DescriptionThe Fellow, Modeling & Simulation will support the Estee Lauder Corporate strategy to continue to be the global leader in prestige beauty by ensuring modeling and simulation systems are developed to support the values of unrivaled quality, creativity and innovation. Lead Modeling and Simulation development activities. Support designated business segment by being the innovation steward for the Predictive Modeling applied to Packaging, Equipment, and process systems. This role is responsible for ensuring all aspects meet or exceed the quality, creative and product delivery requirements within a managed timeline and cost objective.
The role will also establish and lead a world-class modeling, simulation, and technical design capability ecosystem, leveraging the optimal combination of internal expertise and external specialist partners, technologies, and service providers to accelerate innovation, enhance technical capabilities, and provide flexible capacity to meet business priorities.
Key ResponsibilitiesInnovation Leadership & Technology Stewardship - Serve as the innovation steward for predictive modeling and simulation capabilities supporting Packaging Innovation, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Product Development.
- Drive the development of novel modeling, simulation, and digital engineering approaches that enable accelerated innovation and create competitive advantage.
- Identify, develop, and protect intellectual property related to modeling methodologies, simulation tools, and engineering technologies.
- Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and best practices both within and outside the beauty industry to expand technical capabilities and accelerate innovation.
- Represent and promote the culture, values, and technical standards of Packaging Innovation and Global Engineering.
Packaging, Process & Equipment Concept Development - Lead predictive modeling and simulation activities supporting packaging concepts, equipment systems, and product delivery technologies.
- Assess technical feasibility, manufacturability, functionality, performance, quality, cost, timing, and risk for new concepts and technologies.
- Develop and validate predictive models that optimize performance, sustainability, manufacturability, and consumer experience.
- Provide engineering recommendations that improve design robustness, production efficiency, and lifecycle performance.
- Ensure concepts and systems meet brand, regulatory, environmental, safety, and operational requirements.
Modelling & Simulation Excellence - Lead the application of structural, thermal, fluid dynamic, material, and process simulations throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Develop and maintain engineering rigor in modeling methodologies, material characterization, testing protocols, measurement systems, validation techniques, and data analysis.
- Correlate simulation outputs with experimental and manufacturing data to continuously improve model accuracy and predictive capability.
- Establish standards, best practices, and governance for modeling and simulation activities across the organization.
- Maintain awareness of emerging digital engineering technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, cloud-based simulation, and advanced automation tools.
Capability Ecosystem & External Partnership Leadership - Develop and execute a strategy that leverages the optimal balance of internal expertise and external specialist capabilities to maximize innovation, agility, and technical excellence.
- Establish and manage a network of best-in-class external partners providing modeling, simulation, digital engineering, AI-enabled analysis, technical design, prototyping, and advanced engineering services.
- Assess build-versus-buy opportunities to determine the most effective sourcing of modeling and simulation activities based on capability, capacity, speed, cost, and strategic value.
- Benchmark internal capabilities against industry-leading practices and identify opportunities to access emerging technologies and specialized expertise through external partnerships.
- Lead selection, governance, performance management, and technical oversight of external engineering and simulation providers.
- Ensure effective integration of externally developed models, analyses, and technical solutions into Estee Lauder development standards and processes.
- Drive knowledge transfer from external partners to strengthen internal capabilities and maintain long-term organizational learning.
Portfolio Delivery & Resource Management - Lead all aspects of predictive modeling and simulation projects from concept evaluation through implementation and manufacturing deployment.
- Define project scope, technical requirements, resource needs, timelines, deliverables, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Balance workload across internal teams and external partners to optimize capacity utilization, accelerate delivery, and support changing business priorities.
- Develop resource planning strategies that provide visibility to capability gaps, future capacity needs, and opportunities for external support.
- Partner with Global Brand Value Chain (GBVC), Global Supplier Management (GSM), Manufacturing, and Engineering teams to ensure development activities support business objectives and launch requirements.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time and meet quality, cost, manufacturability, operational, and performance objectives.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence - Collaborate with Marketing, Product Development, Design, R&D, Manufacturing, Material Sciences, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, and external partners to drive successful outcomes.
- Support development of equipment and process specifications through rigorous technical assessment and validation.
- Build strong relationships across global engineering, manufacturing, and supplier organizations to facilitate alignment and execution.
- Provide technical leadership and expert guidance on modeling, simulation, engineering analysis, and technology development activities across the enterprise.
QualificationsEducation / Certification - Minimum BS or MS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent Engineering.
Direct Experience - 7+ years relevant experience in structural, thermal and fluid dynamics analysis supporting product design and development of cosmetic or equipment in regulated industries (i.e. Food, Pharma, Cosmetics, etc.)
- Experience in manufacturing of FDA regulated products involving the need for traceability and drug reconciliation
- Proficient using SolidWorks, CSWP preferred
- Experience with ANSYS Structures or equivalent analysis tools for static and dynamic finite element analysis, including understanding of FEM modeling parameters such as boundary conditions, element types and optimization, adhesive/bonded connections, contact, verification methods, etc.
- Experience with Ansys Fluent, or other fluid/thermal modeling tools, for complex fluid interaction and mixing, as well as static and transient thermal analysis.
- Experience in material characterizations
- Experience developing test plans, support execution, analyze, document and presenting results for verification of structural, fluid dynamic and thermal requirements (ISO9001 Document R0013)
- Experience in presenting visual renderings of technical results through animations and high resolution imaging techniques.
- Thorough understanding of the full product development cycle from concept to mass production
- Understanding of common manufacturing & design processes such as plastic injection molding, machining, fabrication of glass and plastic packaging components, flexible and rigid joining methods.
Strategic Capability leadership- Demonstrated ability to create and manage a high-performing technical capability ecosystem that combines internal expertise with best-in-class external resources.
- Strong business judgment regarding build-versus-buy decisions, ensuring optimal deployment of internal resources while leveraging external expertise where it creates competitive advantage.
- Proven ability to identify and adopt emerging technologies that improve engineering productivity, simulation accuracy, innovation velocity, and organizational capability.
Technical Competency - Ability to demonstrate strong fundamental engineering skills through establishment of first principles and governing equations
- Technical competency in analysis of geometric objects in 2 and 3 dimensions including understanding of clearances, fit and finish of assemblies and sub-assemblies.
- Comprehensive knowledge of materials used in the construction and manufacturing of equipment including but not limited to:
- Mechatronic designs
- Applied energy transitions
- Injection molding.
- Extrusion molding.
- Metal forming.
- Assembly of components.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Machine Design and Construction layout of processing and packaging equipment.
- Comprehensive knowledge of test methods used to validate component and equipment performance.
- Knowledge of OSHA, Code Compliance, and manufacturing work flow planning
Pay Range:The anticipated base salary range for this position is
$124,200.00 to $214,450.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.
In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.
