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Ceramic Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TAD PGS, Inc

Mechanical Engineer

Long Beach, CA

$50 - $70/hr

Exposure to TPS design or high-temperature materials, including ablative, ceramic, or composite ... and engineering change processes. * Experience working in a startup or fast-paced defense ...

Sonatech

Senior Transducer Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

About Sonatech Sonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company ... Knowledge of piezo-ceramic types, modes, and properties useful for transducer design * Proficient ...

Periodic Labs

Process Engineer, Powder

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

... of ceramic materials * Comfort with equipment troubleshooting and a healthy bias toward getting ... Exposure to quality engineering, reliability engineering, or process development roles, and an ...

Kyocera

Senior PCB Design Engineer

San Diego, CA

$95K - $123K/yr

With nearly 80,000 employees worldwide, Kyocera is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies ... Senior PCB Design Engineer (ENG5723) Exempt: Yes Safety Sensitive: Yes GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ...

Kyocera

Senior PCB Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$95K - $123K/yr

With nearly 80,000 employees worldwide, Kyocera is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies ... Senior PCB Design Engineer (ENG5723) Exempt: Yes Safety Sensitive: Yes GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ...

Crossroads Staffing Services, Inc.

Be Seen First

Quality Improvement Enginner

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

The Quality/Improvement Engineer, is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives ... Experience in electronics or ceramic manufacturing a plus! * Experience in military, medical or ...

Ametek

New Product Development Engineer

Rosemead, CA · On-site

Ceramic (HTCC) technologies * Brazing and soldering * Plating and precision machining * Strong ... The NPD Engineer position preferred requirements: * Experience working in high-reliability ...

IonQ

Staff Engineer- Electrical

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

Experience designing and implementing RF circuits on traditional PCBs or ceramic substrates ... Thermal Engineering: Knowledge of thermal analysis, including the use of heatsinking, copper pours ...

Applied Materials

Mechanical Engineer III

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$124K - $171K/yr

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce ... Experience with special coatings such as ceramic/polymer coatings and hard anodize * Working ...

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All JobsCeramic Engineer JobsCeramic Engineer Jobs in California

Ceramic Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$59.2K

$67.6K

How much do ceramic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for ceramic engineer in California is $59,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,300.00 and $64,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Ceramic Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Ceramic Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, chemistry, and engineering principles, typically backed by at least a bachelor's degree in ceramic engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and computer-aided design (CAD) software, as well as knowledge of relevant industry standards, is important. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top performers apart. These skills and qualifications are essential for developing innovative ceramic materials and ensuring their successful application in industries such as electronics, aerospace, and manufacturing.

What is the difference between Ceramic Engineer vs Materials Engineer?

AspectCeramic EngineerMaterials Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Ceramic Engineering or Materials ScienceBachelor's in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or related field
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, research labs, quality controlManufacturing, R&D, quality assurance across various industries
Industry UsageSpecialized in ceramics for electronics, aerospace, biomedicalBroader focus on metals, polymers, ceramics, composites

While both roles involve materials science, Ceramic Engineers specialize in ceramics and their applications, working primarily in manufacturing and research related to ceramic materials. Materials Engineers have a broader scope, working with various materials including metals, polymers, and ceramics across multiple industries.

What are some common challenges faced by Ceramic Engineers during the material development process?

Ceramic Engineers often encounter challenges related to achieving the desired balance between strength, durability, and manufacturability of ceramic materials. Controlling impurities, minimizing defects during firing, and ensuring consistency in large-scale production can be complex. Additionally, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to meet specific performance requirements for industries like aerospace or electronics requires clear communication and adaptability. Staying current with advancements in materials science is also essential for overcoming these challenges effectively.

What are Ceramic Engineers?

Ceramic Engineers are professionals who research, develop, and manufacture products made from non-metallic minerals, such as ceramics, glass, and advanced materials. They work on designing and improving materials for a variety of uses, including electronics, medical devices, aerospace components, and building materials. Ceramic Engineers combine knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering to solve problems related to heat resistance, durability, and performance of ceramic materials. They often collaborate with scientists and other engineers to create innovative solutions for modern industries.

What Is a Ceramic Engineer?

The job of a ceramic engineer is to convert ceramic materials into usable products and structures. Common job duties include planning projects, supervising other engineers, and analyzing test results. They work with a range of materials, including glass and composites. Ceramic engineers must be knowledgeable about a variety of techniques, including sintering. An understanding of the chemical properties of a material is equally important. They need strong communication, management, and technical skills to excel in this career. Additional qualifications include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, and work experience in a related industry.

More about Ceramic Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Ceramic Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Ceramic Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Ceramic Engineer jobs in California? For Ceramic Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Ceramic Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Ceramic Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Ceramic Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Ceramic Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Ceramic Engineer jobs in CA? For Ceramic Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Ceramic Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ceramic Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $59,214 per year, or $28.5 per hour.
Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

TAD PGS, Inc

Long Beach, CA

$50 - $70/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

PDS is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join a leading Company located in the Long Beach, CA or Centennial, CO surrounding area.

Pay Rate: $50.00 - $70.00

**US Citizenship is required.**
**Candidate must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.**

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing and developing flight hardware for some of the most technically demanding programs in the defense aerospace industry. From interceptor systems and kill vehicles to hypersonic flight vehicles, you will engineer mechanical systems that must perform flawlessly in extreme thermal, aerodynamic, and high-g environments - building the hardware that matters most when it counts.

Job Responsibilities:
  • Support the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical structures and assemblies for interceptor systems, kill vehicles, and hypersonic flight vehicles, ensuring designs meet performance, mass, survivability, and reliability requirements.
  • Assist in the development of flight vehicle structural systems from concept and trade studies through prototyping and hardware delivery, under the guidance of senior engineers.
  • Support the design of primary and secondary airframe structures for high-dynamic-pressure, high-g maneuver, and thermally coupled hypersonic flight environments, including aerodynamic loading, vibration, and shock.
  • Contribute to the packaging and integration of guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) hardware, seeker assemblies, and sensor systems within flight vehicle structures, with consideration for optical alignment, vibration isolation, EMI shielding, and thermal management.
  • Assist in the design and application of thermal protection system (TPS) components and high-temperature structural assemblies for hypersonic and re-entry environments, including exposure to ablative, ceramic, and composite TPS materials.
  • Support propulsion system mechanical integration efforts, including solid rocket motor structural interfaces, divert and attitude control system (DACS) packaging, and nozzle and thrust vector control (TVC) structural interfaces.
  • Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models and drawings for flight vehicle components, subsystems, and assemblies using NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks.
  • Create accurate piece part and assembly drawings with proper application of GD&T standards.
  • Support design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) by preparing technical documentation, design rationales, and interface control documents.
  • Assist in the development and execution of structural and environmental test plans to support hardware qualification and acceptance activities.
  • Work within configuration management systems and PLM/MES tools to maintain design integrity and documentation traceability.

Basic Hiring Criteria:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • 1-4 years of professional experience in mechanical design, preferably within missile defense, hypersonic systems, defense aerospace, or a related industry.
  • Exposure to or coursework in missile systems, hypersonic vehicle design, or high-performance flight vehicle structures, including aerodynamic loading, thermal-structural coupling, or re-entry environments.
  • Hands-on experience with 3D CAD modeling and drawing creation in NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks.
  • Working knowledge of GD&T principles and their application to piece part and assembly drawings.
  • Familiarity with structural and mechanical design principles, including load paths, joints, and materials selection relevant to high-dynamic-pressure and thermally demanding flight environments.
  • Exposure to guidance or seeker packaging concepts, including sensor integration constraints, vibration isolation, optical alignment, and EMI management.
  • Familiarity with high-temperature materials or TPS concepts used in hypersonic or re-entry applications.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience designing hardware for high-performance flight environments, including considerations for aerodynamic heating, high-g loading, shock, and vibration.
  • Familiarity with interceptor, kill vehicle, or re-entry system hardware, including mass-constrained structures and precision seeker or sensor integration.
  • Exposure to TPS design or high-temperature materials, including ablative, ceramic, or composite systems used in hypersonic or re-entry applications.
  • Familiarity with hypersonic flight vehicle aeroshell design concepts, including structural joints under aeroheating and TPS panel integration.
  • Exposure to propulsion system mechanical integration, including solid rocket motor, DACS, or TVC interface design.
  • Familiarity with structural analysis methods or FEA tools (e.g., NASTRAN, Ansys) and ability to interpret results in support of design decisions.
  • Background in or exposure to spacecraft or satellite mechanical design, with ability to apply crossover principles from space environment hardware to missile defense applications.
  • Familiarity with relevant defense and aerospace standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1540, MIL-SPEC, AIAA S-110).
  • Exposure to full hardware lifecycle, from concept and design through fabrication, assembly, and test.
  • Familiarity with configuration management and PLM tools (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill) and engineering change processes.
  • Experience working in a startup or fast-paced defense environment with compressed development timelines.
  • Active U.S. security clearance or ability and willingness to obtain one.

This position requires access to technologies and hardware subject to US national security-based export control requirements. All applicants must be US Persons (8 USC 1324b(a)(3)), or otherwise authorized by the U.S. Government. No company sponsorship will be offered.
Benefits offered vary by contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, and affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

  • The California Fair Chance Act
  • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
  • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
  • San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance