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$30K

$69.4K

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How much do entry level material engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level material engineer in the United States is $69,362.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Material Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Material Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science or engineering, typically with a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with materials characterization tools (such as SEM, XRD), CAD software, and common lab testing protocols is often required. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with colleagues and solve complex problems. These competencies ensure you can contribute to developing and improving materials that meet technical and project requirements.

What are some typical projects and responsibilities for an entry-level material engineer in their first year?

As an entry-level material engineer, you will often work on tasks like conducting materials testing, analyzing data, assisting with the development of prototypes, and preparing technical documentation. You'll likely collaborate closely with senior engineers, quality control teams, and manufacturing staff to support ongoing projects. It's common to be involved in troubleshooting material-related issues and participating in team meetings to discuss project progress and challenges. This role provides a solid foundation for learning industry standards and gaining hands-on experience with different materials and processes.

What does an entry level material engineer do?

An entry level material engineer assists in developing, testing, and evaluating materials used in manufacturing and product design. Their responsibilities often include analyzing material properties, conducting experiments in labs, preparing technical reports, and supporting senior engineers on various projects. They may also help troubleshoot material failures and recommend improvements. This role provides foundational experience in materials science and engineering principles, often working under supervision while gaining practical skills.

What is the difference between Entry Level Material Engineer vs Entry Level Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Material EngineerEntry Level Mechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or related fieldBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing plants, R&D facilitiesDesign offices, manufacturing plants, testing labs
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, electronics, manufacturingAutomotive, aerospace, energy, manufacturing
Common Search IntentEntry Level Material Engineer roles, job requirements, career pathEntry Level Mechanical Engineer roles, job duties, career options

Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree in their respective fields and involve working in manufacturing or R&D environments. While Material Engineers focus on developing and testing materials, Mechanical Engineers design and analyze mechanical systems. Understanding these differences helps job seekers target the right roles based on their skills and interests.

What cities are hiring for Entry Level Material Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Material Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Entry Level Material Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Material Engineer jobs include:
Entry Level Material Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Material Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,362 per year, or $33.3 per hour.

Materials Engineer (Entry Level)

International Automotive Components

Troy, MI

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Kickstart your plastics career by working on real automotive interior programs, supporting material selection, processing trials, launch support, and continuous improvement. This role is handson: you'll run trials, build DOE plans, analyze results, and partner with plants and product engineering to solve quality issues and reduce cost. It's a strong match for grads with a plasticsfocused education grounded in processing, testing, and product development.

What you'll do (you'll use what you learned in plastics school)

  • Support development and implementation of polymer materials (resins, additives, colorants, coatings) for IAC components.
  • Plan and execute trials/DOEs (processing windows, shrink/warp, appearance, performance) and summarize results in clear technical reports.
  • Partner with manufacturing plants to analyze process + quality data, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Provide handson support for launches, warranty/quality topics, and costsaving initiatives (VAVE/Kaizen).
  • Work with suppliers to gather material data and help evaluate new materials/technologies.
  • Interface with customers (OEM materials/engineering teams) by presenting material concepts and performance data.
  • Support sustainability initiatives, including material opportunities and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) activities.

What you'll learn

  • How automotive programs move from concept launch (and how materials decisions affect quality, cost, and timing).
  • How to write strong test plans/test requests, coordinate lab work, and communicate results to engineering and manufacturing.
  • How to connect processing conditions to part performance (shrinkage, appearance, mechanical properties) and drive fixes quickly.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree (or graduating soon) in Engineering/Science with a plastics focus preferred (Materials, Chemical, Chemistry, Plastics/Polymer/Manufacturing disciplines or equivalent experience).
  • Comfort with handson technical work: trials, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% (plants, suppliers, customer support).
Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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