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Entry Level Material Science Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Confluent Medical

Materials Handler I

Warwick, RI

$16.25 - $27/hr

... material science, engineering, and manufacturing. Our primary capabilities include Nitinol components, balloon expandable stents and balloon catheters, delivery systems, biomedical textiles, access ...

IPG Photonics

Material Scientist

Marlborough, MA · On-site

IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading ... Material Science, Chemistry or Physics • Knowledge of materials and surface science • ...

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Entry Level Material Science Engineering information

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

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level material science engineering in the United States is $26.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $32.93 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.
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Entry Level Material Science Engineering jobs near you

AI Residency Program, Material Science (2026 Cohort)

Lila Sciences

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

AI Resident - 2026 Cohort
The AI Residency Program is a full-time research opportunity designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industry applications in AI for materials science. Residents will work closely with Lila scientists and engineers on high-impact, open-science projects, with the option to focus on either fundamental or applied research.
  • Duration: 6-12 months (extension possible)
  • Start Dates: First hires beginning January 2026, with rolling applications and additional intakes in Summer and Fall 2026
  • Cohort Size: Small group of selected residents
  • Mentorship: Pairing with technical mentors, feedback from cross-functional teams
  • Resources: Access to proprietary datasets, high-performance compute, and Lila's research infrastructure

Research areas include ML-accelerated simulations, Bayesian methods, representation learning, generative models, agentic science, and ML-driven automation.
Application Requirement:
Please submit your resume alongside a research proposal (up to 3 pages, unlimited references) outlining the project you would plan to pursue during your residency at Lila Sciences. Please submit your research proposal as your cover letter. Applications without both documents will not be considered. Optional supporting materials (e.g., recommendation letters, publications, research artifacts) may also be included.
Your Impact at Lila
The Lila Sciences AI Residency is a full-time research program at the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials science. As a resident, you'll join a cohort of researchers tackling open-ended scientific challenges alongside Lila's world-class team of scientists and engineers. With access to proprietary datasets, high-performance compute infrastructure, and experienced mentors, you'll pursue ambitious research projects with both academic and real-world impact. Publishing is encouraged but not required - what matters most is pushing the frontier of scientific discovery.
What You'll Be Building
  • Design and execute independent research projects in AI for materials science
  • Collaborate with Lila scientists and engineers on cutting-edge, open-science initiatives
  • Explore domains such as ML-accelerated simulations, Bayesian methods, representation learning, generative AI, agentic science, and ML-driven automation
  • Contribute to collaborative team research and co-develop novel approaches to scientific discovery
  • Share findings internally and externally; publications are welcome but not mandatory

What You'll Need to Succeed
  • Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, AI/ML, Physics, Mathematics, or related field (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD)
  • Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch)
  • Experience working with large-scale datasets or simulations
  • Familiarity with modern AI/ML architectures and training techniques
  • Strong research background, demonstrated through publications, thesis work, or open-source projects

Bonus Points For
  • Prior work on ML applications in scientific domains (e.g., materials discovery, chemistry, simulations)
  • Familiarity with Bayesian optimization, active learning, or generative models
  • Experience in reinforcement learning or agent-based approaches to scientific reasoning
  • Open-source contributions or collaborative research experience
  • Strong communication and writing skills, especially for conveying complex scientific ideas

About LILA
Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.
LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. Learn more at www.lila.ai.
Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.
We're All In
Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.
Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.
A Note to Agencies
Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science's internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

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