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Ceramic Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

AI/ML Engineer Specialist

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$208K - $381K/yr

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented AI/ML Engineer Specialist to join our team. On-site at the Pentagon. Summary: Join a dynamic and diverse team at an industry-leading ...

AI/ML Engineer Specialist

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$208K - $381K/yr

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Subject Matter Expert (SME) AI/ML Engineer t o join our team. On-site at the Pentagon. Summary: Join a dynamic and diverse team at an industry ...

Considers the properties of various textile, chemical, plastic, ceramic, metallic and synthetic ... Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or equivalent and 10 years of relevant experience. Must have a DOD ...

Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the ... Applies engineering principles and practices to accomplish technical assignments and mitigate risks ...

Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the ... Applies engineering principles and practices to accomplish technical assignments and mitigate risks ...

... glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of ... Applies engineering principles and practices to accomplish technical assignments and mitigate risks ...

Set up molds, dyes, and tooling for injection molding, ceramic casting, or similar molding ... engineering expertise with strict quality and testing standards. Team members work in a structured ...

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Ceramic Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$49.1K

$59.5K

$67.9K

How much do ceramic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for ceramic engineer in Virginia is $59,485.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $64,400.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Ceramic Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Ceramic Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Ceramic Engineer jobs in VA? For Ceramic Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Ceramic Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $59,485 per year, or $28.6 per hour.
Principal Ceramic Engineer (Onsite)

Principal Ceramic Engineer (Onsite)

Pratt & Whitney

Charlottesville, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Pratt & Whitney rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 154 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 61 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-04-01

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-VA-CHARLOTTESVILLE-1180 ~ 1180 Seminole Trl ~ SEMINOLE

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. 

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power systems and has been revolutionizing modern flight for over 100 years. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do:

Pratt & Whitney Mikro Systems manufactures ceramic cores and tooling for turbine castings. Mikro Systems uses a manufacturing process that produces intricate, advanced ceramic cores.  Our innovative processes are evolving to keep pace with continually progressing turbine designs. The Mikro team is seeking a talented Ceramic Engineer who can support the design of innovative ceramic systems that challenge the current state of the art in the world of precision investment castings.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Innovate with novel ceramic formulations and processes to support new core product designs. 
  • Support ceramic core development to understand correlations between ceramic core material formulations and ceramic manufacturing techniques. 
  • Provide Operations support and assist with Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) process for issues arising from ceramic materials.
  • Support and/or participate in Continuous Improvement (CI) events and CORE activities (quality improvement) of ceramic core materials.
  • Develop comprehensive ceramic material qualification procedures and collaborate with the Quality Materials lab to release product for Operations.
  • Collaborate with metal casting source to understand ceramic core compatibility to achieve design intent.

Qualifications You Must Have:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in related or equivalent experience and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in related field and 5 years prior relevant experience.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office computer software including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • US Citizenship required due to government contract.

Qualifications We Prefer:

  • Turbine Blade / Vane knowledge.
  • Knowledge of investment casting and molding tooling design.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with leadership and executive team.
  • Knowledge of polymeric materials: Use in ceramic forming processes (rheology, cure, processing parameters); Characterization & performance testing; Material selection (different polymeric material families, properties)
  • Strong Design of Experiment Methodology and Process Variation Awareness.
  • Experience working various aspects of ceramic material/processing:  Materials (Raw materials & compositions), Forming Techniques (Casting, Injection molding), Firing, and Dimensional Control; Machining, Post processing, and Metal casting interactions; Rheology and Process Parameters; Characterization  of raw materials, ceramic slurries, and resultant product; New Material Selection (families of materials & properties)

Learn More & Apply Now:

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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About Pratt & Whitney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Pratt & Whitney has a long history of leadership and innovation in the field of aviation propulsion. Our story begins in the 1920s and has flourished throughout the decades. We have continuously transformed and reinvented our businesses to offer superior products and services to our customers. In 1925, the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company was founded by Frederick B. Rentschler, pioneer of the air-cooled radial engine design which enabled unprecedented power-to-weight ratio. Its first engine, the R-1340 Wasp engine, transformed military and commercial aviation and is still in use today. In 1928, the Canadian division of the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company was established. In 1944, Pratt & Whitney began its gas turbine and jet propulsion initiative. The company constructed a wind tunnel, laboratory and engineering center to support our allies’ efforts in World War II. In 1945, wartime production included more than 300,000 Pratt & Whitney engines, touted by service members as extremely dependable – a legacy that continues today. From there, Pratt & Whitney continued to design and innovate more powerful, agile, and reliable engines becoming a leader in the aerospace industry. Today, Pratt & Whitney has more than 85,000 engines in service and more than 16,000 customers worldwide.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

East Hartford, CT, US

Year founded

1925