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Associate Materials Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Cost Engineer Associate

Tysons, VA · On-site

$75K - $94K/yr

Familiarity with electrical equipment, materials and specifications * Experience reading and ... Engineering * 4+ years of experience with an Associate's Degree * 6+ years experience with a high ...

LS Technologies, a Tetra Tech company, is seeking an Associate Systems Engineer to support the ... Occasional lifting of equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds may be required during ...

LS Technologies, a Tetra Tech company, is seeking an Associate Systems Engineer to support the ... Occasional lifting of equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds may be required during ...

Early Career Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$85 - $110/hr

Overview MPR Associates, Inc. (MPR), a thriving multi-discipline, specialty engineering services ... Materials Science * Instrumentation & Controls * Civil/Structural * Software Engineering Duties ...

Early Career Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Overview MPR Associates, Inc. (MPR), a thriving multi-discipline, specialty engineering services ... Materials Science * Instrumentation & Controls * Civil/Structural * Software Engineering Duties ...

Early Career Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Overview MPR Associates, Inc. (MPR), a thriving multi-discipline, specialty engineering services ... Materials Science * Instrumentation & Controls * Civil/Structural * Software Engineering Duties ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Materials Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$13

$22

$31

How much do associate materials engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate materials engineer in Reston, VA is $22.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $25.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate materials engineer?

Associate Materials Engineers are early-career professionals who assist in the development, testing, and evaluation of materials used in a variety of products and industries. They work under the supervision of more experienced engineers and help analyze the properties of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites to ensure they meet specific engineering requirements. Their responsibilities typically include conducting experiments, collecting data, preparing reports, and supporting the design and improvement of new materials. This role is often a stepping stone to more senior engineering positions and provides foundational experience in materials science and engineering applications.

What types of projects does an associate materials engineer typically work on, and how do they collaborate with other departments?

Associate Materials Engineers often work on projects involving material selection, testing, and analysis for new or existing products. They regularly collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to ensure materials meet performance and safety standards. Day-to-day tasks may include conducting laboratory experiments, preparing technical reports, and troubleshooting material-related issues in production. This collaborative environment allows for ongoing learning and provides exposure to various stages of product development, supporting career growth within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate materials engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Materials Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, chemistry, and engineering principles, usually supported by a bachelor's degree in materials engineering or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory analysis tools, CAD software, and materials characterization techniques—such as SEM or XRD—is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help you excel in problem-solving and cross-functional projects. These competencies are crucial for developing, testing, and improving materials that meet industry standards and project requirements.

What is the difference between Associate Materials Engineer vs Materials Engineer?

AspectAssociate Materials EngineerMaterials Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in materials science or engineering; some roles may require internshipsBachelor's or master's degree; professional certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects in manufacturing or R&D labsMore independent roles, overseeing projects and testing in labs or production facilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by manufacturing, aerospace, automotive industries for entry-level rolesCommon in similar industries, often with more responsibilities and project oversight

The main difference is experience and responsibility level. Associate Materials Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting roles, while Materials Engineers have more experience, overseeing projects and making technical decisions. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Materials Engineers often hold professional certifications and have greater independence in their work.

Are associate materials engineers in high demand?

Associate materials engineers are in steady demand due to their role in developing and testing materials for industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, and construction. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as companies seek expertise in materials selection, quality control, and sustainability practices, often requiring knowledge of materials testing tools and certifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Engineer jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Materials Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Materials Engineer jobs in Reston, VA?

For Associate Materials Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Materials Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Materials Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Associate Materials Engineer jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Associate Materials Engineer job openings:

Cost Engineer Associate

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

$75K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

242nd of 452 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
The Level 1 Estimator assists more experienced estimators in preparing cost estimates for bids and proposals for electrical and other low voltage applications such as fire alarm systems, security systems, communication systems, paging systems, audio-visual systems and nurse-call systems
Responsibilities
  • Gathering data and assisting in preparing bid proposal estimates and design/build proposals.
  • Performing take-offs from drawings; pricing change orders and conducting site visits to understand the constructability of projects.
  • Understanding plans and specifications to identify the types and grades of materials and equipment needed and to ensure compliance with project requirements.
  • Understanding and applying cost fundamentals; maintaining current, accurate information on prices from supplies and contractors.
  • Preparing bid packages and obtaining pricing from subcontractors and vendors
  • Familiarity with electrical equipment, materials and specifications
  • Experience reading and interpreting blueprints
  • Experience with contract documents such as contract drawings, subcontracts, contract addendum,
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of electrical plans, blueprints and drawings.
  • Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize and accomplish work
  • Generating high quality work
  • Working well with others in order to reach a common goal.
  • Must successfully pass a background check.
  • Working knowledge of Accubid a plus.
  • Working knowledge of BIM a plus.

Qualifications
  • 0+ years experience with a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, preferably Electrical Engineering
  • 4+ years of experience with an Associate's Degree
  • 6+ years experience with a high school diploma or GED

Abilities:
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Pay Range
USD $75,520.00 - USD $94,400.00 /Yr.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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