ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Material Science Engineering Jobs in Reston, VA

MATSYS

Engineering Technician

Sterling, VA · On-site

They will work alongside scientists and engineers to collaboratively develop and produce advanced material compositions for wide-ranging applications at the cutting-edge of materials science research.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEntry Level Material Science Engineering JobsEntry Level Material Science Engineering Jobs in Reston, VA

Entry Level Material Science Engineering information

See Reston, VA salary details

$14

$27

$46

How much do entry level material science engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level material science engineering in Reston, VA is $27.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.24 and $34.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Material Science Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, chemistry, or engineering, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, materials characterization tools (such as SEM, XRD, or spectroscopy), and CAD software is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this field. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring precise material analysis, innovative problem-solving, and successful collaboration on engineering projects.

What does an entry level material science engineer do?

An entry level material science engineer assists in the research, development, and testing of materials used to create products and structures. They typically work under the supervision of experienced engineers to analyze material properties, conduct experiments, and help improve manufacturing processes. Their responsibilities may include preparing samples, running laboratory tests, recording data, and supporting the design of new materials for specific applications such as aerospace, electronics, or energy. These engineers play a crucial role in helping organizations develop innovative and efficient materials. The position usually requires a bachelor's degree in material science, engineering, or a related field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Material Science Engineering vs Entry Level Metallurgical Engineering?

AspectEntry Level Material Science EngineeringEntry Level Metallurgical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Materials Science, Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's in Metallurgical Engineering or Materials Science
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing plants, R&D departmentsMining sites, metal production facilities, manufacturing plants
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer productsMining, metal extraction, alloy development, manufacturing

Entry Level Material Science Engineering and Entry Level Metallurgical Engineering share foundational knowledge and often overlap in industries like manufacturing and R&D. However, Material Science focuses more on the properties and applications of materials, while Metallurgical Engineering emphasizes metal extraction and processing. Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree and involve work in labs or industrial settings, but their specific industry applications differ slightly.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as an entry-level material science engineer?

As an entry-level material science engineer, you will typically assist in the development, testing, and analysis of materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, or composites. Your daily tasks may include preparing samples, conducting laboratory experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and supporting senior engineers in research or product development projects. You’ll also collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, such as mechanical and chemical engineers, to solve materials-related challenges and improve product performance. This hands-on experience is invaluable and often serves as a springboard for more advanced roles in research, quality assurance, or product design.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Material Science Engineering jobs in Reston, VA? For Entry Level Material Science Engineering jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Material Science Engineering jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Material Science Engineering jobs in Reston, VA are:
Entry Level Material Science Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Material Science Engineering job openings in Reston, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,810 per year, or $27.8 per hour.
Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004207)

Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004207)

Johns Hopkins University

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$53K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Johns Hopkins Medicine rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 202 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 875 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Description
PREP Research Associate
CHIPS Funded Project.
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research Title:
PREP0004207 - 672.01 - On-wafer complex permittivity measurements of materials
The work will entail:
This PREP position focuses on developing traceable standards for 5G, 6G, and beyond. The position requires finite element simulations, programming, network analysis, dimensional metrology, and other skills. The position will use on-wafer and resonator methods to develop standards for mmWave industry to validate the authenticity of integrated circuits and materials.
U.S. Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
• The PREP student will coordinate all stakeholder engagement to understand industries need and coordinate regular updates to solicit feedback.
• The PREP student will design, simulate, and assemble on-wafer electronics for mmWave test and measurement.
• The PREP student will design, simulate, and assemble resonator methods for mmWave test and measurement.
• With the measurement systems integrated, the PREP student will perform all measurements and analysis on the data.
• In coordination with NIST researcher, the PREP student will develop and carry out on-wafer metrology.
Qualifications
• A PhD degree in Materials Science Engineering, or a related field.
• 2 years of relevant experience with microelectronic fabrication.
• Familiarity with programming in MATLAB and Python.
• Experience with finite element simulations in ANSYS or COMSOL.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
Application Instructions
Please upload the following with your application:
• CV/Resume
*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume.
• Self portraits
• Phone number
• Home address/Country
• Citizenship status
• Languages spoken
• Sex/Gender
• Privacy Act Statement
Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

What Johns Hopkins Medicine employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply