launches.
• Skilled in translating structure-function insights into high-performing, stable products
• Strong experimental design expertise to support both scientific validation and consumer claims
• Energized by bringing biotech-based beauty from the lab bench to the beauty shelf

This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: experience, knowledge and skills, and if the location of the job changes.

EEO Statement

K18 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation in order to apply for a job listing, please contact us at recruiting@k18hair.com. 

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